Problem colleague

[Ostagazuzulum]

Aibu to ask how you manage a colleague that

1. constantly tells lies. Usually only small ones that aren't relevant. Sometimes though important ones (usually when they know work related stuff before others that affects us all and deny knowledge).
2. is really Good mates with senior management team so I think they would sweep it under carpet if anyone ever raised issues about the colleague : they would 100% back them just out of loyalty and for an easy life. Colleague is hyper sensitive and gets upset easily so most people just put up it all.
3. acts like everyone of their level is their subordinate. No one wants to say anything but quietly grumble (due to point 2). I don't get involved when others moan but I feel lately colleagues behaviour is getting too much. I prob see it more than others though. An example is when people are doing work colleague tells them how to do it (they know) or if we have a group discussion on problems we're managing and how we plan to deal with it, she'll agree but then will act like she's authorising Our plan of action rather than agreeing it. It's crazy.
4. will quite happily crap on team mates to feather own nest.

I'm frustrated tonight and just fed up of it. No possibility of changing jobs. There's a job coming up that I'm only one properly trained/skilled for but they want it. I'm resigned to fact that company is rife with nepotism and if colleague wants role then they'll get it regardless of skills but I'm honestly gutted. The working conditions would help me manage health conditions and I enjoy the work I do and have just been nationally recognised for it (it'd be outing to explain what it is but I did a piece of work that was picked up and congratulated on by the lead person in country which is huge, wasn't an award just some very important and positive feedback from someone who is renowned for not giving positive feedback). I was really
Chuffed with it.

Essentially though this colleague is a person who always gets what they want. Im going to go for role if I can - it's essentially my role anyway at moment but will come under different budget soon so poss that would give colleague an opportunity to get themselves put in role (I don't even think it will be advertised tbh) it'll just come down to a structural change and them sliding into it and me getting sent to another part of company as my role effectively 'ends'. It'll likely be a hindrance to my family life and health management and the uncertainty is worrying.

When it comes to your 1st point if it's information that she's got by being friends with the boss that hasn't gone out to staff then it's absolutely correct that she doesn't tell anyone else.

I think you are right that she will get the role but she will fail and the cracks will start to show. Her senior manager friend won't want to be associated with her bad reputation and obvious lies. If she does get it, make sure you are completely detached from the work so that she cannot implicate you in any way.

Best of luck with the interview. It will be obvious who the better candidate is 🤞

Sorry I'm just tired and head not working properly. I'm not meaning to drip feed so hope it doesn't come across like that - I wrote post and then it was too long so shortened ir and it's I've missed out detail.

Examples are like a manager will tell her about something that will affect one of other team leaders that she shouldn't know. Rather than just keep it to herself as she's been told in confidence she'll tell some of team (inc one everyone knows is a mega gossip) so they know before their own manager. If she's happy to breach the confidence then why not tell person it affects when she makes out to be a friend and have a 'we're all in same boat attitude' so people tell her stuff.

It's like she enjoys letting people know she's trusted as it elevates her status and also it's like a control issue like she has one over the person it's about.

I've a feeling it won't even go to interview 😢

Ah I see that's a whole different kettle of fish. She sounds like a nightmare sorry.
Let's hope that meritocracy rather than nepotism wins out

You mention ‘managing her’ — do you mean you’re her manager? I’m assuming you just used it as a figure of speech, because otherwise you would have the authority to deal with her behaviour, but if not, surely you just deal with her face to face, the way you would with any irritant eg ‘Yes, Sandra, no one needs instruction on how to input X — we’ve all been doing it for the last decade’, or ‘Sandra, are you a bit confused and think I’m asking you to approve this plan of action we’ve all discussed?’ And go for the job, obviously.