to be fed up with colleague working on her days off

[Ceci03]

So my colleague works 3 days a week, but she's started checking her emails, and ending up working on the other 2 days as well. It's just starting to really piss me off. I'm full time, and here, wanting work to do, but she wont put an 'out of office' on her email, or email forwarding, and won't let me pick up any of "her" work when she's off-time, she deals with it herself. I'm not sure if she doesnt trust me, or she is just a bit of a control freak. It's annoying cos I am full-time, and was brought in originally as there was too much work for 1 part-timer. I'm sitting here twiddling my thumbs and she's just put a message on teams that she is online this morning as she has a lot of urgent things to deal with (she doesnt work on Fridays). I replied to her to just forward stuff over to me, but she said it's no problem. Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

It sounds like she's been there years but in other roles and this role is soon coming to an end. It might not have anything to do with you, just her wanting to look like she's a really hard worker so they will keep her on. That's what I'd assume.

@garlictwist

I am also contracted to work 3 days a week but I do bits and bobs on my days off, including weekends. This is because I prefer to work when I'm in the mood and have brain power (early mornings) so would prefer to crack on with things and get them done when I'm feeling productive. I don't mind that I'm not paid for it because if you even it out it's just a few hours here and there.

I suppose the difference is no one else covers my job so it's just me and I'm therefore not doing anyone else out of work.

Yes exactly the same for me. I also have a lot of anxiety surrounding work and this is part of the reason I like to check emails on my days off. I can totally see why it's annoying you though as you're supposed to be job sharing.

Definitely raise the issue of being under-utilised with your boss, who will either just take it at face value and find more work for you, or will twig that there is an issue. If pressed you could always say you've wondered whether you've got anything wrong and now she is reticent to let go to you, because if that's the case you'd welcome a chance to apologise, learn and develop.

She is trying to push you out. Speak to your manager. People like her are a nightmare. I agree it gives a false sense of what can be achieved in part-time hours.