Nightmare co worker

[Salon99]

I started working in a salon wholesalers about a year ago , myself and my nightmare colleague started the same day , we are both the same age ,similar levels of experience etc , we work in a team of about 10' girls all on different shift patterns , we have one shift manager who is lovely , the nightmare colleague however seems to think she is in charge of everything , she will constantly moan to me how over worked she is , but at the same time invent paper work to do that is not her job to do , she will moan about other colleagues , she will come over to and say thanks for your help today and well done as if she's a supervisor she has rubbed a few people up the wrong way but the final straw for me was today she's said "right the manager has had a meeting with me and anyone not doing their job will be out , so no talking make sure you're busy all the time " I asked why the manager would want to tell her this as she is like all the other team members just a team member , her reply was , well as I've been a manager before this job they need me to do this , what would you do in this situation to stay sane ? Thanks for reading x

[Throwingshadeagain]

I would talk to your manager about her but keep it calm, succinct and to the point.

[Salon99]

Yes I was going to do that but I didn't want to seem petty or cause an atmosphere

[pippistrelle]

I would read between the lines and think that the manager had a meeting with her and told her to pull her socks up. Her Walter Mitty aspects and natural defensiveness don't allow her to accept that this can possibly be aimed at her. I'm sure she's infuriating.

But unless her interventions are actually preventing you from doing some things you should be doing, I would roll my eyes and just get on with things, staying as far away from her as possible. If her interventions are getting in the way of your work, then speak to your manager.

[Paintedhandprints]

Tinkly laugh and back away slowly from the crazy person.

[Salon99]

Thanks so much for your replies , yes my husband has said pretty much the same to me , I was on a shift with her today and just kept myself out of her way x

[curren]

My response would be ' oh right, I am going to have a chat with OUR manager as I would prefer things like this to come from her'

Not saying this is helpful. But chances are the manager has not told her to tell you all anything.

[Salon99]

I'm just annoyed at myself for allowing her to get to me so much , I sit and drive myself mad replaying all the weird events of the day !
Another Classic was telling another member of staff , who wasn't even in our team to not go on your break now as it s busy , enjoy the busy times ! Needless to say they took their break !

[Salon99]

I did say I will have a chat with our manager about her reply was WHY ? , yes I don't believe the manager has said anything of the sort to her , I think she's wants to,seem indispensable , it's just all bizarre , on our first day at lunch I asked her did she have and children she said no , then later on said she had two grown up children ?? My two sons are now 28 and 31 I still say I've got children though x

[curren]

I did say I will have a chat with our manager about her reply was WHY ? ,

my answer would be 'if she is threatening to sack people I want to hear it from her!'

Because this woman has told you, your manager has threatened you all with the sack. That's not ok.

[Salon99]

Yes I said that to her , she replied oh it's not aimed at you , just in general , she has an answer for everything !

[curren]

Wether she didn't mean you isn't the point.

She said 'everyone' , everyone includes you. I am sure the manager would want to know if someone is saying she is saying things that could land therm at a tribunal.

Personally after that conversation with 'ah well as a someone who used to be a manager you should know you need to be clearer, I am still going have a word as its not good for morale for the team'. And then I would have gone straight to the manager and put a complaint in.

She is bullying you and everyone else.

[Salon99]

She made out she was doing me a favour , letting me in on a secret meeting her and the manger had

[Salon99]

Yes it has completely de motivated me as an individual I'm doing quite well in my role and she is really knocking my confidence..

[Salon99]

It's crazy when I'm reading this back I'm 51 and it could be a 10 year old experiencing this in the playground

[Chocolatteaddict1]

Ah I know this type of colleague. Just laugh at them every time she says something. Turn it in to a running joke.

I'd absolutely ask the real manager what was said and then I'd let her know you've spoken to the manager.

[Throwingshadeagain]

I'm a manager. I don't like people wasting my time moaning, gossiping or bitching to me about co-workers but I do want to hear from people whose colleagues are behaving inappropriately or making others' jobs miserable or untenable. I need to know, and I want to support people who are struggling with unreasonable colleagues. And this woman has actually undermined her manager and likely misrepresented what was said in the meeting with her. Talk to her again - as I said upthread, keep it factual and short and explain your concerns.

[Chocolatteaddict1]

Yes it has completely de motivated me as an individual I'm doing quite well in my role and she is really knocking my confidence

I'd tell that to your manager. You won't be the only one

[Fyaral]

Definitely speak with your manager.

[cuntycowfacemonkey]

Sounds like she is one of those people who try get hard to look busy and important by constantly talking about how busy and important they whilst simultaneously doing very little actual work.

Bring it up with your line manager.

[RainbowDashed]

I suspect the manager was trying to warn her that if SHE didn't do HER job properly then shed be out. Its entirely possible that your manager is too wet to be any more forthright, do you think this is possible? In your shoes id go to the manager and say has just told us this, was that what the message was supposed to be? It seems as though nightmarecolleague is to thick skinned to take the hint.

[RainbowDashed]

Don't let her undermine you. Its entirely likely that your performance has nothing to do with any of this.

[Salon99]

Thanks so much for all of your replies , it's made me feel a lot better about it all , I am going to just avoid her , if I'm in conversation with our manager I will mention it , thanks again x

[CosyNook]

I would ask your manager when she intends to formally announce your colleague is now 'supervisor' and clarifies who you should report to.

You could enquire when the 'position' was advertised as you seem to have missed it.

I'm sure the manager will quickly sort this out!!!

[WhereYouLeftIt]

"today she's said "right the manager has had a meeting with me and anyone not doing their job will be out , so no talking make sure you're busy all the time ""
Fabulous, she has handed you an absolute gift here! She is misrepresenting the management to you, I'd guess at that being a disciplinable behaviour. Speak to the manager, explain what your co-worker has been doing, and yes, tell your manager the effect this is having on you.

[Roussette]

This thread is bringing back memories! I worked somewhere where there were 8-10 of us all equal. Trouble is, some thought they were more equal than others

It really really annoyed me so OP I totally get you. Certain members of staff (two in particular) took it upon themselves to boss other ones around trying to tell me and others what to do and to do stuff differently. I just had a mantra. "I am sure if "Manager" needs to change this, she will tell me".
"If there is a problem with what I am doing, "Manager" will no doubt speak to me"
"Sorry, I'm not doing it that way, but I will speak to "Manager" if you like because as far as I'm aware, the systems haven't changed"

Occasionally I would lose my rag a bit and just say "No, I'm fine THANK YOU" meaning, fuck off you old trout, I am not having you telling me what to do

OP, don't have your confidence knocked, do speak to your Manager if you get a chance and ask if anything has changed, i.e. has irritating woman been put in charge?!