How to cope with ultra competitive new work colleague

FBaby

You seem to look at the situation either as confrontation or escape. It doesn't have to be either. Why can't you get comfort from the reassurance your boss has given you?

You say you have no interest in promotion, so why can't you work with her, support her in her aspirations rather than seeing her as a rival? You might find that you get along quite well.

In the meantime, record anything you are concerned over, so if it comes to your boss expressing dissatisfaction with your work, then you can bring up what has happened.

Frankly, your confidence seems to be the real issue, not her.

melysion

I didn't say I wasn't interested in promotion. There are no real promotional opportunities for her or myself.

I can certainly take some comfort in knowing my boss is happy with my work. But this work colleague is already spying on my work to a certain extent and has tried throwing her weight around. She is over confident and bullish in her attitude. We had a beyond ridiculous "discussion" last week when she declared that a hole isn't a hole unless it goes all the way though something and that I was wrong to think otherwise. Anyway.

You are absolutely spot on regarding the confidence issue of course. I know that I may be creating a bigger problem than it is in my mind because of this. But I don't think the issue is entirely due to my imagination.

melysion

At the end of the day, as enjoyable at it is, it is just a job I guess and people move on all the time.

melysion

I don't really see her as a rival as she can't ever be promoted above me (there isn't the opportunity to do so). She can be my equal but that's it. I just don't want her taking all the interesting work, I want the spying to stop and I want her to stop assuming that she is always right. That's all.

getmore4less

How much quicker and how much more stuff is this person doing compared to the rest of the tream and yourself?

if stuff is not getting redone then it may be sloppy but must be "good enough".

perhaps you should ask to stop being the checker of their work so you can focvus on your own work and projects.


The usual solution in these situation is to let them set themselves up for the fall if the work is not good enough.

Fionabell

Just keep doing the good job that you are. If she goes too quickly that her work is sloppy your boss will soon get fed up of it.

Don't leave - it's really hard to get a job these days and the grass isn't always greener.

Don't speak to HR either - it makes it look like you're whiny and being a bit of a troublemaker.

She's probably just really keen and trying her best to make a good impression. She'll soon get fed up!

melysion

It's part of my role to check the work of more junior members of staff so I can hardly refuse to do it. I do tell her of things she has to correct.

I think it's ridiculous that I'm in seemingly able to say anything in case I'm labeled as something negative but there it is.

Guess I'll have to see whether she calms down or really does turn into a hypercompetitive nightmare. I will be looking for new roles in the meantime while just focusing on my job while I am there. Working with her on a project the way she is at the moment would be incredibly stressful as she is such a know-it-all.

Anyway. Thanks everyone. You have given me a sounding post and food for thought. It's much appreciated.

panika

I started my current job with person, who wanted to show his ambitions to bosses. It was annoying - when we were working together and then he was going to manager saying that he has finished task not even mentioning, that I worked with him. There were some other situations, but I have to admit, that it is not as bad as he was in the beggining. Couple of times, when he run to the boss to tell, what job he has done it just backfired on him (our manager asked him some questions about this job, but he couldn't answer them and had to ask me for help).

Basically, sometimes he is annoying, but I try to ignore it and get on with my job. I know my managers are happy with my work. Also, me and my colleague are ok to work together (I don't want to show, that I am poor team worker), but I prefer to work on my own. He takes a lot of sick leave anyway.

So, I wouldn't worry to much. Time will show, what person she really is. Like someone said, If she tries to tell you how to do your job, just tell "Thanks, I prefer my way of doing this task, but I will think about things you have said". If you are in charge of people you will come across different in your team. In present or in any future job. You just have to learn, how to deal with certain behaviour.

Last thing, she may try to stir up. If she does, just ignore it.