Struggling with colleague

Re: Struggling with colleague

listhestar — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 17:49:54 GMT

Thanks everyone for your advice.Ive spoken to boss but hes happy with me dealing with it.think i will try the 'havent you any cases of your own.Maybe its flattery, who knows, but at least i feel better equiped to handle it now! lisa

Re: Struggling with colleague

Emily Nightingale — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:44:21 GMT

Mediocrity is the only attacker of excellence.. someone once said... I think he admires you, feels weakened by your awesome vetty-ness (or fancies you ), and probably just wants to be more like you and the only way he can do that is behave as you have described .. take it as a compliment.

Re: Struggling with colleague

astraldream — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 10:19:23 GMT

Could it be that they are actually trying to impress you rather than belittle you? It might be that he looks up to you?

Re: Struggling with colleague

Kate Richardson — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 10:02:03 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]I'd just answer "No, I haven't. Haven't you got any cases of your own to attend to?"[/quote]

Great answer!

For what its worth, I also believe that people like this are the ones with the confidence issues. However I don't agree that you should just ignore it. People like will continue to behave this way as long as they are allowed to. So having been in a similar situation, I personally would say something to them (and Evelyn's retort would be a perfect start!) especially if you don't think your bosses will deal with it effectively (which they should, but also have been in similar situation) and ended up having to deal with it myself. These things tend to fester

Re: Struggling with colleague

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:39:30 GMT

[quote user="listhestar"]At every opportunity I am being asked if I have read this or that paper.[/quote]

Some people on this forum are like that!

I'd just answer "No, I haven't. Haven't you got any cases of your own to attend to?"

Re: Struggling with colleague

listhestar — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:56:39 GMT

oh that has made me laugh, thank you

Re: Struggling with colleague

listhestar — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:55:46 GMT

Sorry Bob

Only just saw your reply. I may try the Telegraph angle :) (and knowing him he would berate me for that choice as well). My boss is great but just rathe sweep things under the carpet or assume we are women and being too sensitive.

I do think some of it comes from point proving, when he first joined he couldnt get IV lines in or take bloods and my nurses would come and get me to save the animal keep being stabbed so maybe you have a point there.

Thick skin I think and just carry on rhino style until I relocate down south!

Re: Struggling with colleague

Mark Holmes — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:52:34 GMT

[quote user="listhestar"]

Thanks guys. I think you're right Hannah, if I have a word it will get worse, he likes to annoy/upset people. Michael- this person came to us as a new grad 2 years ago and I stayed behind some nights to back him up etc. However I won't be repeating that effort if this is the repayment for the next new grad :s

Thanks you've both made me feel better, my Dads attitude is give him enough rope.....

[/quote] By all means let them hang themselves but make sure you're the one to kick the chair away!

Re: Struggling with colleague

listhestar — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:46:43 GMT

Thanks you've both made me feel better, my Dads attitude is give him enough rope.....

Re: Struggling with colleague

Bob Russell — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:46:12 GMT

Just tell them you only read the Telegraph!

Start with humour and make light when they try to score points. If it is malicious he or she should get bored.

If you feel intimidated or bullied it does have to be reported to the boss but even this can be done in a 'gentle' way. A good boss will observe, identify the issue and have a quiet word without getting you involved directly.

If your case management is generally sound (about the best you will get!) this may demonstrate a lack of confidence on their part.

It is often difficult to work in a small team! Good luck.

Re: Struggling with colleague

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:41:49 GMT

Don't let them get you down This sort of behaviour means they're psychiatric cases-not you Unlike Micheal I wouldn't speak to them-because if they know they're getting to you they'll just get 10 x worse When I was in this situation I just said to myself"I won't bother visiting you when you're in (insert name of local loony bin ) " Easier said than done but just try to ignore the sh*ts

Wynne

Re: Struggling with colleague

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:33:20 GMT

Where does this person sit in the hierarchy? If they are just another employed vet how about maybe having a word with them in the first place? Sometimes it's easy to annoy people and for them to not realise they are doing it.

If it continues then you will have to speak to one of your bosses.

The most fun option (depending on how gutsy you feel) is to turn it around and leave them with egg on their face, but I wouldn't recommend that. Give them a taste of their own medicine....