My boss does nothing about my lazy coworkers.

47 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 24,2024 at 8:40PM UTC

   I would suggest you stay in your lane.
   Everyone is fine with this person's behavior. You are not in a position to change that

   So instead of focusing on them and how their behavior might reflect back on you, make sure you do a stellar job, document all incidents where they have personally delayed or impacted your work. Email your boss with the facts only (try and keep your opinions out of it). Make sure your work is beyond reproach. Make sure you don't base your behavior on your emotions.

   In the meantime look for a new job to give yourself options. If you land a great offer jump at it.

   Please don't tarnish your professional track record due to your emotions about someone else's lack of engagement. You must focus on your performance.

2. Barb HansenMarch 24,2024 at 9:15PM UTC

   this comment is 100% spot on!

3. AnonymousMarch 24,2024 at 9:27PM UTC

   Absolutely. We'll said. Do YOUR job and go home.

4. AnonymousMarch 24,2024 at 9:43PM UTC

   My opinions aren’t based on emotions. We miss deadlines because teammate refuse to do their work. Unfortunately, I do rely on them to do my job, so doing my work and going home doesn’t work.

5. AnonymousMarch 24,2024 at 11:06PM UTC

   If your colleague has specific examples as you say that make you late, I'd say something then. Make sure you approach colleague first so you have added ammunition if needed.

   Their lack of respect for deadlines shouldn't hinder you.

   If management blows you off assuming colleague ignores you, then you are late with a new reason!!

6. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 5:12AM UTC

   You need to understand that the missed deadlines are not your fault. If documented correctly, it's clear where the delay is. If Management has not written this person up or called them out, then these deadlines are not critical and are not concerning. You need to see the bigger picture. Step back. Your deadlines can wait. No one is looking to you to make up the slack.

7. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 5:28AM UTC

   Your boss doesn't see any of these issues as critical.
   You are very invested in your version and your experience with this coworker. Leadership doesn't not share your opinions. So before your are viewed as a problem leave it alone. This coworker likes her space and works in a completely different way than you. So while you are paying attention to when they work, when they are away from their computer and whether they are having computer issues, I would suggest you pay closer attention to your own productivity and less about your coworker's work/life balance. It's not appropriate and only frustrates you. No one is holding you accountable for your coworker's missed deliverables. That is just you investing too much energy in worrying about someone else.

   I would consider this is not the place for you. You may be happier somewhere else that has everyone working exactly the same way.

8. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 10:11AM UTC

   I was one email away from being fired because I was focused on what everyone else was doing and my work was suffering. When I stopped worrying and took accountability for my actions and how I could only be responsible for myself, my career took off.

   I couldn't care less that xxx takes a 3 hour lunch or spends hours on their phone. I don't have to answer for them. Trust me, the big bosses see more than you think. Your boss is ultimately responsible for your department so the blame won't fall on you. She may try to blame you but her department ultimately falls on her.

   Take a deep breath and just do what you are responsible for. Do your best at everything and shine. Good luck!

9. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 10:33AM UTC

   I love this! My day is too busy to care, just as you mentioned. Everything will take care of itself in the end--

10. Mary PoolMarch 25,2024 at 11:28AM UTC

    I absolutely agree. Stay in your own lane, worry about you and stop worrying about others. If deadlines are not met, then that is not on you, it is on your manager.

11. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 11:40AM UTC

    Stay in your lane and document your achievements and reasons why not. I stopped caring what others do long ago- made me much happier in the end.

    If Jane doesn't have her part so you can do yours, document and move on. You said you have no power so this is sufficient.

12. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 11:50AM UTC

    It is a good idea to document. And keep record. I agree with that.

13. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 11:47AM UTC

    Well you don't know what xxx is doing in a 3 hour lunchbreak she may well be doing work that contributes to a project. She could have a health appointment.

14. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 11:57AM UTC

    Focussing on your work is a great idea.

15. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 11:29AM UTC

    Are there alternative ways of your viewpoint?
    How do you know that they are lazy if you, are working remotely? Do you have proof? It is a changing environment. There's a lack of face to face contact. There are some challenges to remote work.
    If you have a line manager some of that responsibility is shared.
    You're team might need trust, that you will be there for them, even in a remote situation.

16. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 11:39AM UTC

    Labeling others as lazy is not fair to them nor you. It certainly will increase the interpersonal conflict rather than reduce it. Are you able to work as a team?

17. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 11:58AM UTC

    I am also in a remote mode.

18. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 12:00PM UTC

    I had to learn myself they were looking for trust.

19. Mary PoolMarch 25,2024 at 11:39AM UTC

    I would document every time you spoke to your boss, her response and then email her with the documentation. Then Stay In Your Own Lane. Make assignments like everyone is living up to their full potential. As schedules slide, notify your boss (in writing) and explain what you believe the issues are. Then Let It Go! Leads make assignments, they coordinate, they do not manage. As schedules slide and assignments are ignored, she will take the heat. You are trying to do too much for no reason other than not obeying work protocols. Noticing other people’s performance and constantly commenting on it does not make you a good employee; it makes you pain. You have absolutely no idea regarding the conversations between your manager and these employees. You have no idea what accommodations they have been given. The fact that you are willing to quit over other people’s issues is an actual red flag to me. Stop snooping and start performing!

20. Wanda ShawMarch 26,2024 at 2:03PM UTC

    Correct!

21. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 1:44PM UTC

    Just make sure you're keeping good records about when you've flagged productivity issues and what the response you got was. If you're the team lead and not the manager, it sounds like if anyone is going to have to answer to how well (or not) these people are doing, it's your boss. Your boss should be the one who's concerned for how this looks.

22. Wanda ShawMarch 26,2024 at 2:01PM UTC

    True.

23. AnonymousMarch 25,2024 at 4:15PM UTC

    Working 100% remote how can you exactly know what others are doing? Focus on your participation and waving the flag of what you do to leadership even to the skip level above your direct manager. Let them also know that you want more responsibility and more challenges to move up. Then you can adjust work rules for those who report to you If not just put your head down, stay in your lane and get your work done and pull the plug at end of day. Find other things to obsess about other than this because it will affect you more than them. Or find a company where hard work is appreciated and everyone pulls their weight. These days consider yourself blessed that you have 100% remote (if that is your preference) and do other things that make you happy so that you can progress your own expertise and career.

24. Cindy GloverMarch 25,2024 at 4:24PM UTC

    I would stay in your lane

25. Tami L CannizzaroMarch 25,2024 at 7:05PM UTC

    In terms of potential missed deadlines, I feel you deeply because I'm the type that wants to get the job done and make sure deadlines are met. Re: how/when the work is done, I don't care as long as deadlines are met.

    Apparently in your case deadlines may be arbitrary.

    In that case, I agree with others - there are times we need to step back and survey the landscape. Since you are not the boss/supervisor, and that person is satisfied with the way the work is being done, then let it go. The only thing I would do is keep your supervisor aware of progress, especially approaching deadlines and whether or not the team will make those deadlines. Continue to get approval on the progress being made. And document all of this, just in case it comes back to you as the team lead.

26. Mary PoolMarch 26,2024 at 11:32AM UTC

    One thing I thought about later is that the poster is taking the time and energy to stalk these people on social media. Noting what they post and when they post. Yes, stalking, because they are looking for "proof" of misconduct, not showing an interest in their lives. As an employer, I would seriously reconsider my relationship with you. I know you think you are being a "good" employee, but you are not you are creating legal and ethical issues for your employer. As almost everyone has said, "Stay in Your Own Lane!" Also, you have a 100% remote job. Do you know how rare and precious that is these days for people who prefer to work remotely? Treasure what you have, protect it with your performance and attitude, and let management worry about management issues. When you send emails to your boss, make them impersonal. No, “Well, this isn’t done because Pam took four hours off work on Friday,” but rather, “There appears to be scheduling issues. Perhaps we should look at our schedule balance.”

27. KellyMarch 26,2024 at 2:18PM UTC

    Hey, just curious, where did she say she mention looking them up on social media?

28. Mary PoolMarch 30,2024 at 3:12PM UTC

    In the original post she mention them posting on Facebook during work hours when their excuse was the computers were down. That part has been removed.

29. AnonymousMarch 26,2024 at 12:44PM UTC

    This is a culture mismatch. Your boss seems not to care, and you want to make them care about this, not a good idea. I would say take more of your boss' laid-back approach unless people start holding you responsible for the relaxed attitude of others.

30. AnonymousMarch 26,2024 at 12:57PM UTC

    I just want to point out that yellow on teams doesn’t necessarily mean you’re away and not working. Ive noticed if I can have outlook and teams open, but if I’m focused on something else, it will turn yellow. Meanwhile I’m at my desk, working in an excel spreadsheet.

31. AnonymousMarch 26,2024 at 1:23PM UTC

    Your colleague is just fine and your boss does not need to intervene.
    You are too focused on others and are creating issues where there aren't any. Document the short comings on process and any road blocks that delay your work. Other than that, honestly everything else is fine. Just relax and escalate real problems getting what you need. Trust me your boss will address any real issues.

32. AnonymousMarch 26,2024 at 1:24PM UTC

    first of all, as a team lead you should know exacly how much time it takes to do something , i don't mean how fast YOU do it but how fast the majority of people do it. when i worked remote my bosses knew exactly how many phone calls i made , received , how LONG those calls were, they know every note and document i made. every e mail i sent and responded to. my team lead didnt need anyone to tell her. she knew. she didn't need permission from anyone to let me know i wasnt producing enough. and to let me know EXACTLY what was expected of me. it's easy to see how many e mails the average employee responds to. i am not a fast worker , i am not slow. i am average. if they are answrring e mails in 4 hours and she is taking 24 hours, then maye a 10 hour deadline would be fair. its not that hard to be a smart boss and hold people accountable. these people should be on a PIP. its not fair for the rest of the team to pick up the slack.

33. Wanda ShawMarch 26,2024 at 1:59PM UTC

    You could try to escalate this beyond your immediate supervisor by going to upper management with your concerns.
    Be sure to document everything that you're noticing. However, be prepared for some pushback. I'm kind of thinking that your immediate supervisor is getting her directives and operational style from those she answers to.

34. AnonymousMarch 26,2024 at 2:24PM UTC

    You could just chill out. Most people have to work or else become homeless. Maybe your coworkers understand that we’re all trapped in an unfair system of wage slavery and do as much as possible to avoid exploitation (i.e. doing the bare minimum for their companies and the maximum for their well-being)

    Unless your job is saving people’s lives, who gives a crap? You should take it easy, too. Enjoy your life.

35. AnonymousMarch 27,2024 at 1:34PM UTC

    You're the reason more and more employers are sending their jobs overseas, using AI, robotics and freelancers.

    Your attitude is poison to employers.

    Your sense of entitlement is why you're bitter.

    Since all work is voluntary, please explain "wage slavery." To be a "clave implies doing work against your will, right?

36. KellyMarch 26,2024 at 6:56PM UTC

    Forget the ‘stay in your lane’ comments.If you think generally this might just be accepted at this company, then it simply may just be time to find another lane to swim in.
    There’s nothing wrong with you being normally concerned with laziness in your team.But, you have to know that what you are fighting for is what your company would want you to fight for. And, not that you have, but don’t go snooping around on their socials. If it’s a company that’s filled with lazy people it’s just not for you. And that is totally OK. I have been laid off twice in 25 years. And the only reason was because the entire team was so lazy - so the entire team got laid off. The C-Suite couldn’t see the baby for the bathwater.Yes, of course they should know better but they don’t.

37. AnonymousMarch 26,2024 at 8:52PM UTC

    As the lead were you provided with expectations or goals when you took on this position? Do you have meetings on a weekly bases with your team to discuss the status and timeline so all are working together as one team with shared responsibilities? Have you been reprimanded as Lead due to goals not being meet by your team? If not then it does not appear your supervisor is concerned. You could request your supervisor attend a meeting with you and the team to discuss the process and the necessity of meeting the goals. Not very time consuming but also effective is to have team members create a daily log that can be discussed at your weekly meeting so you your team can assist each other to work to resolve issues. I would be the first to advise while you may believe a task is 5 minutes I find it is 50 minutes. As the Lead what does your job description state? Such as directly oversees the team. Review employee work providing feedback and ways to improve. Ultimately you could request to be removed from Lead.

38. AnonymousMarch 26,2024 at 11:41PM UTC

    I am literally going through this exact same thing, except i'm not considered a team lead and I'm pretty much managing my manager. I've even talked to their boss, and they are okay with the lack of work ethic and holding other teammates accountable. TBH my issue is just the lack of team communication, and my manager doesn't seem to care unless it affects them. I've pretty much done what a lot of people are saying and not caring about what the others are doing. I do my work and keep my head down. Unless you can handle their lack of work ethic and accountability, may be time to shake off your resume.

39. AnonymousMarch 27,2024 at 12:11PM UTC

    I relate to this! I tried to tell a higher-up about how poorly a coworker was performing and he also made several excuses to justify keeping the coworker and removing an extremely experienced, hard-working and efficient person from our schedule. Soon after, I was written up for something that the bad coworker was also guilty of, and I reiterated my original complaints. It did not matter. I quit a couple weeks later. Sometimes it's not worth the anguish.

40. AnonymousMarch 27,2024 at 12:59PM UTC

    I can relate to your post so much. I had a manager who would come in late, and I mean LATE as in an hour or more for work. He was hourly, just as I was, and often left clients waiting for him. It go to the point that clients would complain and sometimes leave because they had no time to waste it on waiting for someone who refused to get in the building at his scheduled 8am time. I brought the issues up with the higher-ups many times. Nothing was done and excuses abound. One time, ONE, I was late by 5 minutes. I got a call from our corporate office and "yelled at" over the phone that my start time was 8am and it was my responsibility to get in the door and I could not make it up at lunchtime either and would have to take that 5 minutes out of my pay. (My manager however constantly made up his hour late time without issue or reprimand.)

    Yeah, I took a few more years of abuse and favoritism before I finally got the courage to leave. It leaves a mark on you and emotionally hurts. It's definitely not worth the anguish of staying in a toxic place.

41. Afo Ogbeyalu KaluMarch 27,2024 at 12:26PM UTC

    I feel your frustration, but what you are perceiving as "laziness" may be something else altogether. Your boss may have knowledge about the situations with your teammates which you are not privy to . . .

    That being stated, I advise that for your own peace of mind, and for "cover", get into the habit of documenting understood deadlines and responsibilities, in an email copied to your teammates, and to your boss. Follow up those emails with status updates, noting what you managed to complete, and inquiring where other members of the team stand, with respect to the project at hand. This way, you remain the consummate professional, are transparent and accountable for your contributions, and make it easier for your boss, and other relevant parties, to measure your productivity.

42. AnonymousMarch 27,2024 at 1:31PM UTC

    Reading through the comments, it seems most people have no clue as to the many possible legal repercussions that can stem from trying to discipline an employee or even hold them accountable.

    Where has everyone been?

    Have you not seen where layoffs take place, and then the jobs are reposted a short time later?

    NEWSFLASH: Often, a "layoff" is a company cleaning house. Layoffs have much fewer possible legal exposures than dealing with employees 1-on-1.

    My advice... stop caring about these two lazy co-workers. If your boss is fine with keeping them around then why are you getting all worked up?

    You said, "my boss is content with the things going," so leave it at that.

43. AnonymousMarch 27,2024 at 3:11PM UTC

    I think that is why she's concerned "it makes the team look bad OVERALL".

    Even u mentioned layoffs. She doesn't want to b swept out with the trash!

44. Jen FrischenMarch 27,2024 at 2:18PM UTC

    This issue has always been a problem with a "team" or "group" project. There is always someone who puts in a LOT of effort while others in the group just ride the wave.

    Unfortunately if your boss is okay with their lazy behavior, there is not much you can do about it other than do your job or find another job.

    It is very frustrating when you are putting in the work and another member of the "team" doesn't seem to care quite as much. Maybe a more defined division of labor is in order?

    It would seem to me that if the same people are constantly having trouble with their computers then IT needs to be involved to see what is causing the problem. My bet is the only problem with the computers is they are not being used.

    We have become a society where remote work is the norm. Maybe having to be onsite more frequently is the answer? Maybe having a timely check in a few times a day? Maybe some daily deadlines?

    I don't know. I really don't like being micromanaged, but I understand that business is business and if I am expected to do something and submit in a timely manner, I will do it.

    I don't know your life circumstances, but maybe you are the one on the team who has time or doesn't have family obligations or whatever. Maybe you are the one who has a very strong work ethic and you put that above social time. Unfortunately, as much as we would like for people to behave in the same way that we behave- we cannot control them. Do your part and I am sure the powers that be will recognize your productivity.

45. AnonymousMarch 27,2024 at 2:28PM UTC

    Maybe there is a reason that she is so dismissive of your concerns. Maybe HR is aware and there are extra accommodations being made for some reason. If it does not seem to be a big deal to the actual boss then I would leave it alone. You are overstepping.

46. Jess WhittekerMarch 27,2024 at 5:28PM UTC

    As the lead and teammates, you may not have access to personal information such as intermittent leaves or appointment details that the supervisor is aware of.

47. AnonymousMarch 27,2024 at 6:05PM UTC

    mine either I don’t get it