How do you deal with a bossy coworker?
@amielletherese (197)
Northern Mariana Islands
April 10, 2007 2:43pm CST
I am only new in the company I currently work at. I have this coworker who is older than me and has already been with the company for four years now. At first, she was really helpful and supportive. But as the weeks passed, I noticed she has a habit of passing down her tasks to me. She'll ask me to do what our boss told her to do. She also asks me to do her personal jobs like encode a report for their church, fax out solicitation letters and other non-work related things. A part of me wants to scream when she does this and let her know how insensitive she is. But I am thinking she might not help me anymore with our office tasks which I still need because I am still at the adjustment phase as I have decided to make a career change. Please help! Your advice will be very much appreciated.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@amielletherese (197)
• Northern Mariana Islands
11 Apr 07
Really? I'll definitely include that title when we rent out DVDs this weekend. Thanks huh! :p
1 person likes this
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
10 Apr 07
Ugh, that's awful. I have a bossy coworker that is actually underneath me, but because she is full time and has friends in the "system", she thinks she's the boss of me. I feel like giving her a piece of my mind, but I don't need that aggravation, so I just ignore her and do the work I was supposed to do. I also laugh at her behind her back. I found out that she is basically a spoiled brat and has had everything doted on her by her family.
I would do the work that I am expected to do. Ask your boss to clarify what you are supposed to do and do that first. If your boss says that you are supposed to help her out, then that's your job. Don't do personal stuff for her. If she has no control over whether you can be fired, then refuse to do anything that is not your job.
1 person likes this
@amielletherese (197)
• Northern Mariana Islands
11 Apr 07
Thanks for your advice Desertdarlene! :p You know what, this morning she asked me to do one of her personal stuff again. I pretended I didn't hear her and when she asked again I told her I am very busy and I didn't have time to do it. I realized why would I be scared? She's not the one paying me, right?!!
1 person likes this
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
11 Apr 07
That was good. It's not fair that you have to do her personal stuff on top of your regular work. Sometimes people will be helpful to you in hopes that you will feel obligated to help them back. It's a kind of manipulation.
@amielletherese (197)
• Northern Mariana Islands
13 Apr 07
Your right! I kinda have a feeling now that she's doing it to test how far can she go in manipulating me. Thanks darlene! :p
1 person likes this
