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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Colleague asking to see my work

51 replies

Dibble135 · 08/11/2022 09:54

My firm does a training course for a limited number of candidates each year which ends with you being asked to come up with and present a new idea to take the business forward.

It was my turn last year and it went really well to the point I am now looking to develop my idea from the theory to reality.

A colleague who is doing it this year has approached me this morning saying he is planning on doing a similar thing and after originally asking a steer in the right direction, has now said he wants me to give him my actual presentation.

I’m surprised he would ask as I don’t know him that well and in any event it’s my work which I spent a long time getting right.

AIBU to say no?

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 08/11/2022 09:55

He wants to take the credit for your idea. What a knob.

araiwa · 08/11/2022 09:56

Obviously you don't share it

Not sure why you'd even entertain the idea

MyCrumpetIsCold · 08/11/2022 09:59

YWBVU… if you said yes! The Cheeky Fecker 😲

ICanHideButICantRun · 08/11/2022 10:01

You would have to be insane to do this!

PeekabooAtTheZoo · 08/11/2022 10:02

Tell him it’s been expanded into a work in progress and not ready to be seen, and/or that you don’t have the original files anymore.

wibblewobbleboard · 08/11/2022 10:02

That would be a no from me

Original poster
Dibble135 · 08/11/2022 10:03

The request has come via email. I have not replied. It’s the fact they have even asked which puzzles me. I would never do that but maybe I’m wrong?

OP posts:
FrenchBoule · 08/11/2022 10:04

He wants you to give him your work?I’d laugh in his face.
CF of the highest order.Tell him to do one,go and do your own research/work you lazy sod.

TheWernethWife · 08/11/2022 10:04

He's a cheeky twat, delete email message and ignore him.

girlmom21 · 08/11/2022 10:05

Tell him the original presentation is not something you're able to share as it's been adapted to produce an actual business model which is confidential until it's finalised.

savingoldbags · 08/11/2022 10:05

Ah, that old chestnut. I had a colleague (in a former job) who used to do this. One time she actually copied huge chunks of my written paper into hers and then stuck her name on the bottom. I feel for it once but never again.

The trick is to say, 'I'd be delighted to share the presentation with you, just as soon as the project has become a reality/gone live'.

SBAM · 08/11/2022 10:06

I’d respond in an exaggerated clueless way - ‘I think I must’ve misunderstood, you can’t want me to send you my presentation from last year so you can copy it for your presentation, that would be silly as the board are looking for original ideas’

yellowstickerbargain · 08/11/2022 10:06

girlmom21 · 08/11/2022 10:05

Tell him the original presentation is not something you're able to share as it's been adapted to produce an actual business model which is confidential until it's finalised.

Ooo I like this response! Yes send this!

FrenchBoule · 08/11/2022 10:06

Ignore the email and any follow up communication from him.You are not obliged to do anything.
He can work on his own ideas.

carefulcalculator · 08/11/2022 10:10

What a cheeky arse! I would say no, but it is hard to phrase it! I would not say no in writing, I would say no verbally.

Betsyboo87 · 08/11/2022 10:13

No no no again. He either has no ideas of his own or odes to understand the task so he will plagiarise it. The response a pp has given is perfect. If you want to be more helpful then offer to review his draft version before he presents.

theemmadilemma · 08/11/2022 10:19

Wouldn't it be glaringly obvious to everyone if he tried to present an idea that is already a project starting up that people are aware of? (That's what I've taken from what you've said.)

Could it not be he's just looking to see your presentation style rather than content as such?

Original poster
Dibble135 · 08/11/2022 10:24

I hope it’s a style thing and trying to give benefit of doubt but it’s hard to show that without giving everything away. I backed up my idea by doing market research and getting buy ins from clients to support the need.

OP posts:
DrinkFeckArseBrick · 08/11/2022 10:25

I'd probably say something vague about them wanting original ideas, or say you've not got the original any more as its been developed into a current work stream and will be very recognisable

However I'd say that I've asked to see successful work before, not to copy ideas but just to try and get a sense of how things were presented, tone, length etc...just to get a sense of what 'good' looks like when I've not done something like that before

Berthatydfil · 08/11/2022 10:26

Can you respond
Hi Steve I was really surprised to receive your email. As you know the candidates undertaking the training have to develop a new business idea and present to the board. While I (delete as necessary) had some advice and consulted with colleagues the final project including the presentation was all my own work.
I wish you all the best with your project but I think your request is inappropriate and I will not be sharing it with you.
kind regards (and fuck off)

Alexandernevermind · 08/11/2022 10:28

You could be naughty about it and reply, ccing your manager and training facilitator.

BlackberryCat · 08/11/2022 10:29

I would just reply “Sorry, I deleted it”.
What can he say to that?

HelplessSoul · 08/11/2022 10:29

You are under no obligation to respond or reply.

Delete the email and forget it.

:)

carefulcalculator · 08/11/2022 10:30

Berthatydfil · 08/11/2022 10:26

Can you respond
Hi Steve I was really surprised to receive your email. As you know the candidates undertaking the training have to develop a new business idea and present to the board. While I (delete as necessary) had some advice and consulted with colleagues the final project including the presentation was all my own work.
I wish you all the best with your project but I think your request is inappropriate and I will not be sharing it with you.
kind regards (and fuck off)

The shorter version of this is 'This doesn't feel right to me as I was told it had to be all my own work' which I would say verbally but wouldn't put in writing.

KettrickenSmiled · 08/11/2022 10:53

A colleague who is doing it this year has approached me this morning saying he is planning on doing a similar thing and after originally asking a steer in the right direction, has now said he wants me to give him my actual presentation.
😂😂😂
Does he think you were born yesterday?
"No ... that would be entirely inappropriate. Good luck with your own presentation."
& DO NOT GET PULLED INTO ANY DISCUSSION.
outofthefog.website/what-not-to-do-1/2015/12/3/jade-dont-justify-argue-defend-explain

Congratulations on your performance last year OP & best of luck taking your concept forward.