others not doing their job - me getting the blame

tir21

I dont want to go into too much detail but my job sometimes involves driving and taking one other member of staff out with me

I informed this other person that we would have to do some driving.

I waited for them in the appropriate location but they did not meet me there. When I checked to see what he was doing he was on the phone- which is something they often do as part of their job. He was on the phone for about 25 minutes

It now looks like it is being questioned why we didn't go out straight away. I could face blame for not informing the supervisor he was on the phone rather than going out to the car

I would seek opinion on whether you think it is fair to expect me to check up on what my colleagues are doing. No part of my job description involves supervising coworkers

Is it reasonable for me to say I did everything I was required to do and so any blame resides with the other person

Thanks

Gaz83

Does part of your job description involve informing your supervisor if there is a reason you cannot go out at an agreed time?

RuthnJasper

It probably depends on the nature of your colleague's call. Would a problem have arisen if they had terminated the 'phone call early in order to leave on time? Obviously, you could not have predicted how long your colleague's conversation was going to last. I think your colleague is obviously to blame for the delay, but only you know whether or not you should have informed a supervisor.

Did you or your colleague 'phone someone at your destination to let them know you'd be running late?

I think the serious stuff might arise if it transpired that your colleague was gossiping on the 'phone instead of doing legitimate business.

Best of luck.

tir21

Gaz83 wrote: »

Does part of your job description involve informing your supervisor if there is a reason you cannot go out at an agreed time?

No because some times we will have to go out but not immediately

RuthnJasper

tir21 wrote: »

No because some times we will have to go out but not immediately

If this is the case, I can't really see why you'd be in trouble. The 'phone records should back up the fact that your colleague was on the 'phone (as well as any other colleagues who might be able to verify that you were there and ready to go but were delayed through no fault of your own).

Let us know how you get on, and try not to worry too much.

getmore4less

What did you do for 25mins?

tomtontom

This doesn't sound like a blame situation, no one is at fault per se. Just explain what happened, you were delayed because one of you was on a work related phone call.

Also the title is misleading - your colleague was doing his job.

tir21

Gaz83 wrote: »

Does part of your job description involve informing your supervisor if there is a reason you cannot go out at an agreed time?

No because some times we will have to go out but not immediately

tir21

getmore4less wrote: »

What did you do for 25mins?

Kept checking if hed finished the phone call

tir21

tomtontom wrote: »

This doesn't sound like a blame situation, no one is at fault per se. Just explain what happened, you were delayed because one of you was on a work related phone call.

Also the title is misleading - your colleague was doing his job.

The supervisor later asked why we hadn't gone out straight away so I don't think it was a work related call

tomtontom

tir21 wrote: »

The supervisor later asked why we hadn't gone out straight away so I don't think it was a work related call

The content of the call is for them to look into, it is not your concern.