How do I deal with a tough colleague?

[BlueOtter9]

Hi all,

I’m in a department with one particular colleague who turns every minor issue into a big performance. She’s 6 months into the role but wants to be top of the ladder and on numerous occasions, throws me under the bus to make herself look better. Instead of just solving problems in the moment, she escalates, emails feedback to management, goes above me and is sided with because her face fits more than mine doesn’t and generally makes simple situations feel ten times more complicated than they need to be. It often feels like she’s covering herself rather than actually helping, she creates problems and never solutions.

I’m in a leadership role so I have to respond professionally, but honestly, I’m exhausted by the politics and paper trails. I’ve handed in my notice and will be leaving soon, but I still have a few weeks to get through.

Any tips for dealing with a colleague like this in the meantime? I’m thinking minimal interaction / grey-rocking, but open to advice from anyone who’s survived similar!

Thanks x

Agree minimal input and grey rock. People like her thrive on the drama (ala Pamelar shipman..)
she’ll be desperate to be creating and be a victim

I hope you have a job lined up!

If you're leaving I would take as long as possible to respond to emails and deflect them to other staff who are staying.

Has she passed her probation? 🤔

She’s so awful. Before I handed in my notice she along with 3 others would have me in the car park shaking and panicking thinking god what am I walking into.

Everyone supports her EVERYONE loves her. I don’t understand how no one sees through it.

yes I believe she has.

It sounds like Mean Girls 2.0, don’t give them any fodder. grey rock

Omg OP are you me? I'm leaving in a month or two and couldn't be more happier.

They genuinely don't bother me know as I just let it wash over me. They don't know I'm leaving and neither do management yet.

As PPs have suggested just grey rock. Who cares what she think sor does. You're outta there!

Make sure you do an exit interview.

Aren’t they just pointless when the culture is so toxic. It’s easier people like me go so they can have more room for yes men

It’s so exhausting. Even now when she knows I’m going I’m getting emails about my system implementation being ineffective and the worst part is that in the email she shows how inexperienced she is, because she had not considered the obvious contingency plan. Apparently she needs everything spelt out to her but she can call me out, for nothing other than performance.

How long is your notice period? I'd consider going off sick due to work related stress/bullying by staff member. Sounds horrendous.

She also goes above me after every meeting and the upper management support her bullshit. See I would go off sick. But I did that at my last place after a fall on my back left me in agony they thought I was pulling a fast one so I had to send them all my appointments etc. I worry it may look suspicious! Because this time I want to just give in. Plus 2 employers having “staff member was off sick during notice period” doesn’t look so good😭