Male colleague claiming my work??

[Gcn]

I'm not sure if I'm being over sensitive. I'm taking forward a project in work, which involved initial meeting with another department. For some reason male colleague got included in meeting arrangements and although I made it clear he wasn't required, he came along. Fine. We agreed some actions which I've been working on with my team.

He's just emailed my team, my boss and next in line about the project. He's presented it as work he's initiated and given his (i.e. MY) suggestions for how we should develop this. Fucking cheek!!!!! He's just included me in the email in the same way as my team members (so not even recognised I've been involved in the discussion to date - never mind that it was all my idea!!!)

What would you do?

Prevent Future Incidents

• Clarify Roles Early: Before meetings or projects, explicitly outline roles and responsibilities to avoid ambiguity.
• Document Progress: Keep records of decisions and contributions in shared documents or emails so there's a paper trail of your leadership and input.
• Take Control of Communications: Where possible, take the lead in updates to people, ensuring your contributions are visible.

My DH used to have this problem with a manager who would pretend he had written all the reports DH had written and present them to exec.

One day DH added the line “our customers will literally shit themselves with excitement” to a report and let evil manager present it to the big bosses as all his own work.

That seemed to solve it.

Who is he to you, a peer?

I think this is why it's important to discuss and lock down roles and responsibilities early as PP said.

Id respond only to male colleague, your boss, his boss and say "can we please be clear on what male colleague"s role is on this project. I don't want any confusion for the team as to who is taking the lead"

Thanks Chat GPT 😂

Right?! Just why

This would make my blood boil. Your reply was perfect. Next meeting, a clear no.

Its plagiarism, he should be pulled up about this asap....he's taking credit for your work and if you do nothing, you risk him doing this again and again to yourself and others..

He is a fool.

Good reply OP. What an arsehole he is. I work in a male dominated industry so sometimes you have to put the boot in.

This!

I think I would probably have written back something along the lines of:

‘Thank you for laying out my plans for this project (colleague’s name). However as it was made clear from the start, that your input wasn’t required, I can’t see why you’ve taken it upon yourself to do this, when you would have been better occupied with your own work.’

Then, for the benefit of your bosses, add in a little detail that he’s missed out, or further plans that you’ve got in mind. He really is a CF, and needs taking down.

You need to stamp really hard on this, OP, and send your reply to the same people that he wrote to.

Please don't write this.

APOLOGISED?!

I think you need a face to face with this guy and your line manager. You need to address it if it has happened more than once. If you don't it will continue to happen. Classic male attempting to move himself up the ladder tactic.

You’ve done WHAT NOW?!!

I hope you meant to be massively passive aggressive and he realises that!!

I would suggest emailing him, copying your manager only, stating that he has presented your work which was not agreed, and confirming roles in writing and / or asking for a meeting with your manager to discuss.

Glad you agree WITH MY PROPOSAL

Definitely email as suggested.

Oh OP, what did you apologise to him for?

Perhaps email him and your line manager,

Re your email below, I am not sure why you are presenting my work as your own?

This is how to do it. Don't apologise in future, don't brush it over. Be clear and professional in tone.

I'd go and see him and explain what I think is wrong with his email and tell him if he ever takes credit for my work again, then I will have no choice but to email him about tge matter abd copy in all the people who is told that my work was his own.
I'd basically rip him a new one.
Never, in all my career did I do this ... would always give credit for others' work.

fucking cheeky bugger! Id set him straight and email those managers to let them know whats happened! You wont be the first hes done it too and probably not the last. Whats that saying something about having the balls and self confidence of a mediocre middle aged man! 🥴🫠

God he's a thunderous wankbadger. Do what Claudia said. Get popcorn 🍿