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Franke James is Editor/Founder of Office-Politics.com and Inventor of the Office-Politics® Game. Peter R. Garber has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and is the author of many business books including: Winning the Rat Race at Work and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss. Dina Beach Lynch, is an Ombudsman, Author and former attorney. An award-winning mediator, Dina served as the Corporate Ombudsman for the 7th largest bank in the US helping over 48,000 employees to resolve workplace issues. Dr. Rick Brandon is CEO of Brandon Partners. He has consulted and trained tens of thousands at corporations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries. Dr. Marty Seldman is one of America's most experienced executive coaches. His 35-year career includes expertise in executive coaching, group dynamics, cross-cultural studies, clinical psychology, and training. Arnie Herz, is a lawyer, mediator, speaker, author and consultant nationally recognized for his practical and inspired approach to conflict resolution and client counseling. Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities. |
She was very friendly at first... She would be best characterized as rough around the edges. I have been nothing but complimentary to her and everything was just fine and dandy. Then all of a sudden she turned on me like a bat out of hell...
September 2006 Dear Office-Politics, I just started a new job, I'm there approximately one month. I am highly qualified for the position and have previous experience. The woman who trained me has been with the organization for 10 years, holding a part-time, evening position.She was promoted to a full time day position one month before I was hired. She is very knowlegable and "knows her stuff." In fact she gave me most of my day to day training, although we have different job titles, some of our duties overlap. I hold the supervisory position, but she holds the senority. She was very friendly at first, however she is not the flowery type by any means. She would be best characterized as rough around the edges. I have been nothing but complimentary to her and everything was just fine and dandy. Then all of a sudden she turned on me like a bat out of hell. She indicated to a co-worker that I get things done too quickly and that she hopes that I haven't made mistakes. She never says anything to my face, as a matter of fact she has now resorted to "the silent treatment." Apparently, I am not the only person, she also treated the previous woman in my position as well as some of her part time co-workers in this same way. I have started to ignore her, but my nature is to be friendly to people and feel that teamwork is usually more successful than isolation. This has been going on for
almost a week now. I feel awkward going to the Director at this stage
and most of the literature I have read says that this can make things
worse. It is a very small organization, there are 3 daytime workers
and a Director. I really like and need my job. Do you have any advice
on how I can handle this workplace bully? New
Supervisor Dear New
Supervisor, Lucy has been a part-time worker for 10 years. She manages to finally get hired full-time. She's thrilled! Then, one month later a Shiny New Employee is hired as her supervisor. Lucy wonders why, since she's been with the company 10 years (albeit part-time) she got passed over? Why isn't she your supervisor? As you say, she is very knowledgeable and "knows her stuff." Doesn't the Director see how valuable she is? What's her flaw? But she puts her hurt feelings aside, acts like a professional, and trains you. However the knot inside her doesn't go away, and in fact her resentment grows. You have learned the job so well that you are doing your tasks in half the time it takes her. She feels inferior to you in some ways, and is fearful that the Director will notice how quick you are, and how plodding she is by comparison. She might be demoted back to part-time or worse -- fired! If this scenario is plausible -- and I'm just reading creatively between the lines, as to how I might feel in her shoes -- then a positive strategy is have sympathy for her. This job is probably a stepping-stone for you to bigger and better things. Are you still going to be in the same job ten years from now? Unlikely. But for this woman -- and perhaps she is not as old as I am guessing -- this is her last kick at the can. Is this assumption correct? So let's return to what you might do to make your working life with her more pleasant. Awareness of her inferiority complex can make you more understanding, and more ready to give her a few pats on the back. Perhaps your Director is giving you praise, in which case you can share some of that limelight with Lucy, by saying, "I'm so glad you appreciate my work. Lucy taught me well." In your behavior with her be as kind and patient as possible. (This may be difficult but try.) When you're talking to your coworkers, say something that recognizes Lucy's contribution to the company. Word travels, and hearing that you spoke well of her will smooth out a lot of tensions. (But do not share with your coworkers the theory that Lucy has an inferiority complex!) The main takeaway in my message to you is that there is a power imbalance. You are new, but you are Lucy's supervisor. You are young. She is older. She has less power than you in the workplace. This may be causing resentment and feelings of inferiority by Lucy. Thanks for writing to Office-Politics.com. Franke Franke James, MFA
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