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Original poster

On work trip abroad. Colleague gone crazy

788 replies

Eastie77 · 08/05/2019 19:52

Just that really. I'm abroad for work, 2 days in a major European city with a client meeting tomorrow morning. I've travelled with a female colleague who, like me, has 2 young DC. When we found out about this trip she messaged me to say she was desperately looking forward to it as she needs a break from the DC and is run ragged juggling everything. I said I totally sympathised and she replied that we should use this trip as an opportunity to get rat arsed on the company's money. I just laughed.

Arrived at the airport this morning for our early flight to find she had already had downed 2 pints but was at least sober. She kicked up a fuss on the plane as there was no alcohol on sale - not massively but enough to embarrass me. Landed and she bought more alcohol and has generally been increasingly drunk, hyper and shrill since saying this is 'her time'. We arrived at the hotel at 3pm and were meant to go over our presentation for tomorrow but I've had zero input from her. I need her to contribute a bunch of slides and practice a demo of the technical solution we are meant to be presenting to the client but she is not playing ball and has just been propping up the bar. I'm stressed. It looks as if I will have to do her slides and I don't have enough knowledge so emailing colleagues back home. I don't want to speak to my manager about this. She is normally quite conscientiousSad

OP posts:
Dyrne · 09/05/2019 09:28

I also wonder if she has form for this on work trips, given how quick other colleague escalated it to the manager.

churchthecat · 09/05/2019 09:29

@Eastie77 you watching the game tonight?

ptumbi · 09/05/2019 09:30

downcasteyes - so you think the horror expressed by most posters is us being 'square'? You think that 2 people going to work - but only one actually doing any work, - is acceptable? Plus the one who is drunk and useless may also be getting a Bonus for the work the other has done?

What happens if both employees decide to get wasted and do no work? Is that acceptable as being 'fun' and not square?

you could try real life working I suppose. You might not last long though.

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AntennaReborn · 09/05/2019 09:30

Fingers crossed OP!

It's good that your manager knows; as a manager I would want to know!

MirandaWest · 09/05/2019 09:31

Good luck

MrsGrannyWeatherwax · 09/05/2019 09:35

Good luck!

acatcalledjohn · 09/05/2019 09:38

Good luck OP. You have behaved admirably by attempting to put the business first. However, I am glad your other colleague told your manager. You focused on getting her shit together for her so that you wouldn't be shown up today.

I really hope you keep your client on board and you get your colleague's bonus for dealing with it.

Her behaviour may count as gross misconduct and as such instant dismissal.

Candleabra · 09/05/2019 09:41

Good luck, hope the presentation goes well. And yep, where I work, getting pissed on company time to the extent it damaged an important revenue stream would be classed as gross misconduct.

PompeyBez · 09/05/2019 09:42

Good luck op, sounds like you've made the best of a bad situation. Fingers crossed for you!

downcasteyes · 09/05/2019 09:49

"so you think the horror expressed by most posters is us being 'square'?"

Yes, because I think "horror" is really an overreaction, and I think the prim, stick-up-the-arse professionalism and service of capital beyond all things that dominates this site is reaaaaaaally boring. Give me someone who is a hot mess brilliant creative any day to hang out with over a stuffy suit.

My priorities in the OP's case would be firstly, nailing the presentation in a way that discretely protected the colleague (I'd just say 'she's not feeling well, can you send me the data'); and secondly, not wasting time whining about a problem like this on a very, very well-used social media site. How many presentations do you think there are today in Lisbon today by a UK-based team of two women? I would say they're pretty identifiable.

Southwestten · 09/05/2019 09:50

Best of luck op.
Downcasteyes if it’s perfectly acceptable in academia to get completely rat arsed at conferences then that doesn’t reflect very well on academia.

CrotchetyQuaver · 09/05/2019 09:51

Good news your other colleague told your manager and he's been in touch, that must be a relief. Fingers crossed for you in the presentation

acatcalledjohn · 09/05/2019 09:52

My priorities in the OP's case would be firstly, nailing the presentation in a way that discretely protected the colleague (I'd just say 'she's not feeling well, can you send me the data');

Why? It's not as if dear colleague is being discrete about being a total liability through choice. Why cover for it?

Fuck that. The OP has her own reputation and job security to worry about.

JingsMahBucket · 09/05/2019 09:53

@Dyrne
I also wonder if she has form for this on work trips, given how quick other colleague escalated it to the manager.

Good point. Other colleagues may have been keeping tabs on her for years but actually never reported it to a manager.

I’m just hoping she shuts the fuck up during the presentation and only chimes in when absolutely necessary to support when OP is demoing. I also hope she loses her job. It might be the wake up call she needs.

bumblingbovine49 · 09/05/2019 10:00

What a pity your boss heard through a 3rd party , that news ought to have come from you

Personally, I think this is the best outcome possible in terms of letting the manager know. The bearer of bad news always gets some blame, particularly if they are in any way associated with the bad news.

Your colleague in the office had no stake in this so was the perfect person to tell your boss, in particular as it shows you in a good light (i.e getting a copy of slides and sorting out the issue, instead of going running to your manager with a problem and no solution at a point it was too late for him/her to do anything about it)

Good luck op. You have handled a very difficult situation really well and I hope the presentation goes well. I hope your colleague is not sacked as you say she is normally very conscientious but she should be reprimanded as it is really not acceptable. Hopefully it is a one-off for her.

As for those who were having a go at you for not being ready in advance, I used to have a job like this and we always put the presentation together the day before in the hotel. We did of course get the draft slides ready before leaving, but the hotel was where we put it together and decided who would do what and when etc. This is a normal way to prepare and your boss will know that. Your colleague was effectively drinking at work so completely not on

JollyHolly30 · 09/05/2019 10:01

Good luck for the meeting. Looking forward to your update Smile

IAmNotAWitch · 09/05/2019 10:06

Fuck worrying about being "square". If your behaviour is going to impact my bonus we are going to have a problem.

Southwestten · 09/05/2019 10:09

Give me someone who is a hot mess brilliant creative any day to hang out with over a stuffy suit.

I daresay. However presumably over and above students’ fees some tax payers money goes towards universities, so without people being in a fit state to earn money on which tax is paid what do you suggest instead to pay for further education institutions?

IneedKirstieandPhil · 09/05/2019 10:10

Good luck with the presentation and meeting op

Pinkyyy · 09/05/2019 10:14

Good luck OP!

SinisterBumFacedCat · 09/05/2019 10:15

Yes, because I think "horror" is really an overreaction, and I think the prim, stick-up-the-arse professionalism and service of capital beyond all things that dominates this site is reaaaaaaally boring. Give me someone who is a hot mess brilliant creative any day to hang out with over a stuffy suit.

Christ how old are you? I work in the creative industry, someone getting pissed before a presentation would not be tolerated. Afterwards, letting your hair down is fine, but not acting like a prick. And why waste valuable covering for a colleague who doesn’t give a shit about you or the company you are representing and being paid by to be there. I’d rather be a “square” than a wet fucking blanket.

GallopingGreen · 09/05/2019 10:15

Imagine your doing an awesome job right now OP!!! Harness the adrenaline from this shitshow and go get that renewal!

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 09/05/2019 10:16

Glad your boss found out and yes, I think perhaps the other colleague letting him know was the best situation, as it means it can't come back on you "grassing up" your colleague.

She deserves all the shit that comes her way over this, mind. Hope her head's banging as well.

HollowTalk · 09/05/2019 10:20

I think your colleague has a problem with alcohol and that's why she doesn't go to work events. Anyone who's drinking pints early in the morning on a business trip has a problem.

chocolateandpinkgin · 09/05/2019 10:21

Glad your boss found out and yes, I think perhaps the other colleague letting him know was the best situation, as it means it can't come back on you "grassing up" your colleague

Yep this. Hope it's going well!

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