Rant about a co-worker

**Telephus44** · 03-16-2006, 08:00 PM

I work in an office with two other women - one of them is a Customer Service Representative (which is also my title) and the other one is a Customer Service Assistant. The "assistant" has been trying for over a year to be promoted to a full CSR, even though she doesn't posess a few of the critical skills needed. She really just wants to the extra money (we get paid about twice as much) and to go on salary to she can call out sick without worrying about it.

One of the things that she does that annoys me is she spends at least half of the day away from her desk, and then complains that she has a lot of work to do. Yesterday, I was in a lousy mood and she walks up to me and says, "Your desk looks clean. If you're bored, you can enter some of my orders." I know that this was wrong, but I just looked at her and said "Some of us manage to get our work done." Well, she stormed off and complained to our boss that I am treating her as a lowly "assistant" and that I make derrogatory comments about her. I had to sit down with my boss tonight and defend (well, more like qualify) what I said. I kind of explained the situation to him, admitted I knew that what I had said wasn't in the best judgement, but that I was in no way belittling her position. I think he understood my point of view (I get along really well with my boss) but this woman didn't talk to me all day. I also managed to bring up the fact that I took three calls from her customers this week that all began with "I've left her three messages and she never called me back - can you help me?" thus putting MORE work on my plate.

Well, I just wanted to vent. We had this chat right before I went home, so it kind of left me fired up and I had to get it out.

**mom22grls** · 03-16-2006, 08:10 PM

And the hormones don't help, do they?

Sometimes we just need to get it off our chest.

**madhen** · 03-16-2006, 08:37 PM

Sounds like she was asking for it, trying to dump her work on you. You were much more tactful than I would have been! I am one of those who gets a lot done, keeps a very clean desk, and doesn't spend half the day away from it, yakking at people. Wonder if there is a correlation?

**SHOPGIRL** · 03-16-2006, 08:43 PM

Sara,

I think you said the right thing. You didn't word anything wrong. You said the truth, and you could have said a whole lot more, but you didn't. Sometimes people need to see that your not a pushover.

guest7 · 03-16-2006, 08:57 PM

Good job!!
And I like how you sat down with the boss and discussed your reasoning behind it. I am certain your boss already knows what's going on and you simply verified his suspicions. Sometimes it takes a slap in the face to get someone to wake up. Here's hoping it worked for you!

**nodmicks** · 03-16-2006, 09:38 PM

It sounds like you explained yourself very well to your boss. Sorry your in this frustrating situation!

**KKCondrey** · 03-16-2006, 10:58 PM

If I were in your shoes I would have done the same thing.

**Dedlered** · 03-17-2006, 08:56 AM

Likewise, I would have definitely done the same thing.

**Darlene** · 03-17-2006, 11:47 AM

Good for you!

**Michele Annette** · 03-17-2006, 12:51 PM

I'm sorry you have to deal with this woman Sara. I think there is nothing wrong with what you said.

**NoDebtMom** · 03-18-2006, 12:50 PM

You know the old saying- 'this would be a great place to work if it weren't for the people!'

Serioulsy, though - saying what you thought.

**NoDebtMom** · 03-18-2006, 12:50 PM

You know the old saying- 'this would be a great place to work if it weren't for the people!'

Serioulsy, though good for you - saying what you thought.

**Telephus44** · 03-19-2006, 01:44 PM

Thanks for making me feel better about what I said - it has been bothering me all week. At least I stuck up for myself, though.

**starsapphire** · 03-27-2006, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by Telephus44
Thanks for making me feel better about what I said - it has been bothering me all week. At least I stuck up for myself, though.

Yes, there are times when we have to stick up for ourselves. Its like a co-worker was just telling me last week when I asked her why she seemed on edge and whiny she said that if you just do your job and don't make any noise you end up getting nowhere except walked-on, so she was speaking up for herself because she was frustrated.

**Kiara** · 04-06-2006, 06:54 PM

I personally do not think you said anything wrong. I know by my own experience how it fills to have to explain to your boss why you said something. I suggest speaking to her when she speaks to you. I had a similar issue at work and I avoided speaking to the person I was angry with.... this later was used against me. But I would have said the same thing to her.