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Nightmare colleague- tips to keep my cool?

17 replies

Lochnessgiraffe · 09/12/2021 15:57

I started a new job 6 weeks ago and the person I'm taking over from is a nightmare. He's passive aggressive and outright resentful of me. He's a contractor who's been there 3 months but didn't get the job I did and he's slowly driving me nuts. I'm counting down the days until he goes. How do I not lose my shirt with him in the next week?

OP posts:
AbsolutelyFuckinFabulousDarlin · 09/12/2021 16:01

Speak to your manager/supervisor if it's that bad or ask him if there is a problem, every time. You've nothing to loose.

Lochnessgiraffe · 09/12/2021 19:31

I've asked to speak to my manager but need to refrain from speaking back as well

OP posts:
grooveonthemove · 09/12/2021 19:45

If it's only a week, be really carefully passive-aggressive and overly nice?

'Graham, would you like me to speak slowly and in English?' Then mutter coughfuckoffcough Xmas Grin

ruabon1977 · 09/12/2021 19:49

Talk to your manager. Contractors can be let go early- could you say the handover is complete?

Lochnessgiraffe · 09/12/2021 19:53

He's convinced they'll have him back in the new year . He keeps telling everyone he'll be back . And dissing my experience and telling me I'm doing things not the way he'd do it .

OP posts:
britnay · 09/12/2021 19:54

@Lochnessgiraffe

He's convinced they'll have him back in the new year . He keeps telling everyone he'll be back . And dissing my experience and telling me I'm doing things not the way he'd do it .
You're not doing things the way he would, and yet you are the one who they are keeping on. What does this tell him?
Lochnessgiraffe · 09/12/2021 19:57

I know if it had been me. I'd be looking for another job and bowing out gracefully.

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MadameMonk · 09/12/2021 20:09

I’d go hard on the faux sympathy, treat him as a small child who has hurt himself. He’ll hate it. He’s trying to get under your skin, and power-play, so playing a pity game towards him will counter that.

‘Oh Graham, you seem so sad about this job ending. How can we help? Never mind, lots of free time to do things you prefer soon. Gosh, you seem extra stressed, is there someone we can call for you? Here, got you a biscuit. You seem so upset and I wanted to do something nice. I’m a bit worried, will you be ok? I’m hearing from everyone that you’re a bit out of sorts, Graham, what can we do to make it better for you in the short time left?

Not all at once, obviously. With a furrowed brow, head tilt and very very gentle tone. Perhaps a little pat on the arm, if you can stretch to it. He’ll soon shut his pie-hole.

I’d be handing him a brochure for local therapy services too, but I’m old enough to find these gits entertaining rather than upsetting. Wink

Lochnessgiraffe · 09/12/2021 20:20

I think the thing that pushed me over the edge today was after each meeting he pointed out that this was his last x meeting. Cue lots of "oh we'll miss you good luck sorry you're leaving" him " well I can stay" fake laugh. Then he told me that the senior staff have said he should come back. Argh

OP posts:
StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 09/12/2021 20:32

Of course the senior staff said that 😁😁

tectonicplates · 09/12/2021 20:35

Do you know when exactly his last day will be?

Lochnessgiraffe · 09/12/2021 20:36

I know I keep biting my tongue what I want to day is if you were any fucking good they would have offered you the perm job. You're looking like a whiny muppet shut up! But I keep smiling and nodding and sympathise. 1 week to goHmm

OP posts:
Bellyups · 09/12/2021 20:37

What a bellend

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 09/12/2021 20:38

I've seen senior staff wishing employees 'best of luck' and 'keep in touch' when I know they're delighted to see the back of them. I would take zero notice of any gushing comments. If he was so marvellous he would have got the job. He didn't. Grit your teeth. In a week he'll be gone. And he won't be back!

Lochnessgiraffe · 10/12/2021 09:08

Well I've just spoken to my manager who completely had my back and stated that twat will definitely not be coming back and will never work for this company again. So he's definitely pissed off more people than just me.

OP posts:
Forion · 10/12/2021 10:35

He sounds like David Brent from The Office where he kept popping back in after he'd been made redundant just to check on how things were going 😄

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 10/12/2021 12:42

@Lochnessgiraffe great update! Just nod and smile. It wont be long...

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