What to do about this colleague?

[ThatPeachSnake]

on a personal level, I really like my work colleague - we are friends and have lots in common.

she knew my boss before moving into the role she’s in now. Boss gave her a very senior title. Mine is much lower but I do by far more work than her. she’ll take most of the credit for the work I manage and execute. All she says is ‘I have no work to do’. Is constantly texting and online shopping. Texts with our boss on personal matters (clearly they go out together outside of work etc). I think boss can see her computer but doesn’t care she’s not doing any work.

she tells me she does nothing. 5 minutes of work a day sometimes.

colleagues partner drunkenly told my partner at a work event that my colleague is the breadwinner in their relationship and disclosed her salary (which was odd!), which is much much higher than mine.

so what can I do? It’s a really awkward situation. Every single day, conversation is dominated by colleague and my boss. They also have a lot in common. It’s like I can never interject so I feel like I come across as quiet/odd.

one thing I miss about working with men is things like this never happened! Work was work and friendship was left to be outside of work. (At least, in my experience)

Ask for a pay rise but leave the sexism out of it

Start noting your work and strengths.

Ash your boss why she’s been employed on a higher grade and salary and you are carrying the work load?

You're misdirecting your frustrating at her.

From what you've said, you don't feel you're being adequately compensated or recognised for your work. So tell them they need to give you a payrise/ promotion or both, or leave and move to an employer who will.

*frustration

It's so depressing where women attack other women in the workplace like this and try to undermine them, rather than focusing on their own careers.

To be honest I would start job hunting. It doesn’t sound like you are in a workplace where your skills and commitment are going to be rewarded.

My frustration comes from her taking credit for my work!

I'd stop trying to join in any situation where I am the third wheel. In your shoes, I'd just get my head down, do the work and see what happens. Who cares about her situation? If you are nicely paid, get on with your own life.

I will add - I am paid half of what she is and struggling financially, my rent went up and COL is off the scale.

I fully intend to look for other jobs but the market is slow right now so fully expect to be here for a bit longer.

Do you have annual performance reviews where you can raise salary expectations and role development issues?

Nothing! And no HR!

Keep your head down and just concentrate on your own work, even if she takes the credit. Keep job hunting and get through this by knowing you won't be there forever.

If the boss employed the colleague and gave her a "better title" than you, despite you both doing the same work (Or are you? Are you the same level of seniority, same experience, qualifications, training, CPD etc) and your colleague isn't doing their share of this equal weight, then you need to take it further.

Professionally.

(Though it doesn't actually sound as though you are in the same role with the same expectations. Is her title some part of the management structure and yours isn't?)

You shouldn't have any issues with her texting and shopping.

We have the same experience and same expectations but in slightly different areas within 1 department. We (are meant to) share a lot of work. Our job descriptions are near identical yet she is an exec and I a lot, lot lower in the hierarchy.

I was shocked when I saw her job description recently. It’s the pretty much the same as mine!

I wouldn’t if she finished the work that impacted me and didn’t take credit for all the times I’ve had to complete her work for her!

This is your mistake. Don't do a single thing that is her responsibility. She knows whats happening, your boss knows what's happening, and neither of them gaf. So time for you to stop giving a fuck too. Do your job to the letter of your JD. No extras and no rushing. Lazy shites almost never get fired if they keep their heads down, so emulate them. Work your hours and just be steady and slow. Play dumb if you are pulled up. Absolutely no confrontation or they will close rank. If someone asks why you haven't completed X you say "I'm just waiting on Cheryl to send me the reports first and hust working on Y in the meantime." Bonus if Y job is pretty meaningless in the scheme of things. Suddey become 150% less helpful.

It's unfortunate, but this is the reality of what works with toxic teams such as this. You need to stop giving a fuck to keep your sanity while you job hunt.

Stop completing her work for her then. Then she would stop shopping and texting and have more than 5 minutes of work to do.

Do your own work and not hers.

Ask for a raise.

Are you the only 3 people in the business or is there someone higher even if no HR. If there is if your boss says no take it higher.

Does your employer have an employee assistance program that you can shove her in the direction of?

It sounds like such a frustrating situation, especially when you’re putting in real work but not getting the recognition you deserve. Keeping a record of everything you do could really help when you speak to your manager about responsibilities and pay. Sometimes, expressing yourself clearly—almost like using letras diferentes to make your message stand out—can make all the difference in helping others see what you contribute.