Trouble with Colleague

Beancounter

I started a new job 3 weeks ago, I am based in a tiny office with 1 other full time guy and a part timer (2 days a week).

I have been away at head office for a lot of the time, last week was my first full week there. On Monday I was aware that my colleague was being very quiet with me. I was also not getting any work to do and he was not letting me answer the phone. I was left to just twiddle my thumbs for 2 days.

On the Wednesday unfortunately, I was sick and returned on Friday. After spending another silent morning with no work I emailed my boss at head office and asked to talk to him in private later.

At lunch time the phone rang, my colleague was outside so I took the call. It was a customer wanting to arrange a delivery so I took the details. The guy was hovering over me and when i put the phone down he went on a huge rant at me for taking the call and not passing it to him. He was really shouting at me so I admit that I shouted back then went back to my desk.

Anyway, he went on a tirade about how I have come in and wanted to change everything (I asked in my 2nd week about moving my desk round as I am facing a wall and have my back to customers), he let rip about me throwing out a phone book when I was cleaning my desk to try to make thigs a little more bearable, not telling him I was leaving early last Monday for a hospital appointment (which I had cleared with my manager a week before) and the slagged me about being off sick. Then he slagged me for coming back as I was still feeling a little unwell.

I spoke to my boss later and told him my side of events, my colleague had already been on the phone telling his version. He has also been rubbishing me to customers. I told the boss I couldn't work in such an environment and was going to leave. He is coming up tomorrow to talk to us both but I don't see how this can be changed.

Working in a small portakabin is bad enough but if I am going to have to work in such an atmosphere then it will in intolerable. I think the guys problem is that he has worked with the other guy for years and they have run this as their own business, it was taken over last year by a larger company and now I have been added to the team.

I am going to tell the boss tomorrow that regardless of events I am now actively looking for another job. I can't stand this. I am aware that leaving of my own accord will me me ineligible for benefits but I don't see what other option I have for my own sanity.

Walstri

Don't be stupid and quit. If you are going to find another job, don't leave until you secure an offer and accepted it, and don't inform your manager you're looking for another job. Never EVER tell your manager you're actively looking for another job under any circumstances, not unless you want to be fired immediately.

If you quit your colleague wins.

mrcow

Don't tell your boss you're looking for another job. That's just childish.

Find your other job and THEN tell your boss.

jacques_chirac

Unless the boss has any issues with the other worker, I'd say your days are numbered whatever you do. You've been there three weeks and you have already had time off sick, plus you have made a complaint (albeit informal) about an established colleague. I'm not suggesting your colleague is not difficult to handle, but you don't appear to be endearing yourself to your new employer.

Beancounter

My days are numbered even though NONE of this is my fault? Even though he is the one who started a tirade at me for answering the phone?
Even though he won't give me any work to do or let me answer the phone?

I hope you are not in a position of authority wih those views:)

jacques_chirac

Beancounter wrote: »

My days are numbered even though NONE of this is my fault? Even though he is the one who started a tirade at me for answering the phone?
Even though he won't give me any work to do or let me answer the phone?

I hope you are not in a position of authority wih those views:)

Most efficient managers share my view. If there was not a problem before you arrived and now there is, who do you think the boss will get rid of?

My advice - keep your head down and prove your worth before rocking the boat.

It seems you had the same kind of problem at your last job also?

Beancounter

jacques_chirac wrote: »

Most efficient managers share my view. If there was not a problem before you arrived and now there is, who do you think the boss will get rid of?

My advice - keep your head down and prove your worth before rocking the boat.

It seems you had the same kind of problem at your last job also?

Well searched. This situation is different as I am 100% sure I have genuinely done nothing to cause any issues.

So what do I do? Sit around all day doing nothing, not learning anything about the job and then getting sacked anyway?

Do I sit in a little portakabin in total silence for 9 hours a day? And do I put up with this guy shouting at me and threatening to "give me my head on a plate" if I spread my stomach bug to him on Friday?

If that's what "keeping my head down" constitutes then I am pretty sure of what I will be doing tomorrow.

martinthebandit

If you really want to get on at work then you need to apologise to the bloke for any offence you may have inadvertantly caused and ask his advice on how you both can establish a better working relationship for the future.

But I bet you won't.