How would you handle this situation?

getmore4less

This is a simple one

What is important to the business that you can't do without this task getting done?

I will let you work out the rest.

shortcrust

If it can wait two weeks then there's no problem. If it can't wait two weeks then explain why and ask if it can be done sooner. If he can't help you with that then speak to your manager.

Some thoughts:

Building and/or fixing relationships with colleagues is probably the most important part of the initial stages of most jobs.
It's not ok to simply ignore a work email because you don't like the 'tone' and 'attitude'.
A quick job isn't necessarily a priority.
Managers generally take a pretty dim view of employees who can't sort stuff like this out on their own.

nicechap

Personally, I'd read back through some of my previous threads about problems with colleagues & work and think about what the common denominator is.


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5645885/is-my-boss-expecting-too-much-from-me-too-soon

Did my boss really expect more from me for paying me £50k a year?


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5805872/starting-a-new-career-path

And 'let go' within a year of that job, so 2 jobs in 2 years.


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5812582/checking-what-reference-i-will-get

Planning to lie to get a copy of a reference


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5817790/role-play

Not preparing properly for an interview/ role play but it was the thechniques shortcomings


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5866682/getting-a-weekend-job-where-youll-be-overqualified

Spending more than you earn so need to get an extra job which they are "overqualified" for.


BTW - did you decide whether you were Andrew or Nathanial?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/member.php?u=2423599

pmduk

I suspect much of the issue may be your approach to him?

Comms69

Nathaniel_Essex wrote: »

Grumpy old man at work, has been there 20 years and holds most of the cards when it comes to getting IT stuff done. Not because it's particularly complex, he's just the type that likes to horde work and processes to make him feel important.

Long story short, a few weeks ago he sent an email to my boss and I which was completely the wrong tone and attitude to have. I simply ignored it as was not going to entertain an email like that. Forward a few weeks and I need him to update something that should take no more than 30 minutes and even then I am being extremely generous.

He ignores my email for a few days so I chase him for him to reply it will be complete in two weeks time. Again, this is something that should take 10 minutes to be honest. 30 minutes if you take your time.

Being the new guy, I have been slightly cautious on the initial bad response but now it seems like he's taking the !!!!. Gut tells me to reply, copying in his manager and ask why on earth it will take so long. However, the typical side of me would say just wait the 2 weeks in order to avoid the drama and him being grumpy with anything else that comes up in the future.

He probably has other work to be done ahead of yours?!

He’s been there 20 years, probably for a reason...

sangie595

Comms69 wrote: »

He probably has other work to be done ahead of yours?!

He’s been there 20 years, probably for a reason...

Hmmm. In view of the post from Nicechap, the OP might be well advised to try to aspire to staying in a job for a couple of years themselves instead of complaining about someone who's worked there 20! There does seem to be something of a consistent theme to their posts which suggests that the problem doesn't always lie elsewhere. And it's a bit rich complaining he isn't doing something fast enough when the OP still hasn't responded to their email! At least he had the courtesy of responding...