How do I deal with a power hungry teammate?

10 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 17,2024 at 2:57PM UTC

   I feel that it will come down to what HR is reaching out to you about. If it about "B" doing a poor job then you may need to supply documentation of your interactions and other materials for a PIP (performance improvement plan). If HR starts to put you on a PIP, try to understand the requirements to fulfill the PIP. While making sure you are working towards the PIP reqirements, begin updating your contacts and info for job hunting. Good luck.

2. AnonymousMay 17,2024 at 2:58PM UTC

   Take any documentation you have of friction and put it one envelope. Take any documentation of affirmation or praise or high performance and put it in a different envelope. I'd add an envelope with a current resume if you have it and any continuing Ed details. Put them all in your purse/bag/folder and then you are prepared for whatever the conversation and will feel less out of control or blindsided.

3. maria roseMay 18,2024 at 1:48PM UTC

   Instead of making this a he says she says situation that has now become an HR problem, You need to make sure that you ( don’t concern yourself with someone else’s work) are doing what your specific job requirements are. If in doubt, have HR highlight your role specifically at the HR meeting which hopefully is not a disciplinary PIP meeting. If it turns out that it is a PIP meeting, then you need to move on and decide whether staying in present job and working with this individual is going to work for you in the long term or if finding another job in another company is the better option. But don’t quit immediately if you have no financial support or means to lean on while you search for a new situation.

   Remember that there’s plenty of people around who will be more like this person than people who work together. You need to work with them without losing your cool and do your job well in a professional manner. Don’t be an AOC and be defensive about minor issues because you get triggered by remarks or actions that have nothing to do with doing your job properly. —Good luck

4. AnonymousMay 18,2024 at 8:01PM UTC

   I think we already know what happened. A company that puts internal politics over a better candidate is a company that will also let YOU go in favor of said candidate.

5. AnonymousMay 20,2024 at 1:39PM UTC

   I think B may have been hired to replace u. It's interesting they have an agenda you are unaware of that keep generating these scheduling conflicts and i even said urself there's not a workload to sustain this additional hire. . .

6. AnonymousMay 20,2024 at 1:57PM UTC

   I have had this happen to me. In my experience HR was reaching out to see what the issues are and to see if they could alleviate conflict. I would be honest but don’t complain. Make it about you and not her. Ask for clear job descriptions, division of work. Ask for specifics on any training you need to provide to this coworker, but it in writing with target dates for completion. Document everything and blind copy your personal email. But honestly I would brush up your resume and start looking. If they are playing these games and showing preference to someone that is not a team player then it’s probably not the right environment for you. You deserve better.

7. AnonymousMay 20,2024 at 2:02PM UTC

   Another thing to keep in mind is you probably don’t know the entire story here. It’s possible that they moved this person to get documentation to fire her. I had a situation where I unexpectedly got a direct report because she had caused so much chaos in other places that they had to move her. HR may just be looking for more documentation so stay calm. Good luck.

8. AnonymousMay 20,2024 at 2:16PM UTC

   Sounds like B knows something you don’t about the development of her position. Like she’s getting a team…? I would hold off until things shake out.

9. AnonymousMay 20,2024 at 2:19PM UTC

   Sorry you’re going through this. Honestly, it sounds like you’re on your way out. The new person has probably developed allies with their 1:1s and has networked and pushed to get your job. I’ve seen it happen time and time again.

   HR could be meeting with you to start the documentation process to let you go or they already have enough.

   Either way brush up your resume … this is not a healthy environment

10. Tami L CannizzaroMay 20,2024 at 7:58PM UTC

    Ugh.
    My thought, based on experience I've seen play out at companies: Someone either told B or gave her the impression she would be given a "bigger" role that the job title conveys. She jumped in to assume the role, starting with 1:1's on the pretense of learning the job. Now she's been able to share whatever narrative she wants to internal people about her position with the company. She may have even said "If you have questions, come to me". We don't know if she was promised anything when hired yet if she's bringing results for her work, then her assertiveness has her looking pretty good right now.
    I agree with others re: HR: refrain from speaking of a conflict between the two of you. Only speak about the good work you are doing. If asked about her work, you can only speculate, right? As you are not her boss and don't review her performance.