Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Fit to EXPLODE - re work colleague

102 replies

cofingalthetime · 30/06/2022 09:16

Sorry for the rant, but honestly, I feel like screaming.

So a colleague, who has worked with me for about 18 months just finished in this role, and has a new job - different department.

BUT, she just won't "let go" of her role. I'm supposed to be looking after her work until they get someone, which I was so happy to do as I don't have enough to do at work, and I want to be busy.

Already the manager has tried to take work off me, and says she will do it until they get a new person - but I argued and said it was no problem

Anyway, what is making me explode today is this colleague is actually on Annual Leave, starting today, until Tuesday - but she is still on her email - she sent her first one at 7.30 this morning. She won't put on an out of office directing queries to me, or to the generic inbox. She is replying to everything, and doing everything herself and just copying me in. I responded and asked her to put on OOO directing them to me, and saying she's on leave, but she hasn't replied and in the meantime has replied to more emails. i've copied in the manager, but she is silent - as she always has been since this started - colleague has been trying to do her job and mine since she began in the role.

It's just so demoralising - I mean what is the point of me even being there. She had a meeting with another person yesterday, and told them she was moving role, but they could still contact her whenever they want. I just replied to an email that came through to the generic inbox - but was too late - she got there first!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel like just logging off and letting her get on with it. I mean, she can't keep doing this can she? The manager hates me, so she just stands back and says nothing, or just laughs it off, and says "ha ha, XXX is just very dedicated".

So fed up

BTW I am looking for another job, but have failed in 2 interviews - it's not easy to get another job - well for me anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
cofingalthetime · 30/06/2022 09:18

OMG she has just sent out emails about something that is coming up in September FFS

OP posts:
Sparkletastic · 30/06/2022 09:20

Why does your manager hate you?

Kione · 30/06/2022 09:21

Just let her, and do something else? It's her loss if she wants to work 2 jobs and even when she is on leave.

There is a similar situation at my work place and I just crack on with other things. But why someone would do extra work for no extra money is just stupid.

PleasantBirthday · 30/06/2022 09:22

XXX is a control freak and a nervous wreck being enabled by weak management. Getting out of there and leaving them together is your best bet. This is not a you problem, this is a them problem.

frazzledasarock · 30/06/2022 09:22

I’d let her get on with it.

you’re still getting paid.

id up my efforts at job hunting though.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 30/06/2022 09:22

i had the same scenario
so frustrating op

Kione · 30/06/2022 09:22

Sparkletastic · 30/06/2022 09:20

Why does your manager hate you?

Yeah I missed this

AmaryIlis · 30/06/2022 09:23

Have you got a separate IT person who can put an Out of Officer message on her email box?

And can you go above your manager if she isn't doing anything about this?

RockinHorseShit · 30/06/2022 09:24

Leave. Find another job. You have a control freak on your hands & very ineffective management, this is never going to go well

Iamnotamermaid · 30/06/2022 09:24

Do you have a user friendly HR department? Could you have an 'off the record' chat with one of them asking for guidance on how to handle this situation?

This situation could backfire for the company and leave them exposed.

Hippopotas · 30/06/2022 09:24

Kione · 30/06/2022 09:21

Just let her, and do something else? It's her loss if she wants to work 2 jobs and even when she is on leave.

There is a similar situation at my work place and I just crack on with other things. But why someone would do extra work for no extra money is just stupid.

Yeah just let her do it it’s no skin off your nose.

Itsbackagain · 30/06/2022 09:26

God if I wasn't off sick that could be me! Having done a job for so long for it to be handed to someone else as a temporary measure I wouldn't be happy as it wouldn't be getting handed over to the permanent person the way I had done it. Apart from her being on annual leave it's called being dedicated and responsible - or sad depending on your age group! I do think it's strange your manager tried to take it off you so perhaps you might need to explore that further.

Purplespup16 · 30/06/2022 09:27

I think I’d speak with ACAS! I would be very concerned that the colleague (and possibly manager) are looking to prove your role is redundant and therefore so are you. Especially as you already don’t have enough work to keep you busy.

TheKeatingFive · 30/06/2022 09:28

That does sound incredibly annoying, but if you've other stuff to do I'd just crack on with that. You can't help the fact she's batshit.

bumpytrumpy · 30/06/2022 09:28

Let her crack on with it.

Use your time to

1 - investigate there is no sinister reason for this ie she's trying to cover up fraud or something which would be uncovered if she let go

2 - enjoy some free time

3 - upskill yourself and job hunt!

balalake · 30/06/2022 09:28

Talk to HR as suggested.

Some auditors insist on no work when on leave, as people who do this may be hiding something.

Itsbackagain · 30/06/2022 09:29

Also given you are aware shes sending out work emails now perhaps you being on MN during your working hours and its not even 930 might explain why she doesn't trust you !

LeniGray · 30/06/2022 09:29

I’d be changing the password to that email account …

Headabovetheparakeet · 30/06/2022 09:29

Use the time to look for a new job.

BeenThereBoughtTheTeeShirt · 30/06/2022 09:30

And breathe.
She is a control freak/micro manager but at some point, will have her own stuff to do is n her new role.
She might just be wanting to make sure that there can be no criticism when new appointee starts, that she has dotted every i and t, so nothing comes back to her at a later date.
Clean handover - it is hard to do if replacement not yet in place and you can get off about these things, especially if you have put your heart and soul into it.
the question is really, Why do they need to replace it there is not enough work for you. Have/can you apply for her role of it if it is the same job spec, point out that you may be able to cover the work alone?

Walkacrossthesand · 30/06/2022 09:33

Have you considered applying for the role that she's vacated?

WhatsHoppening · 30/06/2022 09:35

Put everything down in a professional email to your manager and cc HR in.
If she continues let her- you've raised it and it hasn't been managed- not your fault.

Another one asking why your manager hates you? I am always sceptical of adults saying another adult 'hates' them- it is incredibly immature abnormal behaviour to show 'hatred' towards another adult especially in a professional environment.

purplecorkheart · 30/06/2022 09:40

Why does the manager hate you? Have they some concerns about your standard of work? I think you need to approach your manager asking have they any concerns regarding your work and tell them that you would welcome the opportunity to show your attention to detail/ability to handle a high work load etc.
Don't badmouth your collegue.

Original poster
cofingalthetime · 30/06/2022 09:40

AmaryIlis · 30/06/2022 09:23

Have you got a separate IT person who can put an Out of Officer message on her email box?

And can you go above your manager if she isn't doing anything about this?

I tried this before, but he just deferred to the manager and said it was up to her to sort out workloadsMessage

OP posts:
Original poster
cofingalthetime · 30/06/2022 09:42

purplecorkheart · 30/06/2022 09:40

Why does the manager hate you? Have they some concerns about your standard of work? I think you need to approach your manager asking have they any concerns regarding your work and tell them that you would welcome the opportunity to show your attention to detail/ability to handle a high work load etc.
Don't badmouth your collegue.

I've tried this at least 3 or 4 times, maybe more, but she won't have a serious conversation - she just laughs it off and says 'oh I don't want to overwhelm you'

She doesn't like me because she views me as a trouble maker - she knows I'm in the union, and in the past I used to push back on some of her 'rules' which to me were petty. I've learnt my lesson though, and say nothing now. Just keep my mouth shut and get on with it.

OP posts: