I’m sick of people, mainly women I’ve come across who do this.
About a year ago I started a new job. I was replacing a couple of people who retired, but one of them has stayed on as a consultant for the company. Then another woman joined after me. We job share the role sort of.
I’ve been nothing but a team player, helping her settle in, sharing resources, and covering for her when she goes on holiday, school holidays, she’s sick, or her DC are sick.The “consultant” also does this for her, but is not always available so it mostly falls to me.
Over the past month my colleague seems to have decided to cosy up to the semi retired/ consultant and put all her eggs in her basket. That’s because this person has more experience than me, and can give her better advice etc. They go for lunches and coffees and my colleague tells her their personal problems and the other gives her advice. That’s fair enough. However, with every week I get better at my job, and I’m getting great feedback from my manager. I don’t think the issue is me as much be always got feedback that I’m a great team player. I think my colleague feels a bit threatened by me, but there’s really no need. There’s no competition in our job.
I’m not jealous of their relationship, I just don’t understand why my colleague can’t be a bit more professional about it all. I feel like I’m at school where we had a group, then 2 splintered off and just wanted to be friends. I find it very childish in a professional setting.
The other week I heard my colleague talking to the other and they didn’t realise I came back, and I’m pretty sure she was bad mouthing me as they pulled away all embarrassed when I turned up. They are actually a pair of gossips.
It’s making me feel demotivated and a bit paranoid. I feel like telling my manager I want to move and be part of a bigger working team and let them get on with it. I don’t need petty year 7 friendship conflicts in my life.
The other thing is, I don’t understand why my colleague has not just been professional with me. I’m a team player and been really helpful to her. I’ve covered for her and will be asked to do it again and again as she’s always needing cover and the consultant isn’t always available. If she’s going to be like this then AIBU to say I’m busy and can’t do it.