Grex Scruples Conference

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Grex Scruples Item 83: The annoying co-worker
Entered by aruba on Fri Oct 14 02:46:53 UTC 1994:

A co-worker has been bugging you a lot, but you haven't yet stood up to
him and told him so.  Your boss takes you aside one day asks you why you
look so depressed, and if there's anything he can do.  Do you tell him
about the co-worker?

12 responses total.

#1 of 12 by aruba on Fri Oct 14 02:47:30 1994:

From Item 67:

#82 of 102: by Mary Remmers (chelsea) on Mon, Oct 10, 1994 (08:38):
 Absolutely not. Doing so would jeopardize any respect your boss
 might have for you and should jeopardize any respect you have
 for yourself.
 
 You may get away with this type of behavior if this is your
 first job and you're 16, but not as an adult in an adult
 situation.

#86 of 102: by Is my halo straight? (brighn) on Tue, Oct 11, 1994 (03:21):
 Going back a line, I would tell my boss.  If the boss has asked about
 my emotional state, it indicates a certain level of familiarness and
 informality that would allow for open discussion.  If the boss has 
 indicated by behavior and/or words that (s)he doesn't give a damn 
 about my emotional state, then I certainly wouldn't burden the boss
 with the problem, but if the boss has asked...  One duty of a 
 successful manager is insuring emotional compatability between 
 co-workers to develop teamwork.

#2 of 12 by sammie on Fri Oct 14 07:28:29 1994:

No"
"."

#3 of 12 by napolean on Fri Oct 14 15:51:27 1994:

yes, I'd try to get my co-worker fired

#4 of 12 by brighn on Fri Oct 14 20:57:35 1994:

I don't know as I'd go so far as Napolean about it.
Transferred, maybe.  :-)

#5 of 12 by gracel on Sat Oct 15 03:01:10 1994:

I wouldn't immediately go into detail, but I would admit to some 
difficulties with compatibility, and let my boss decide what s/he
needed to hear.

#6 of 12 by carson on Sat Oct 15 10:58:06 1994:

if the relationship with my co-worker is such that it depresses me,
I wouldn't hesitate to mention it to my employer, esp. if the employer
asked. At the same time, though, I would ask for pointers on dealing
with said co-worker. I don't see anything wrong with admitting I
can't deal with someone, and if I content myself with hiding it,
I'll never become a better person.

#7 of 12 by zook on Sat Oct 15 18:46:09 1994:

Hard to know.  I in fact have that very situation.  The boss has
arranged a special meeting for all involved this week.  I haven't
decided whether to blab or not...

#8 of 12 by jerryb on Fri Oct 21 02:25:37 1994:

I think that in certain control oriented hierarchical organizations the
supervisor would want to "take charge" of the situation and handle it.  After
all, " control" is part of the managerisal model. Some organizations, either
from necessity, type of business, or ethical vision, operate by a different
model.  In such organizations the supervisor might  coach her employee on
options for resolving the probllem directly.  There *are* organizations that do
have or are striving toward that type of culture.

#9 of 12 by simcha on Fri Dec 23 16:14:50 1994:

I'd tell my former boss everything.  He was great for venting, and 
gave very good free advice.  We could keep each other's secrets, and
were not friends outside of work, so it wasn't too personal.

I wouldn't tell my current boss anything.  He keeps notes for future
use.

#10 of 12 by starwolf on Fri Sep 15 16:46:30 1995:

depends on the boss.

#11 of 12 by jazz on Thu Dec 7 13:15:28 1995:

        Hell no.  'Sides, everyone on the Windows team bugged me.  :)

        Eh, just kidding.

#12 of 12 by ewhisam on Thu Dec 28 03:14:55 1995:

No

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