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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:
impostersyndrome · 09/05/2019 21:15

Another academic chipping in to state for the record that in the 50+ conferences I’ve attended around the world I’ve never seen anyone obviously drunk. I must move in very sedate circles.

As for the actual subject of the thread, for what it’s worth, I think a manager should be asked for advice, if only to get backup if things go wrong.

CanuckBC · 09/05/2019 21:19

Wow, for the client to have to step in to the presentation to help out is not good at all.

OP I hope things go well for you when you get back to the office!

churchthecat · 09/05/2019 21:22

For those watching the game, doesn't Ozil look knackered? I hope he can go have dinner now if it's night in Valencia.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
girlywhirly · 09/05/2019 21:23

I’m pleased that it went well for you.

However, I do think your colleague has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, if her first response to being away from her family and responsibilities is to get wasted. I think she’s a binge drinker, and it could get worse.

I hope she gets a rocket from her manager though, enough to make it crystal clear how stupid she’s been.

It will be interesting to hear what the outcome is and what they decide to do with her, I can’t imagine you being keen to work with her again!

Isthisafreename · 09/05/2019 21:25

@downcast eyes - I'm an academic. I go to conferences, which are basically the biggest piss-ups ever,

@SelfIdentifyingAsAnonymous - everyone knows conferences are just excuses for piss ups and shagathons

I'm obviously going to the wrong conferences then. Most of the ones I go to are full of dedicated, hard working people who want to share their work with others and hopefully build on their network with a view to cross-institutional collaboration.

Yes, people have a few drinks but it would be very rare for anyone to be drunk.

Bere111 · 09/05/2019 21:29

I work for an international electronics brand, all work trips involve drinking. Particularly if you’re remotely connected to the sales team!!

livefornaps · 09/05/2019 21:33

I have been gripped by this today!!

sonjadog · 09/05/2019 21:34

I was also wondering which academic conferences these were. Mine are never like that. We do go to the bar for a few drinks in the evening, but the people presenting the next day as good as always go back to their rooms early to prepare for the next day.

DeRigueurMortis · 09/05/2019 21:56

I've been on many trips like this with work.

However the golden rule is always to get the job done, then celebrate....

Being hungover for the main purpose of the trip was an absolute no, no.

Having a boozy night afterwards (assuming it went well), not a problem (unless it resulted in you missing your flight home - as happened to one collègue Shock).

woolduvet · 09/05/2019 22:08

Did she apologise to you today for her performance

BumbleBeee69 · 09/05/2019 22:09

CCTV still on film and proves the point durr yea.film not readily or immediately available to op
How’s that play out in your mind bumble,the op asks a hotel for cctv to support a work related difficulty
Because the hotel simply won’t hand cctv over to op.and the op won’t actually be able to use it in a tah-dah,look at this way
It’s a work gripe not jack reacher plot

oh dear, you're taking this really personally huh Grin

WarmestRegards · 09/05/2019 22:11

This reply has been deleted

This has been been removed by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

NigesFakeWalkingStick · 09/05/2019 22:29

I'm glad it went well OP - in spite of your colleagues flagrant lack of professionalism. I can't believe you were put in that position - you poor thing.

Hope you are having a well earned glass of wine now it's all over, and your colleague is hanging out of her arse Grin

Rabbitmug · 09/05/2019 22:43

Love that some posters are still giving advice! 😆

teddy4 · 09/05/2019 22:48

Honestly, who keeps the compiling of presentation for a night before the customer meet? I think customers deserve better dedication and planning. If you haven't sorted that before going abroad, you are as much in this mess as her.
The responsibility isn't over by sitting a night before and realizing someone else is too messed up to PLAN on the last min.

I think the manager should have had a review before setting you both out. I understand your frustration but cant overlook this grave flaw here!

ginnylicious12 · 09/05/2019 22:57

Poor you, this sounds an absolute nightmare. Explain to the boss what is going on? You do not want this lady's behaviour to drag you down

myrtleWilson · 09/05/2019 23:00

ginny I know you're new but you may want to read the thread before commenting - the OP knows the boss knows whats happening - but welcome anyway!

Isthisafreename · 09/05/2019 23:01

@teddy4 - I think the manager should have had a review before setting you both out. I understand your frustration but cant overlook this grave flaw here!

I can only assume you don't work in a professional job that requires customer presentations? Nobody has their manager go over their presentations once they are over a very junior level. If you need your presentation reviewed, you are not competent enough to do the job.

prettybird · 09/05/2019 23:09

Glad it went well.

I'd often had to pull together presentations from a well used and rehearsed deck of slides the day before and would use flights/the night before to go through it with a technical colleague who would add his or her bits and give us time to customise to the client. Often you'd be busy on other bids or presentations (or delivering a project) in the run up, so while it would be preferable to prepare and complete it well in advance, it might not be feasible Hmm

If it was a subject and client I was familiar with, this wouldn't be a problem.

What would be a problem was if said colleague didn't do their bit. Good on you for getting it sorted with your other colleague - and also for the fact that your boss (who sounds reasonable) is aware via that colleague. You've demonstrated your professionalism. Fingers crossed that your client recognises this and overlooks the poor performance of your hungover colleague. Smile

It does sound like she has other, deeper issues - but that's not what you were asking about last night. If your social circles overlap at all, you could gently check with any of her friends and see if they can offer her support. That's the most I would get involved.

prettybird · 09/05/2019 23:15

...and except when I was a raw graduate recruit, it was very rare for a "manager" to check over my presentations (in fact, I had manager in my own job title) unless it was for a major, major bid where we had significant competition. Even then, we would still fine tune once we were in the country/location.

Passtherioja · 09/05/2019 23:18

Your colleague is in a dark place in her personal life-I'm glad it went well, give her this time and don't mention it to anyone at work...she doesn't need another negative-this is a cry for help

IvanaPee · 09/05/2019 23:23

How do you know??

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 09/05/2019 23:25

If it's a cry for help, all the more reason for the colleague's manager to be involved. It isn't fair to put this on the OP, especially if there are MH issues.

RSAcre · 09/05/2019 23:33

Honestly, who keeps the compiling of presentation for a night before the customer meet?

Everybody, @Teddy4. Everybody.
Unless you are so junior you need to have your manager check your work, or so lacking in direction & revenue targets that you think you have time to pack in the prep within the 9 - 5.

SignOnTheWindow · 09/05/2019 23:56

What's all this shit about creatives?

Some of us creatives are pretty organised and don't behave like arseholes to our colleagues.

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