Colleague telling tales

MildredW

Hi,
I have a small problem and would like some advice on how to manage it.

I've been in my job for 9 months now and am still on a temporary contract. There is a fella that has been working in the same job for a good few years. From the very start he seemed to take an instant disliking to me for whatever reason, I have never given him any reason not to like me as I just try and keep my head down and be polite to anyone I work with. I am just there to work and really just want to get on with my day and go home with no issues.

But.....
He keeps telling tales to the boss about me and even though we are hired to do the same job he feels like he can tell me what to do and when including when I can go home and take my lunch. He is in no way over me and our job description is the same.

Just one example is last week, it was uncovered that there was a wrong number entered into the computer for the stock. He rushed off to check it, came back then laughing saying that it was him that made the mistake but he had been 95% sure it had been me! He just laughed it off and that was the end of it. Fair enough everyone makes mistakes now and then, it happens. Come today and while doing a stock check i miscalculated one figure. He had gone to check up on me (as he does with every job I'm given), discovered what i had done but instead of just coming to me to tell me, he went straight to the manager who then tells me that he told him it was wrong and that I need to do it again. Fair enough, I was wrong but I feel like he is trying to make my life as difficult as possible, by telling tales to get me in trouble on simple things that can be easily rectified.

It almost as if he is going out of his way to try and catch me out on things but when it's him that makes a mistake, its a different story. I do not want to be running to my boss when he does something wrong, as i think it looks petty.

Any advice on how to deal with him? this is just one example of his behavior, but its really winding me up. Also as I am still on a temporary contract i do not want to rock the boat too much as I do not want to lose my job. He also gets on very well with the manager so this makes it a bit more awkward. Thanks for reading this far and any advice is appreciated.

SingItOut

My guess is he feels as though his job is being threatening by the company hiring you. Either way his behaviour is not acceptable. He is not your boss, manager or supervisor and therefore has no business telling you what to do and what not to do. Go to your manager and explain everything that has been going on otherwise it will just continue

TwoGallants

I used to work in a supermarket years ago. This was this older lady who really really disliked me, to this day I'm still not sure why. I got on really well with everyone else. Anyway, she would always run up to the manager anytime I did something wrong or sloppy (which wasn't often to be honest, but she always made a big deal out of it). My manager basically told me that she had some kind of vendetta against me... So anyway, I didn't do anything about it because I left (for a much better job). To this day I wish I had of confronted her.

People like this are petty, horrible creeps and they take pleasure in making other people's lives a misery. He is effectively bullying you. I know you're on a temp contract, but if you're made permanent, I would suggest that you ask your manager to either relocate you or him and it is clear you cannot continue to work with this toxic individual.

Chucky the tree

When does your temp contract finish? If the co-worker and boss get on well then I'd never make a complaint about him while on a temp contract unless I didn't want my contract to be renewed. IF he's telling you what to do then simply tell him he's not your manager.

P. Breathnach

You could ask your manager for clarification on whether this colleague has a supervisory role in relation to you or not. Any manager worth his or her salt will take a cue from the question and progress things from there.

Cunning Stunt

P. Breathnach wrote: »

You could ask your manager for clarification on whether this colleague has a supervisory role in relation to you or not. Any manager worth his or her salt will take a cue from the question and progress things from there.

Also, you should tell the manager that you find it unfair your colleague doesn't just ask you about any mistakes you may have made, instead of running to the boss with them. Your manager should also realize that that kind of carry on is also inappropriate.

Big Bag of Chips

People like him have form, and others, like your boss, are usually fairly clued in to it. If your boss isn't dragging you in everyday, giving you a telling off for all these "wrong-doings", then you can be fairly certain he knows the score.

Yer man sounds like a nuisance.. and you are hardly the only one to notice. I think the boss telling him, to tell you to recalculate the figure was more the boss telling him to stop bothering him with every tiny detail and just get on with the work.

Some people have a heightened sense of importance, and need to make themselves out to be something they're not. He brought the bosses response back to you in a sort of "I'm the right-hand man around here and the boss trusts me to do things" way. Whereas the boss probably said "ok, he made a mistake, did you let him know? No? Why not? Just tell him now (and don't be bothering me with trivial things that are quickly and easily sorted)"

tatli_lokma

OP have you considered the fact that you are only on a temp contract and possibly whilst the other person isn't your official supervisor, they have been asked to keep an eye on you?

I have worked somewhere that due to illness a position was vacant for almost 2 years and could only be filled by a temp. During that time there were several temps who came and went, because understandably when they got a permanent job they took it. The person working along side the temps got very frustrated because every time a temp started she had to train them, knowing probably they wouldn't be staying. Also some temps had a crap attitude as in 'I'm only a temp, I can't be too bothered' so jobs would be done halfheartedly. This would then fall back on her to rectify.

Could there be any possiblity of something similar in your place? And like I say, possibly they have been unofficially tasked by management to keep an eye on you. Just because you think you are doing a great job, doesn't necessarily mean you are or that you can't improve. At the very least how you deal with this will reflect on your interpersonal skills which are just as important as any other skills you use in work.

You say you keep your head down, perhaps he thinks you are stand offish? Maybe make an effort to make polite small talk from time to time - you would be surprised the difference it can make if you take a bit of an interest in people (or pretend to at least).

I work with someone who is quite, lets say 'prickly' and can seem a bit abrupt. She had responsibility for training new starters, and has a very high work standard. Her job means a lot to her, as does people acknowledging her contribution. When I started I found her quite hard to relate to, but after a few weeks of making a point to thank her when she helped me and asking after her family/what she did at the weekend the ice thawed and working with her became much easier. Its no skin off my nose to be nice and it makes life easier. I could dig my heels in and say 'why should I bother?' but I don't do it for her sake or to be twofaced, but to make my work environment less stressful.

just something to consider.

If failing all that you find he is still being unfair to you, then professionally and politely approach him. Say that you feel that you must be doing something which has put you on his wrong side and what can you do to rectify this. The ball is then in his court. If he says that there is nothing, then point out that on occasion he seems over critical of you and this makes you feel uncomfortable. Let him then respond - he will either agree and tell you why or disagree and get all passive aggressive. If its the latter, then informally ask to have a chat with your boss. Advise him that things are a little strained between you and your colleague and that you have tried to informally have a chat with him to resolve the situation to no avail and you would like your bosses advice on what action to take next. This way you are not pointing the finger or telling tales, but making it clear that you do not appreciate your colleag ues behaviour towards you and want it resolved in a professional way. For all you know the boss might have asked him to keep an eye on you, and the power has somewhat gone to his head. But you need to be careful how you handle it - this person is permanent and you are a temp, so even if you are in the right and he is in the wrong if it comes to it, you are easier to get rid of than him so you need to box clever.

Matteroffact

There is someone like this in most jobs, but because you are on a contract you have to cowtow to everyone around you, whether it is fair or not, because it is the only way to get on. Sometimes we have to bite our lip and just say nothing and get on with it. Be as friendly with this guy as you can because that is the only way he will change towards you. If you go against him things will only get worse for you. At the moment the boss will take his word against yours so try and adopt the attitude that this challenge is part of the job, so do your utmost to get on with this guy.

If nothing you do works then have that discussion with your boss, but try everything else first, because if your boss gets the impression that you don't fit in then you will be out the door no matter how efficient you are. You could also have a discussion with this guy too and ask him how he thinks you might improve. This might gall you but just do it anyway because if you get on the right side of this guy he will pass on to the boss that you are a good worker and a good team player. It would be worth it in the long run. Once you are permanent you can then relax.

bp

Would you consider flattering his ego a bit? He maybe he feels threatened about his job. Maybe ask the odd bit of advice or if you make a mistake thank him for noticing and ask advice the odd time.

It's a pain and may not be suitable in your job but it's worth a try. Also be super nice, ask about plans or something he is interested in.

Maybe he has had trouble in his job and now is worried about it. Then again some people are just pr*cks and unfortunately nothing can be done :-(

mashedbanana

Sounds like the manager may have asked this fella to keep 'an eye' on you and to report back. Of course it's probably gone to his head, and doesn't mind letting you know. No guarantee that the manager would confirm this though!

But if this fella is watching our every move, it makes the managers job somewhat easier. & the fella your working with is a 'company man' make no mistake.

He might have a grudge against you, as he may have had someone else lined up for that position. A friend, family etc.

You have managed to keep your position for the last 9 months though. So keep the cool, don't rock the boat too much.

jantheman91

You can continue to do things perfectly and really start to wind him up or you can report him.

I'd suggest reporting him as it seems you're finding it difficult to continue as necessary with him hovering around you.

Personally, i'd make sure I done things meticulously and grew a tougher skin. There'd be nothing more satisfying than having to watch him try his utmost to find flaws in your already perfect work.

I like to teach people a lesson. :P