I’ve been at my job for a year. I went to work for the sister company of my former employer, and as a credit person have 20 years experience, my former job as a credit manager. I left the other company and eventually ended up working for the sister company, where I am now. In the beginning, I was partnered with a woman to train me. Because I had lots of experience, basically, all the training I needed was how to navigate their slightly different computer system. Within a week, Cheryl (my partner) had me out in the hall telling me if I knew so much, why didn’t I just take the biggest account in our shared portfolio. I pacified her and we continued to work together, still with misunderstandings. When I started, Cheryl told me about the possible $100/mo bonus, but said that we’d rarely make bonus. We made it five out of the first six months I was there. After a blow up about a (to me) totally innocent question regarding one of her accounts (she was taking one of her numerous sick days and I didn’t understand what was going on) she stormed into our boss’s office and demanded we be split up. I talk to the boss and he’s dismissive of her complaints but splits us up. So I ended up with the company’s largest account and she gets a bunch of piddley accounts to work. I continue to try to be cordial, although not discussing her accounts. I continue to have to back her up in absences, which are really beginning to escalate. She stops getting her bonus. So today I’m told that she’s moving from the desk next to mine to another empty cube. I ask my boss and he confirms she’s doing it to get away from me. I haven’t had time to discuss with him what it’s all about but I’m stymied.
I’ve rarely run across people that I can’t work with. I’m generally quiet and polite, innocuous enough. I haven’t said a bad word about this woman to anyone, including our boss. I’ve always figured actions spoke louder than words, and whining about grievances will get you nowhere. I have tried to put my Christianity in action and turn the other cheek, hoping that sooner or later she’d see I’m not a threat. I just don’t know what to do now. She’s making my work life uncomfortable. I had my review last week, and all the feedback I got from my boss was positive, with an “Exceeds Requirements” (highest score) overall. I’m relatively happy there, except for this situation.
Sounds like she’s got an inferiority complex and is taking it out on you.
Just ignore her. There is nothing you can do and since she’s moving to a different cubicle, doesn’t sound like you have any reason to speak to her at all since your work is now seperated.
And since your Boss seems to know your value, her petty behaviour is best ignored.
Considering your superlative review, you should have no concerns about your perception to managment. Ms. Cow-orker has mental problems and is best ignored.
Heheeeee, gosh that was funny. I saw it before me with StGermain as Xena and Co-worker woman as Rosanne Barr. The two of them standing by the water cooler talking about the weather. Suddenly StGermains eyes lock on Rosannes. You know, you can run but you can’t hide honey…
Seriously, unless the lady has mental problems it’s not only her fault. It never is just one persons fault when two people don’t get along. She obviously perceives you as a threat as you have already stated. If you are interested in getting along with this lady (are you really, should you?) you need to think about what signals you are sending her and adjust a bit.
The best solution is just talk to her and state that you sense that she sees you as a threat and that you wish to understand why this is so that you can get along with her better.
Then again, do you really want to go through the effort? Can it be that you’d lie to get the biggest accounts and still have her liking you? Sounds a bit like that to me. That’s going to be really hard without using mind altering drugs…
I understand that she’s the one with the problem, but if she spreads her vituperitive enmity throughout the office, and not to just our boss, it could affect my working relationship with my fellow co-workers, as well. I can handle it if someone doesn’t like me - there are people I don’t like in this world. But in my dislike I don’t try to harm them - ignoring is usually the best policy - let them go their way and I’ll go mine. She doesn’t seem willing to do that.
I’m going to talk to the boss today and find out what the deal is. I honestly don’t care if I have the biggest accounts, although I’m glad I wasn’t stuck with the dreck I percieve her accounts to be.
Let her spread all the lies & venom she wants. Ignore it. If you can, ignore her. When the gossips see that she’s the only one who has a problem with you, they’ll figure out who’s the ‘real’ office problem.
In the meanwhile, perhaps she’ll develop a nice nervous twitch.
Well, I just spoke with my boss. It seems she got really dinged in her performance evaluation, in part because of her unwillingness to act as a “team member”, not only with me, but with other members of our department. He again reiterated that he in no way felt her behaviour reflected poorly on me, but instead moved her outside his office so he could keep an eye on her. Hopefully physically removing her from my presence will lessen the threat she perceives from me.
Heheeeee, gosh that was funny. I saw it before me with StGermain as Xena and Co-worker woman as Rosanne Barr. The two of them standing by the water cooler talking about the weather. Suddenly StGermains eyes lock on Rosannes.