I’m sorry to be bombarding you with so so rants but right now I am fuming and it’s too damn late to call anybody and vent.
Setup:
I work a night shift in a law firm (from 16h00 to 23h30). It’s a new job, I’ve had two months. So far I have managed to stay away from arguments (I work mostly alone) and I’ve also made a good impression with the lawyers. I am assigned a floor and the lazy fat bitch I work with is assigned the other floor.
It seems that after two requests, she sends the lawyers my way, and me the professional idiot that I am get stucks with the work. Now I would not be this pissed of, it right now it wasn’t 1h30 in the morning and I’m still not finished with the work I have to do because she sent someone to me for work earlier on tonight. Around 22h30 I called her asking if she was in a rush, she asked why? DUH why the fuck do you think… I NEED HELP… .well have I a few things to finish, and I get off work at 23h00. OK OK fine, I hang up the phone. I got down at 23h15, SHE’S FUCKING PLAYING CARDS, I got back at 00h30 to insert little tabs in binders and guess what?? That bitch is still playing card, she doesn’t want to go home, it’s too hot outside and I don’t have AC.
And she’s always surprised to see me running around, working and seems totally oblivious to the fact that I can see her playing cards.
I have spoken to my boss about this (no it’s not the first time and I’m new here…). She told me that this bitch is protected by the Office Partner, and the fact that she’s not very energetic comes from the fact that she’s fat… HOLY SHIT SO AM I…
I have no idea how do deal with this situation, I don’t want to do like her, cause I like for once not being the screwup, but how can I get her too move her ass.
It really sucks to be the one picking up the slack for a lazy-ass co-worker. All you can really do is keep (politely) pointing out to your superiors that you’re the one doing the work and she’s the one playing cards (and getting paid for her slack-time, I’ll bet).
Eventually, the powers that be will notice that there’s something wrong with the situation and you’ll come out of it smelling like a rose.
And why are you apologizing? I think you’re an excellent writer. Here is my critique:
–Excellent narrative skills. Easy for the reader to follow.
–Just the right level of detail.
–Good sense of the absurd.
–Profanity used sparingly–no profanity for profanity’s sake.
–Judicious use of smilies.
–Just plain funny
If she has work that is her responsibility, make sure it STAYS her responsibility. If a lawyer comes to you with things that are supposed to be hers, tell them politely that it is her work, not yours. Let them escalate the problem to your manager, that’s what she’s there for.
At some point your manager has to step up to the plate and do something about it. Until then, let everybody bug her with escalations regarding your lazy coworker.
With this slight modification:
When “her” lawyers come to you asking for help, don’t point a finger at the other person (never a good idea with someone who’s “protected”). Rather, explain to them that you’d like to help, but you’re already “full up” with the work you have for the people you’re assigned to be supporting.
Save your “pitching in” for whan it’s a real jam and then you’ll come across as a team player. Doing it all the time tends to just make you look like a push-over.
And yes, if you do this and it cotinues to be a problem - e.g. if you end up looking bad for the work not getting done, not her, then it becomes you manager’s business to take this up. That is (part of) her job.
With this slight modification:
When “her” lawyers come to you asking for help, don’t point a finger at the other person (never a good idea with someone who’s “protected”). Rather, explain to them that you’d like to help, but you’re already “full up” with the work you have for the people you’re assigned to be supporting.
Save your “pitching in” for whan it’s a real jam and then you’ll come across as a team player. Doing it all the time tends to just make you look like a push-over.
And yes, if you do this and it cotinues to be a problem - e.g. if you end up looking bad for the work not getting done, not her, then it becomes you manager’s business to take this up. That is (part of) her job.
With this slight modification:
When “her” lawyers come to you asking for help, don’t point a finger at the other person (never a good idea with someone who’s “protected”). Rather, explain to them that you’d like to help, but you’re already “full up” with the work you have for the people you’re assigned to be supporting.
Save your “pitching in” for whan it’s a real jam and then you’ll come across as a team player. Doing it all the time tends to just make you look like a push-over.
And yes, if you do this and it cotinues to be a problem - e.g. if you end up looking bad for the work not getting done, not her, then it becomes you manager’s business to take this up. That is (part of) her job.
With this slight modification:
When “her” lawyers come to you asking for help, don’t point a finger at the other person (never a good idea with someone who’s “protected”). Rather, explain to them that you’d like to help, but you’re already “full up” with the work you have for the people you’re assigned to be supporting.
Save your “pitching in” for whan it’s a real jam and then you’ll come across as a team player. Doing it all the time tends to just make you look like a push-over.
And yes, if you do this and it cotinues to be a problem - e.g. if you end up looking bad for the work not getting done, not her, then it becomes you manager’s business to take this up. That is (part of) her job.
I know you guys are right but I find hard to just stand by and look at the ball drop without trying to pick it up. Then again maybe I am a push over.
Well after a good night sleep, I am a lot calmer and ready to face another night of her playing cards and hopefully a quieter night for me!!!
Thanks GreenBean for that, it was nice of you to say, probably what I needed to engage in more “serious” discussion on this board instead of just verbally repling to my screen:D
You should feel bad about not helping someone with their work… . but only if they are actually trying.
Imagine a lawyer who brings you work early on, tries not to load you up in the last 1/2 hour of your worktime, seems appreciative of the work you do, etc. When she does bring you a late project that needs to be done yesterday, you will probably try your darndest to get it done for her. Why? Because she has earned you going the extra mile for her.
Now imagine that this same lawyer always brings you projects that are on a rush basis, always makes you stay late to cover up for her lack of planning, etc. You are not going to go the extra distance to help her, because she has not treated you with respect.
The same with the co-worker. She is certainly not earning any favors from you. Don’t feel bad about not helping her out.
I agree with not rocking the boat about her specifically. She’ll just get the Sr. Partner against you. Do your work well and efficiently, and try to avoid taking on her work. If possible, try to quantify how much work you do. When the bosses see, bottom line, that you are making them more money than her, you will be properly rewarded.
Do they exist? My experience with lawyers (not much - from some litigation support assignments) is that anything that isn’t finished 6:00am on the morning its due was poorly planned and thought out. Every time. I always thought the project manager fully planned out the 2:00am revamp
