To find this colleague a bit annoying

[halfacupofjuice]

Hello everyone,

I have been working at a particular company for a number of years and over the years things have changed but mostly have stayed the same. We have recently recruited a new person temporarily, as our previous colleague is off long term sick but will be back soon, but we are all finding her a bit... much...and I don't know if I should discuss this with her ( of course in a diplomatic way). Here are the reasons:

1. She comes across that she doesn't know much about our field, but when you speak to her and talk about certain practices and policies, she knows ALOT but tends to die this down but only brings up her knowledge when I challenge her about her practice. The reason why I'm saying this is because I can tell that she is a keen learner but has been using some of her working days to go on training (to be far- only two) but she has just started with us. Also, she has recently asked the company to pay for a course that she would like to attend, we of course declined as we don't pay for trainings for temporary staff and plus there are a number of us in the office who are very specialist and have worked in the role for many of years with who she can seek advice and support from, so it's not an efficient way of using resources.

1. In our company, we have been doing the same things, pretty much, for many years and then she comes in and has begun to ask us whether she can change some of our practices when working with clients.

3.She has only worked for a company for a month, but already she is speaking to similar companies to try and increase our own resources. This is amazing for our company, but I am finding her a bit much.

What should I do? Some of the colleagues feel that she is a bit much and should just take a seat back. How can I advise my new colleague?

In some ways she sounds proactive and your workplace doesn't like change....

She sounds like she’s proactive and good at the job. Maybe she’s actually making some good points that are worth listening to. There’s no need to keep doing things the same way just because “that’s always how we’ve done them”

@Mangotango39

I can understand how that can come across. But there is nothing wrong with the way we run things currently and it has worked for the team, and the company, for many years.

She sounds like she is progressive and thoughtful and is doing things for the benefit of your company. I feel you are threatened and are being a bit mean.

In the job ad did you specify an original thinker, or for someone innovative, or creative, without actually wanting one?

Your response just reiterates what the other two responses have highlighted. It very much sounds like your organisation doesn't like change.

you sound jealous

New people always see agree things can change and should at least be listened too and considered.
Sounds like she's too good for your company to be honest and needs somewhere mote dynamic

She sounds great. I wish some of my staff would show the same initiative!

I wasn't the one who created the job ad so I have no idea. I think she's good in some ways but we do think it's a bit much. I believe that when you first join a company, you should take a bit of a back seat, see how things are run properly and then implement your views. Not just go speed blazing too long.

But my other issue is in regards to trainings- she is keen to go on outsource trainings but does many really come to us where we are specialist in the field and have been doing this for a number of years..

If you're not her line manager keep your opinion to yourself.

It sounds as though you and the other colleagues are talking about her behind her back too. If so stop doing it.

I couldn't personally work somewhere like this, temporary or not, I like the put forward ideas and suggestions.

That's the benefit of getting new people within a team then they bring new experiences to share?

Just because it's always been , doesn't mean it's still the best way.

If you don't want her, our company will take her!

I am her line manager. Sorry, should have made that clearer.

I just read that and literally thought she sounds amazing! 😂 I wish I could be like her

Maybe she doesn't come to you or your team because your unapproachable , after all, your all slagging her off!

So why are you discussing her with other colleagues?

Surely you manage her through the induction process and discuss any concerns you have directly with her in supervision?

Yep this. Your company has been doing the same for years. Her ideas might actually be good. Or are you frightened she will show you up?

@Mangotango39

I don't think it's because of that, she generally wants to find out the latest research and she believes that she will know this from
the outsource trainings than coming to us.

Heh. She sounds like me.

it sounds like you want her to “keep in her place” (temporary position was mentioned several times), but she’s wanting to prove her worth.
that she wants training - she’s ambitious and keen.

I get that it can offend people when someone wants to leap ahead of where they’ve been placed, and she probably has no idea that in trying to be valuable to the company and keen on what she’s doing, she’s stepping on toes.

if your workplace lets her go because she is too ambitious, you’ll ultimately be doing her a favor, as someone will snap her up who wants and values a hard worker who cares.

if you don’t want to keep her, at least don’t chisel away at her worth behind her back. Her worth is not up for negotiation with people who cannot perceive it.

We don't discuss about her in the team. But many of my team members come to me and say 'Oh X said we should do this....' or 'X said she will like to try that, can she as it doesn't fit with her practice... I'm getting a bit tried of her..' etc.

Are you based in England

Honestly she sounds great, eager to self develop (opting to go on training courses), and putting forward ideas for change. I reckon she won’t be doing this same role for many years. She will climb the ranks. You’ll probably only have to deal with her for a few months.

Yes... why?

Why won’t you take some of the ideas on board? You say things work ok now but surely they can be continuously improved