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#Post#: 54756--------------------------------------------------
Advice about a personal text
By: Codewoman1125 Date: July 20, 2020, 4:24 pm
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I have a coworker working at home during the pandemic. Said
coworker's performance has been unreliable since we all began
working from home. I've since returned to work and in the last
month or so, coworker's performance has really become an issue.
I'm being asked to attend meetings about topics that were
previously managed only by co-worker, though my boss claims it's
just to get my valuable input. Coworker and I are at the same
level, but I perform many duties coworker could not due to
skills issues.
My question is about a personal text from coworker that stated a
member of the family had sabotaged coworker's at home work
environment due to a personal disagreement. According to
coworker, this family member has a substance abuse issue.
I haven't revealed this message to my employer, but I'm
wondering if I should. What do you think?
#Post#: 54761--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice about a personal text
By: Wanaca Date: July 20, 2020, 8:30 pm
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I would redirect by telling the coworker that they should
discuss it with their supervisor. Other than that, I'd stay out
of it.
#Post#: 54762--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice about a personal text
By: MinMom3 Date: July 20, 2020, 8:34 pm
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Are they going to tell work themselves? Are they telling you to
manipulate you into doing even more of their job? Are you in
danger of having yet more of their workload landed on you by
your boss? Are you maxing out and unable to take any more of
their work load? Are you going to get any more money for doing
part of their job?
I am in no way a manager... I think what you do depends on the
workplace culture and atmosphere, your relationship with your
supervisor, etc. I can see telling them, and not telling
them...
#Post#: 54765--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice about a personal text
By: Rain Date: July 20, 2020, 8:55 pm
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[quote author=Wanaca link=topic=1786.msg54761#msg54761
date=1595295037]
I would redirect by telling the coworker that they should
discuss it with their supervisor. Other than that, I'd stay out
of it.
[/quote]
I totally agree with this.
#Post#: 54770--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice about a personal text
By: Aleko Date: July 21, 2020, 2:18 am
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[quote]I would redirect by telling the coworker that they should
discuss it with their supervisor. Other than that, I'd stay out
of it.[/quote]
I also agree. Your colleague has not asked you to pass this
information on, and you have no evidence for the truth of it.
I’m not saying that they were lying: but they might well have
exaggerated quite a bit, as one sometimes does when trying to
get sympathy from an equal, and even if it is 100% true they
might understandably be very unwilling to air their family’s
dirty linen to authority. I think you should not only advise
them to discuss it directly with their supervisor but also state
explicitly that you aren’t going to pass the information on to
anyone.
#Post#: 54773--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice about a personal text
By: Rose Red Date: July 21, 2020, 7:13 am
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Don't pass it on. Don't do it. I can't say that enough.
Even though it's about how her work is affected, it's still
personal information. Perhaps you can suggest they talk to each
other and encourage your coworker to tell them she needs an
office environment. Or tell your boss how extra work affects
you. But don't speak for your coworker.
#Post#: 54781--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice about a personal text
By: oogyda Date: July 21, 2020, 10:50 am
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Why would you pass on this message to your/her boss?
Are you trying to save her from losing her job? Why?
Especially since you are being expected to take up her slack
(regardless of her situation).
#Post#: 54784--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice about a personal text
By: DaDancingPsych Date: July 21, 2020, 1:23 pm
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I do feel for Coworker. However, I agree that this is Coworker's
issue to care for you. You can encourage them to bring this to
Manager's attention. But I just don't see how you being the
middle man is really going to solve much. I do wonder why you
are back to work (back to the office?), but coworker is still
working from home? Would it be appropriate for you to suggest to
coworker that working from the office might solve the problem?
In your shoes, I would focus on my plate. It sounds like Manager
is aware of the performance issue and is hopefully caring for
it. (Manager may even be aware of the sabotage.) If you are able
to continue helping out, great. However, I would keep Manager
afloat of where you are work load wise. Speak up if / when it
becomes too much.
#Post#: 54788--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice about a personal text
By: Jem Date: July 21, 2020, 2:14 pm
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I'm a little unclear on the facts but it sounds like your work
already knows about your coworkers situation. It sounds to me as
though your employer is asking you to pick up the slack while
your coworkers situation gets resolved. It sounds to me as
though your employer didn't tell you the personal/private
information about your coworker, and that your coworker told you
directly, but it does NOT sound to me as though your employer is
unaware of what is going on with the coworker.
Like PPs, I don't think it's your place to tell your employer
what your coworker told you. I DO think it makes sense to seek
clarification on your role going forward and whether you are
taking over additional responsibilities.
#Post#: 54792--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice about a personal text
By: Hmmm Date: July 21, 2020, 2:32 pm
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I agree with Jem. Based on your post, my immediate thought was
that boss is aware and was asking you to pick up some slack
while co-worker is dealing with some personal issues. Boss just
didn't tell you why.
I know many dislike being asked to pick up slack when other
co-workers are under performing for personal reasons. However, I
am of the opinion that at some time in all of our careers, we'll
end up with situations where we can't be performing at our
highest performance. It's nice to know others will have you
back.
Unless this is severely over taxing your ability to get things
done or your suddenly working 50 hours or more with no
additional compensation, I'd just do as much as I could and see
it as a way to expand my knowledge or just organizational
awareness if you are participating in meetings you've not prior
been exposed to.
If this does start impacting your performance or home life, I'd
mention to boss that you're happy to help out but will need some
assistance in prioritization.
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