Annoying colleague

[Puddleclucks]

I've started a new job a few months ago, working in a team of 4, we're all the same relatively senior HCP'S.

Two of the team are lovely, but the third one, Lucy, is an absolute pain. She's sort of self appointed herself as my defacto manager and is driving me mad. We work across sites, and she'll Teams me a minute after our start time and 5 minutes before our end time and if I don't have my background visible she'll ask where I am. She makes endless suggestions about how I manage my diary, checks up on my case notes, tries to micro manage the off duty etc.

I'm not new to the role, just new to the team, and I actually have much more experience than she does.

I've explained I don't need help and if I did I'd ask our actual manager, but still she persists.

I don't know whether to ignore her calls, complain to the team manager, put itchy powder on her chair 😀 or something else.

Anyone else solved a problem like this?

I'd probably spend a little time documenting what she is actually doing that affects you over the course of a week or so so that you have some facts to back you up. For example being able to say that she called you before 9:05 eight mornings out of ten over the last two weeks sounds worse that a general 'she's always calling me as soon as I get in' Obviously you should record the things that you find most bothersome.

I'd also consider being more direct with her. Some of the suggestions by previous posters are too vague. You need to tell her what you want and why.

"Lucy, you phone me every morning the minute I get in. I don't like it and consider it a waste of my time, Please will you stop doing this unless you have something urgent that you need to tell me. Thank you"

Don't be tempted to play games or hint or make sarcastic comments. You need to be clear and direct. You can and should be polite.

Would ask her where she is at and not answer her question. Having worked with people like this I ended up leaving as too many people thinking they were my manager. Maybe just be rude and say mind your own I'm fine without your interference. Would also point out that I find your constant checking up on me insulting as we are just colleagues YOU ARE NOT MY MANAGER.

Do you have supervision with your line manager? Mention it then, but not as a complaint, explain how the behaviour impedes you work. It’s insufferable

100% this

I wonder if she is trying to take on a mentoring role (badly). If she hasn’t been appointed as your mentor and her behaviour is affecting your work then speak to your manager about it.