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Original poster

How would you handle this work situation?

11 replies

janeseymour78 · 10/06/2022 22:56

I started working in a project management role 6 months ago. I work closely with developers and one in particular really helped me learn the ropes when I started. She was also really productive and always got work done on time. We also got on very well.

I've noticed a significant change in the last month. She is consistently not completing work, small things are taking 3 weeks to do & her updates are so lacking in detail I almost have nothing to go on.

We also always had warm chats and virtual/in person cuppas. Now it's all shop talk with zero niceties & she sounds very flat. She has stopped coming in to the office. I raised it with my boss and he said they would keep an eye on it

Now at the end of another week, minimal progress has been made again - even though she has been allocated plenty of time. How can I deal with this without making her feel attacked?

OP posts:
Original poster
janeseymour78 · 10/06/2022 23:03

I should mention that not getting the work done is directly affecting me as I need to smooth over any delays with the clients.

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 10/06/2022 23:28

It really sounds as though she shouldn't be working from home, since she isn't actually doing any work. Is it up to her to make that decision?

Eyesopenwideawake · 10/06/2022 23:33

"Hey lovie, how are things? Are you OK?" is a really good start.

dangermouseisace · 10/06/2022 23:35

Do you think something is going on for her personally? It sounds like quite a change.

TaranThePigKeeper · 10/06/2022 23:37

It sounds to me as though she has something significant going on in her life. If her attitude and demeanour have changed so much, she might be unwell, or depressed, or caring for someone who is ill, or under some personal stress, hence the need to work from home, and the unwillingness of the manager to make an issue of it.

You clearly need help getting the work problem sorted, so you have a good reason to go to your boss for help, but stay focussed on your own difficulty, not what you perceive as your colleague’s failing. So just say, I’m consistently not getting the information I need for the weekly update meeting [or whatever]. Can you help me work out what we can do to work around it?

Fortboyard · 10/06/2022 23:39

How long since you raised it with your boss? She might have told her manager if there’s something going on for her (illness, tragedy, divorce/depression etc) right now so they’re not pressing her. I wouldn’t hassle her directly as you can’t be sure of what might be happening in her personal life. Alternatively they might have her on performance improvement plan but she’s not responding.
if it’s been a while since you spoke to your manger, politely bring it up and ask for support to smooth things over with clients until colleague is back up to normal speed.

Threetulips · 10/06/2022 23:41

Why not approach it with an offer of help?

Message her and see if she’s free for a coffee? That’s not unusual. Then see what she needs.

Rainbowqueeen · 10/06/2022 23:52

Sounds like there is sone kind of stress in her life eg serious illness, divorce etc.
Id ask her if she was ok, say you’ve noticed a change and want to put in place sone supports for her to do her job effectively. Ask what she needs.

Original poster
janeseymour78 · 11/06/2022 00:37

Fortboyard · 10/06/2022 23:39

How long since you raised it with your boss? She might have told her manager if there’s something going on for her (illness, tragedy, divorce/depression etc) right now so they’re not pressing her. I wouldn’t hassle her directly as you can’t be sure of what might be happening in her personal life. Alternatively they might have her on performance improvement plan but she’s not responding.
if it’s been a while since you spoke to your manger, politely bring it up and ask for support to smooth things over with clients until colleague is back up to normal speed.

I raised it a week ago. The management aren't aware of anything personal going on. I did notice her colleague had been promoted so I did wonder if she was put out.

Last I heard she was looking after a friend's pet and working from home more because of that but that's about it.

OP posts:
Original poster
janeseymour78 · 11/06/2022 00:40

Rainbowqueeen · 10/06/2022 23:52

Sounds like there is sone kind of stress in her life eg serious illness, divorce etc.
Id ask her if she was ok, say you’ve noticed a change and want to put in place sone supports for her to do her job effectively. Ask what she needs.

The thing is I'm not her line manager so I don't feel it's my place to have this conversation. Actually her own manager is pretty hopeless a lot of the time. My bosses are better and probably could approach it if needed.

It's tricky because I manage the project and need her to be meeting the deadlines but I'm also not managing her directly to be able to approach the change. I could try approaching her manager but don't want to make it into a big deal.

I wonder if I need to lay my cards on the table. This isn't working right now and I'm not sure why the tasks aren't getting done etc. She will probably get defensive but it's a fact.

OP posts:
N1C · 11/06/2022 01:00

I would make the most of the rapport you initially built and be honest about things from your perspective. In a non-confrontational way, take some time to explain from your perspective what you've noticed and ask "what's been going on recently" so you can try to understand what new barriers to her work may have cropped up.

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