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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu to complain about colleague

16 replies

TheBatPig · 04/09/2015 21:19

Long story, which I shall try to cut short:
I work in a small office with just 4 regular staff plus 3 bosses (partners in company). Two full time staff members plus me and other colleague who are part time and job share. It is sales based plus lots of admin if that is relevant.all 4 of us have same job title. I have worked there longer than two but less than one, yet I believe am the lowest paid (due to experience in this type of work).

My issue is that one colleague does not pull his weight. He has poor time management, is late for appointments unless prompted by me or others, forgets to do follow up work and sometimes denies all knowledge of knowing about this despite it being on record they were supposed to do something. Now this person has a good sales record, however have stolen sales off other staff by various means, and never bother with the paperwork etc that should follow the sale.

I also have reason to believe they have told potential customers it is only they who deal with sales, that they are the office manager etc, which makes it difficult for other staff to achieve their sales target.

In addition, this person often is late, takes longer on their lunch breaks and uses business time to conduct their own affairs, even when we are busy. I have also had to deal with a few complaints made against this person, which I would not mind as my previous role was complaints based, except for the fact they are paid more than me, and pretend to be my senior.

I have complained about him before, which has resulted in an all staff email reminding us about certain things I have mentioned. But would I be unreasonable to complain to the bosses again, and expect them to address it with the person who it relates to? As opposed to tarring the rest of us with the same brush.

Any advice on how to go about this is much appreciated as I feel that I have ignored it for as long as I can

OP posts:

amarmai · 04/09/2015 21:28

sounds like he's buddybuddy with 1 of the 3 bosses?

Original poster

TheBatPig · 04/09/2015 21:31

I would say the same if I was asked and didn't know. But they claim not to be overly keen on him, it's just they are never in the office so they don't see a lot of what goes on. I also think they just want an easy life. And as me and other colleagues have always cleaned up after this guy they are happy to leave as is. Which is frustrating

OP posts:

SquinkiesRule · 04/09/2015 21:34

I'd stop covering for him or reminding him, let him fall on his face. Keep detailed notes of any sales so of he tries to steal any you can prove he has taken them.
Complain again to all three bosses in an email or something you can keep as proof of when you did it.
Then start looking for a new job in the meantime.

Original poster

TheBatPig · 04/09/2015 21:41

Yes I will do the email thing to the bosses. I guess I just feel a bit guilty as he is a nice person out of work, birthday cards and brining in biscuits etc for me that I feel bad in complaining about him.

OP posts:

MaxieMouse · 04/09/2015 21:42

I'd really start looking for another job if I were you... 3 bosses for 4 employees and they can't tell what's going on in the office - that sounds like a really badly managed business.

Original poster

TheBatPig · 04/09/2015 21:48

I know, they are never in really so don't know what goes on day to day. I would look for another job but there's not much about where I live that would work out an equivalent salary as I currently get commission on top of basic hourly rate. It is NMW but the commission is quite good. And despite him I do enjoy the job and it is otherwise stress free

OP posts:

Whoknewitcouldbeso · 04/09/2015 21:55

If he is bringing in the sales they won't be keen to get rid if him regardless of whether he is getting them in an underhanded way or by following the rules.

KanyeWestPresidentForLife · 04/09/2015 22:06

This is why I would never again work for a small business. Complain if you want, but don't be surprised if he wiggles out of it because he's matey with the boss and he then starts to make trouble for you.

antimatter · 04/09/2015 22:09

I would step covering for him. If the proverbial hits the fan you will see if he really is the best buddy with your bosses.

RealityPlanet · 04/09/2015 22:16

I sympathise.

There is someone at my workplace who is like this. He takes sales off the rest of us in a very underhand way and then gets the credit and commission for them.

He is also best of friends with the boss which means that the boss gives him extra opportunities for sales that the rest of us do not get, and he is then hailed as some kind of amazing super salesman when in actual fact he does fuck all and is a snake.

Pisses me right off.

Original poster

TheBatPig · 04/09/2015 22:18

I am going to stop picking up the pieces for him. Not sure if I can get the others t do the same, it's awkward being such a small business as they will then have to deal with irate clients. But I get the reasoning and will try not to cover for him anymore. I have done it twice before which resulted in a complaint that I ended up having to resolve. I guess I need to be more assertive in future telling him to sort his own shit out

OP posts:

AllThePrettySeahorses · 04/09/2015 22:26

Sounds exactly like where I used to work until early last year (apart from the stress-free part ).

Seeing as you're obviously a responsible member of staff for organising his time and dealing with the complaints, do you think there's any chance your bosses might be interested in a little promotion for you? If they're out all the time, they could really do with an office manager, even PT.

PunkrockerGirl · 04/09/2015 22:32

Absolutely stop covering for him and don't remind him about anything.
Keep records about his bad time keeping and any fake claims he's making to clients.
Be assertive with him, don't feel guilty. He sure as hell doesn't feel guilty and he'll continue to get away with it as long as you continue to enable him.

BoffinMum · 04/09/2015 22:40

I would keep a diary and stop covering for him. And organise a promotion for myself by sucking up to the bosses in a professional but unavoidable way.

DoreenLethal · 04/09/2015 23:01

Why are you all covering for him?

Fatmomma99 · 04/09/2015 23:09

I'm not saying this to be difficult, BatPig (what a name you do have!!!) but I think you should stop stressing about him and let all that go and just get on, because it sounds like apart from him, you enjoy your job and you'd find if difficult to replace it.

So my advice fwiw would be: DO stop enabling him. DO keep detailed records as evidence. DO call him/clients out (eg "no, we're all equal sales people") and don't worry about him and just enjoy your job and the benefits.

Good luck!

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