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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:
lololove · 08/05/2019 21:27

Cover your back with regards to keeping your client and keeping your bonus. She sure as hell won't back you up tomorrow or with your boss if it goes pear shaped if this is how she's behaving now!

You can't trust her, look after number one - she definitely is!

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 08/05/2019 21:27

I'm with Ziggles and Ataluna.

I hope you have the slides from her soon... can you cover her part if you need to?

mathanxiety · 08/05/2019 21:27

She is going to say you both got shit faced today if the presentation goes badly and you mention her drinking as a mitigating circumstance.

Speak up now. No amount of excuses after the fact will cut it.

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WhoKnewBeefStew · 08/05/2019 21:28

She’s absolutely out of order and being extremely unprofessional whilst landing you right in the shit..

If you cock up the presentation because if her, your audience and manager won’t think X was incapable, they’ll think you are both incapable. You really need to cover your arse on this. Your misplaced loyalty won’t pay your mortgage when you get fired. As a manager, I’d want to know wtf was going on. At least I could assist you in not making a fuck up tomorrow.

BlackPrism · 08/05/2019 21:28

I understand needing time away and getting pissed but you do they after the presentation ffs

Neighneigh · 08/05/2019 21:30

Afraid I've seen first hand what happens here... I was at a massive very important sponsor meeting once, all the top clients, ceos etc there.... One guy who had been out big time the night before was up to make his presentation, utterly wankered, embarrassed himself and the company. He got sent straight home and sacked when he stepped off the plane. Please don't let your colleague present to clients when she'll be hungover and under prepared. You need to call it now, tell your boss your colleague can't do it (expand later why) and get ready to do it all yourself. You didn't get her in this position, she did. Just don't let your clients see it.

whatisheupto · 08/05/2019 21:31

If the company lose this contract, it could have further reaching consequences than just you losing your bonus. Do you know how much the contract is worth? It's a tough time for many businesses....

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 08/05/2019 21:33

OP, you need to tell your boss what is going on.

VladmirsPoutine · 08/05/2019 21:34

How bizarre.

ControversialFerret · 08/05/2019 21:35

Bear in mind that if they find out after the fact and you don't get the contract then she'll be in the shit for getting pissed, and you'll be in the shit for poor judgement by covering it up.

Atalune · 08/05/2019 21:36

I really think you should be wary of telling your boss until you have to...she might rally through dinner and knock it on the head.

She might be an under pressure person and wake up bright as a penny tomorrow.

I wonder that it could be perceived that your inability to deal with this situation will reflect badly on you. But then I have worked in very commercial, macho industries where the culture is quite aggressive.

TokyoSushi · 08/05/2019 21:36

Oh OP, what a nightmare.

I'd skip the dinner and prepare the presentation as if I was doing it by myself. Then at least if she doesn't provide the slides/doesn't show up/is hungover tomorrow you can save face in front of the client and then deal with the fall out afterwards.

Flowers not Gin for you.

Whisky2014 · 08/05/2019 21:37

I'd wait to see if she does give you the slides. I'd also see how the presentation goes I think it sounds like you can do it myself and if she doesn't input to it, if she sleeps in etc etc I would definitely be letting manager know when you got back. If she does ok, I'd probably stay quiet but tell her she's out of order.

Veterinari · 08/05/2019 21:37

You need to tell your boss what is happening

CodenameVillanelle · 08/05/2019 21:37

You MUST give your manager the heads up before you do the presentation. I'm shocked that you are thinking of risking it!

Mummyoflittledragon · 08/05/2019 21:39

I hope you get the slides from her whatever they may be. I also think a heads up to your boss isn’t a bad thing. Right now it’s not just about her arse or yours. It’s about the company’s reputation.

Is your boss aware the two of you hadn’t created the slides before arriving?

Atalune · 08/05/2019 21:39

Actually the only thing you could do it email or call saying.

I just want to give you the heads up that A is AWOL and she may well pitch up tomorrow ready to go, but at this point she’s five sheets to the wind and I have yet to see her slides for tomorrow.
I have done XYZ to mitigate this and am happy to present solo tomorrow with this content. Just want to make sure your happy with that and prep us for the possible outcome that colleague isn’t gong to come up trumps tomorrow.

BentBaastard · 08/05/2019 21:40

Blimey I would be furious with her.

You do really need to cover your own back.

Lochroy · 08/05/2019 21:40

If it's such an important presentation, why wasn't it compiled long before you left home?

lablablab · 08/05/2019 21:41

Oh what a nightmare. Hopefully dinner will sober her up but be prepared to go solo at the presentation as I don't think you can rely on her.

NarcissistMum · 08/05/2019 21:42

You need to tell your boss. You can’t carry the can for her drunken antics.

rillette · 08/05/2019 21:43

I'd pop in blank slides wherever she's supposed to have them and 'hand over to my colleague' whenever they appear in the presentation tomorrow!

SellFridges · 08/05/2019 21:44

I agree with Atalune, and you OP really.

Priority number one is getting the presentation prepped. See what you can sort tonight, get a rest and she’ll probably be ready and waiting in the morning. If she’s not, you’ll be pretty much ready to fly solo anyway.

Talk to your boss about it afterwards, when it’s handled.

DramaRamaLlama · 08/05/2019 21:46

How many of you saying "tell your manager" actually work in/have a team that pitches/presents overseas? Assuming the OP is in fact a) an adult and b) senior as her assignment implies this is insane advice.

OP. Do not go for dinner! Give your colleague a strong talking to. At this stage this is salvageable. Once you've phone me your boss I fear you're both screwed.

Accountant222 · 08/05/2019 21:47

I worked with someone like that, I covered for her for so long I almost got myself sacked

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