my job

[mikeybhoy]

Hey, I have a problem with my job.

I absolutely love the job that im doing. I work as a service advisor/service admin for a truck and van dealership (but dont get the luxuries), but the problem that i have is that i get on absolutely great with everyone that works in the building, apart from one person who thinks that he is gods answer to everything and basically treats everyone like crap behind there backs... more so with myself telling me what to do and what not to do even tho ive worked there alot longer than him. The problem I have is that i am finding it very hard to say anything because he has got so far up the bosses a**e that it has made it hard for me to say anything to the boss to get it sorted out. Its making me want to the leave the job i love. please can anyone help. what should i do??

mikeybhoy :o)

[Scarlett]

I REALLY sympahise. It is totally horrible when one person spoils the job you used to love. This has happened to me too. All I can suggest is that you wait until you have an appraisal with your boss, and explain that you are seriously considering leaving because of this person, and does he have any suggestions. Say that you know it is not the done thing to discuss other colleagues, but you really have been driven to telling your boss how you feel. Your boss is probably completely aware of what this bloke is like, and will be on your side. Other than that, it is usually inevitable that the horrible person leaves, or somehow is forced to leave, in my experience. Nasty people usually get what is coming to them! You just have to be patient, and try not to rise to their bait. Keep out of his way and have a good time with the people that you DO like. Good luck.

[Bangkok]

In addition to the appraisal, you could consider talking to a trusted colleague if you think they feel the same way.  It has the potential risk that you may be seen as stirring trouble, but the possible advantage is that most bosses would listen to two or more staff, but would find it easy to ignore the comments of one member of staff.

It does require some thought and planning, because if it goes wrong (eg the person you talk to tells the person you are talking about) then it would make your working life very unpleasant.

You don't say whether this person has any formal management responsibility.  Either way, you should always be seen to be acting professionally - if they have the opportunity to twist a situation it could reflect badly on you I'm afraid.

[Hippy]

This person is actually putting on an act to cover their lack of experience and knowledge, and their boss bum tonguing confirms this. To keep the "underlings" on their toes they combine being close to the boss and bullying.

Never forget, ALL bullies are cowards and very weak people. In comparison, you are strong as you know your job, and get on well with others (the bully doesn't!). All you need is to be right all the time and not rise to the bully bait.

If you complain about this person's behaviour you must be sure of everything. Invest in a small mini disc recorder and record their confrontations with you, transcribing this to a diary, noting other things that happened where this person acts in an unreasonable, unprofessional and possibly illegal manner. You will then need to decide what to do next. (a) Take the complaint and just the existence of the evidence to the boss for a calm and rational discussion. When he knows that you have evidence, he cannot sack you or he will expose his company to the wrath of an Industrial Tribunal. (b) Take your evidence to the Citizens' Advice Bureau, for advice on steps you can take whilst keeping your job. Complaining to the boss after the CAB visit will give you more clout with legal backing from the CAB solicitor's advice.

You could do nothing and smile sweetly at this person, in the hope that they will commit a massive blunder and have to leave. Look out for attempted or actual workplace romantic involvement as this is also in the bully's toolbox. They will likely go for key workers in vulnerable situations e.g. Chief Accountant just dumped by spouse, Personnel Manager bringing up troublesome teenagers alone, you get the picture. This normally spells the beginning of the end.

[Octavius]

If you are a valued of the team by your boss then he should know if your work is suffering as a result of your predicament.  Does anyone else in the firm feel the same?

I have been in a similar situation and I actually confided in one of my directors - they said they knew all along and that they had had words with that person - after a while it seemed to get better and now we work well together and have a general understanding/respect for each others limits and capabilities.  If you are comfortable talking to your boss before it has any detrimental effect on the quality of your work then I would do it.  It is quite likely that he knows the other person is an ass and can't stand drivelling bottom lickers.  If he is immune and thinks the sun shines out of this bottom, then you need to consider whether you can still work for a boss like that.  Either way, you need to act before you get too down.  Good luck.

[Hippy]

This "Editing by Answerbank" is more than a joke. It seems that we are now not permitted to write answers using paragraphs, thus making sense easier to appreciate, and layout easier on the eye.

 

Why give us the facility through the much touted improved text editor, then remove the effects that it produces? What is the real advantage according to Answerbank to have a wadge of grey and forbidding text rather than one thought one paragraph, and those paragraphs separated by a bit of space?

Answers, please.

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[milly143]

everyone has someone like that at work. I know I did. most bosses know when someone is sucking up to them and if they are doing their job properly it won't be a problem for you to talk to them. You will probably find that other people you work with feel exactly the same. If you were to all (gently) discuss the problem then im sure a resolution would be found. It worked at my workplace.