SavvySugar

Ask Savvy: How Should I Critique My Co-Worker?

SavvySugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:00:38 -0800

Dear Savvy,

Today, my manager called me asking me to write up a report about a fellow co-worker. I had mentioned that she was having some difficulties adjusting to the workplace, that she was rude to us, and where she was getting better but that she still often isn't on task. I told her that I would, but I just sat down to write it and have no idea what to say, how to say it, etc. Any suggestions?

Savvy says: Your manager is essentially asking you to put your spoken criticism in writing. See my thoughts on this situation when you read more.

Your manager is taking your co-worker concerns seriously which means they need to be added to her employee file. It's not a test for you; it's simply your manager's job to make sure that all complaints are recorded appropriately, and it's more legitimate to have the report coming from the person that has witnessed reportable behavior.

You obviously had enough to say about the situation when you originally presented the complaints, so just expand on what you've already told the manager. You say that she's having difficulties adjusting to the workplace, so you should state that along with a deeper explanation of why you feel that way. Each judgment should be paired with a real-office observation to illustrate what's going on with your co-worker - this will keep your report sounding professional.

You don't need to go off on tangents about the co-worker, just write enough to get your point across. Also keep in mind that you don't have to include every little imperfection you've seen in the individual. It's better to focus on the big things (like the fact that she's often off-task) rather than her habit of taking an extra five minutes at lunch (or something equally minimal).

Have a question for me? Ask away by posting your questions in my Ask Savvy group and I may answer it on the site!

Ask Savvy: I Don't Want to Share My Office With a Co-Worker

SavvySugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:21 -0700

Dear Savvy,

A few months ago I was asked by one of the company's directors if I would be willing to share my office with my direct co-worker/teammate and I declined and said I did not feel comfortable with it. My company complied with my request, and I shared with another person.

The situation has come up again, but this time my boss will be asking. Our team is small: boss, me, teammate. My reasons for not wanting to share an office with my teammate are personal - she is horribly messy, she smells funny, and overall she is not overly friendly. I am not the only person in our company who has noticed all of these things. I tolerate her as a teammate, but that's about it, and I don't feel comfortable at all sharing my personal space with her.

How do I tell my boss that I am not comfortable with this without making it seem like I am not a team player? I don't feel I should have to work in conditions that I'm not comfortable with. Any advice?

Savvy says: Work is one of those places where personal space is inevitably compromised - like a college dorm, except you get to leave at the end of each day. See my tips for handling your dilemma when you read more.

Be aware of the way you criticize your co-worker when talking to your boss. Pointing out that she isn't "overly friendly" won't convince your boss that you and this person are a bad match - you don't have to be best friends. Instead of saying that she "smells funny," you can suggest that she has questionable personal hygiene, but this is a really sensitive issue, so you better be confident in your accusation.

You'll have the most success by asking your boss if you can work together to find another solution. Go into the meeting with your own ideas to show your boss you've thought this through; that's evidence of how important it is that you don't end up sharing an office with this person. Along with your alternate solutions, go into the meeting with handful of reasons why this work arrangement would negatively affect not only your work environment but your performance as well.

If there's simply no other way to pair you up with someone else or find you a desk somewhere else in the office, you might just have to deal with it for now. Try to make the best of this potential situation by making your own area as pleasant as possible - and by giving this co-worker a chance. Give her the benefit of the doubt, and if she fails to live up to good co-worker standards, revisit the issue with your boss after a reasonable chunk of time.

Have a question for me? Ask away by posting your questions in my Ask Savvy group.

Your Two Cents: Which Bad Office Behavior Is Worse?

SavvySugar — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 06:30:27 -0700

Your Two Cents: Which Bad Office Behavior Is Worse?

SavvySugar — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:30:15 -0700

How Would You Handle It: Co-Worker Gives TMI About Sex Life

SavvySugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:30:12 -0700

Help a fellow Sugar reader out! This working girl is sick of hearing about her co-worker's sex life. What advice do you have for her? Read her question below and then leave your words of wisdom in the comments.

I work in an office where there's a small group of women my age. We eat lunch together a couple times a week and chit chat mostly about work stuff, though as we spend more time together it's only natural that the personal stuff has started to surface more often. Most of the girls are in serious relationships and I'm just starting to get more involved with one guy, and there's one girl who's all over the dating scene and is constantly over-sharing the intimate details of her nights out. She gets really raunchy.

She's only been working here for a couple months and the other girls are all ears when she dishes about her sex life, but it makes me really uncomfortable. I don't want to exclude myself from the group lunches, but I'm also getting sick of losing my appetite every time that girl opens her mouth. What should I do?

Your Two Cents: Which Bad Office Behavior Is Worse?

SavvySugar — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 08:30:41 -0700

Hiring Managers Share the 20 Strangest Employee Complaints

SavvySugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:30:22 -0700

Complaining about your co-workers to your office's or department's hiring manager is only acceptable when the issue is actually intrusive and hinders your ability to be an effective employee. Some workers have interesting ideas of what managers care to spend their time deliberating, and CareerBuilder gave these office referees a chance to vent by asking them about the strangest employee complaints they'd received.

I'm convinced that some employees are just bored, and some are really meant to work by themselves at home. Check out the top 20 complaints below; which do you think are the strangest?

Employee is too suntanned.
Employee has big hair.
Employee eats all the good cookies.
Employee is so polite, it’s infuriating.
Employee suspected co-worker is a pimp.
Employee is trying to poison me.
Employee’s body is magnetic and keeps de-activating my magnetic access card.
Employee is personally responsible for a federally mandated tax increase.
Employee was annoyed the company didn’t provide a place for naps during break time.
Employee only wears slippers or socks at work.

See 10 more complaints when you read more.

Employee’s aura is wrong.
Employee smells like road ramps.
Employee breathes too loudly.
Employee wants to check a co-worker for ticks.
8:00 a.m. is too early to get up for work.
Employee wore pajamas to work.
Employee has bells on her shoes, and it’s not the holidays.
Co-worker reminded the employee too much of Bambi.
Employee spends too much time caring for stray cats around the building.
A male employee keeps using the ladies’ room because the men’s room is not as tidy.

Your Two Cents: Which Bad Office Behavior Is Worse?

SavvySugar — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:30:24 -0700

Your Two Cents: Is It Ever Appropriate to Hug a Co-Worker?

SavvySugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:30:25 -0700

Do You Know How Much Your Co-Workers Earn?

SavvySugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:30:48 -0700

Photo courtesy of NBC