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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to report my colleague? (WWYD?)

94 replies

WheresMyMountainGoat · 10/02/2017 22:03

I've NC'd for this.

I work in a small team of two in an open planned office, with our boss working in a different location.

In the past few months I've noticed my colleague spending a lot of time doing non-work activities on their (work) computer; things like online shopping / personal photo editing / news reading.

I'm not sure if this has gone unnoticed by my boss. We rarely share deadlines, but I have noticed these being missed. Delays are often blamed on other people within the business.

The lack of work doesn't really impact on my role, which is why I've kept my nose out thus far. However, its increasingly annoying watching the procrastination happen (often for most of the day), and then listening to the bullshit stories covering for it.

Whilst a few people in the office have noticed, they won't comment as separate teams - they're also my friends, so more likely to mention it to me!

WWYD? AIBU to mention it to my boss?

OP posts:
witsender · 10/02/2017 22:04

I wouldn't.

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 10/02/2017 22:05

I probably would mention it if they're missing deadlines and bull shitting. They're obviously demotivated and bored with their job I reckon.

Vanillamanilla1 · 10/02/2017 22:06

Yes I would mention it
Why should you get a bollocking for someone else and pick up the slack for her
I'm assuming you all get paid the same

AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered · 10/02/2017 22:06

I might mention the deadlines but definitely wouldn't mention the online stuff, that looks like petty spying.

drinkyourmilk · 10/02/2017 22:06

I'm heavily pregnant with hyperemesis. I have been rubbish at work. I can barely concentrate for an hour without doing something else. My colleagues must think a total slacker! I have been taking stuff home and working there to make up the hours.
Could something similar be happening with your colleague?

DontTouchTheMoustache · 10/02/2017 22:10

Could you subtly make them aware that it is noticed? Like when it's happening looking over and saying "if you are bored why don't you speak to the manager about taking on some different tasks? If someone mentions it to them you would probably get in trouble"
It might give your colleague a kick up the arse to do it less. Or even let them know that a few people have commented on it to you and you are concerned they will get reported?

LucklessMonster · 10/02/2017 22:11

We rarely share deadlines, but I have noticed these being missed.

The lack of work doesn't really impact on my role,

Say nothing. It hardly ever ends well for the people who bring it up. Let the bosses work it out for themselves.

Original poster
WheresMyMountainGoat · 10/02/2017 22:12

Vanilla I would imagine at least the same, if not more.

Hedgehog I think the deadlines are a known problem (or at least, a fairly visible problem). But it's the reason for the deadline(s) being missed which is the issue... my boss is being told it's due to other colleagues/workload. I know it's not.

drink... I'm 99% sure this isn't happening.

OP posts:
Original poster
WheresMyMountainGoat · 10/02/2017 22:15

Dont - if it was anyone else in the office, I probably would. But I have a feeling it wouldn't end well.

Luckless - those are the two things stopping me. We often work on projects together, but with separate deadlines. So I see them, but I purposefully keep my work apart.

I would say it has changed how I work; I'm more proactive and less reliant on them to complete work on time (in cases where it does overlap). But I don't see that as a bad thing Grin.

OP posts:
Trollspoopglitter · 10/02/2017 22:18

Don't. You're basically telling your boss she/he is not doing theirs, by not managing your colleague.

Trollspoopglitter · 10/02/2017 22:20

Their job, I mean. It's your boss' responsibility to oversee your colleague and if your boss isn't able to figure out what's going wrong where... Then it's her/his problem. And you're pointing it out. Not good.

Original poster
WheresMyMountainGoat · 10/02/2017 22:24

Trolls - that's a really interesting point. I would hate to insult my boss (they're brill!).

OP posts:
witsender · 10/02/2017 22:25

If it doesn't directly impact you I would just ignore it.

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 10/02/2017 22:27

I wouldn't, unless I was actually being negatively impacted by it - if I was having to pick up the slack or was getting the blame.

JoJoSM2 · 10/02/2017 22:28

I would mention it to the colleague first - as you mention you are a team and sooner or later you might start looking bad as a team because of her. Failing that, personally I would tell the boss as it's not fair on everyone else to get blamed for things when she barely does any work.

Crumbs1 · 10/02/2017 22:28

What business is it of yours? What is your motivation? Just sounds like playground tale telling - would not be impressed if one of my team came to me with something like this.

minionsrule · 10/02/2017 22:29

I'm a bit torn on this one. I have a similar situation to you but won't go into detail. I did mention it to my boss, not going online and stuff but other stuff. He did take it on board and said he was keeping an eye on her but to be honest I'm not sure much has been done as I am not sure how much he can prove.
There are other things I could mention to him but to be honest I have decided to back off and leave him to work out what she is up to now. I do like the girl but her work ethic stinks.

IonaNE · 10/02/2017 22:34

If it does not impact on your work then why would you mention it? Are you envious of your colleague's boldness?

thecolonelbumminganugget · 10/02/2017 22:34

I wouldn't, it's annoying but nothing good can come of it for you. Just think of it like this, it makes the amount of work you do look even better by comparison!

Original poster
WheresMyMountainGoat · 10/02/2017 22:34

crumbs it's not; except in the wider business sense that they're doing a lot of personal stuff in company time. Would you not be less impressed with the person who's essentially being paid to read blogs online all day?

OP posts:
Want2bSupermum · 10/02/2017 22:41

Wait for your manager to ask you. They are probably waiting until they have you on your own in person.

Original poster
WheresMyMountainGoat · 10/02/2017 22:43

Iona - I'm impressed by it, but not envious. Too busy for that Wink

colonel - that is a decent consolation. I'll polish my halo...

OP posts:
stoopido · 10/02/2017 22:58

No I wouldn't but then I am not a jobsworth.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 10/02/2017 23:05

The lack of work doesn't really impact my role.

Well there's your answer. Beaky outy.
Not your circus. Not your monkeys.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 10/02/2017 23:06

Do you want the loss of her job on your conscience.