Should I stay or should I go?

[ancee]

Hi guys, big sigh..
Problems at work - what would you do?
Have helped out a staff member (who also happens to be my bosses pal) since I worked there.
She's often making mistakes which I always seem to be able to solve. - Crises averted often. Boss oblivious. Today she made a huge mistake (�527 worth of mistake) then slunk off..
Came back and said "Thought I should warn you, I've told them" (the bosses)
I (and the other two girls who don't do her job) looked at her and I said "Why are you telling me? I haven't made the mistake?"
"Well, he's going to go off on one, so I thought I'd better warn you!"
"But what has it got to do with me? You made the mistake, it's you he should be having a word with, it's not even my job!"
She then told me to f*** off - twice and turned away!
Of course I told her not to swear at me - she was red in the face and yelling!
So I yelled back and asked her why she'd slunk off, telling tales to try and get me into trouble when, clearly this had nothing to do with me.
She's very sly, `her' problems are suddenly `our' problems, and when we are getting "A talking to" I'm always included - I have nothing to do with it! It's never directed at her.
I don't want to go in tomorrow.
Our boss was too busy today to `have a word' but she's stayed behind tonight - obviously to try and pin the blame on me!
My OH has told me to quit!
So deflated

[Dorothy rouse]

Oh gosh, rounds awful.

Don't quit tho, why should you, she is obviously in a right state and doesn't know what to do,she may not be trying to put the blame on you, she might be trying to sort it out.if you and these other two have been helping her, then maybe you put something in writing and arrange a proper meeting with the boss. Don't do anything hasty, chat with these other two as soon as you can, but see how things are tomorrow, only 2 more days this week, assuming Mon - Fri. She may not even show tomorrow, sometimes these things sort themselves out.
Hoping I've understood, glass of wine for you!

DottyR

[Glutton4...]

You can't quit ffs!!!! You're innocent! Go to work as usual, and if anyone decides to 'have a word' then you'll have to 'have a word' back. Tell them that you're sick of continually putting right her mistakes, and that you're not going to take the blame. Make sure they know how often (and how much) you've put right, and if she denies it, you have every right to call her a liar to her face.

No, I'm not saying be nasty about it, just honest. If the Boss sides with the friend, then the Boss is a pillock.

[rustylady]

Ditto what G4 said, with knobs on.

[Bren In Pots]

You've done nothing wrong and it looks like you have the other two as witnesses to her behaviour.

[ancee]

I'm waiting for him to call me (he's at the gym) problem is, he sides with her as she is his wife's best mate! I've had this before, Before Christmas it was intolerable. She's been given a job she quite clearly can't do - they see this, but keep giving in to her, letting her off, making allowances. It has to be seen to be believed. My job is entangled with hers which is why she's trying to shift the blame. But this time it's all on her, which is why she's sneaked off trying to shove it on me (again).
I am really good at my job (I'm not being big headed) there is a lot that goes into it and I have to keep a lot of balls in the air. Since I've been doing it, production has improved and customers are grinning - we've had a terrible customer relations before (bosses not bothered "It's all about the money, if we lose a couple of customers it's ok, there's plenty more out there").
I don't know what else I can do to prove myself. I'm never ill, always on time, don't take time off, work overtime at the drop of a hat, and work my a*** off until it's time to go home, I have been in when I've been so ill, I didn't even have a voice at one stage!
The other two Bren, - have covered up her mistakes too!

[mothhawk]

Don't quit - it will be seen as a sign that yes, you were to blame. If challenged, put your side of the story and explain that you had no part in the mistake and do not expect to take responsibility for the inadequacy of others. Hopefully the other staff will back you up, but even if not, without conclusive proof of your involvement, your boss doesn't have a leg to stand on. If this woman was given the job, then it is her responsibility and her fault if she made a mess of it.

Go into work tomorrow as if nothing is wrong, because indeed, nothing IS wrong with your work.

Be nice, be sweet, do not lose your temper, there is nothing for you to lose your temper about, your own work is good for the company, remember that, Ancee.

All the best

[Creemteez]

Ancee, you MUST stand up for yourself! Why you think you should be the one to quit your job, I don't know. It's time to let your sneaky colleague sink or swim for herself. Her attitude towards you positively sucks after all you have done for her and if I were you, I would demand a meeting with the Boss AND your colleague to put your point. Be upfront and totally honest. Make sure the boss know's just how much you have covered for her. If you have documented evidence of her mistakes and the steps you have had to take to rectify them, use them. Make it clear that in future any mistakes she makes will have to be dealt with by someone else as YOU are too busy fulfilling YOUR job description to carry someone else.
I totally agree with G4. It may seem harsh, but the gloves have got to come off.
Be brave, luvvie. xx
(i'm all riled up on your behalf!)

[greenishfing]

Don't quit !!! Learn your lesson. Don't cover up for dimwits who can't do their job ever again. It's a big problem. Idiots who are promoted because they can't do their job is the norm...... or given great references to leave.

They end up as your boss and are still brainless!

[Dorothy rouse]

Seems like we're all saying the same thing you Ancee. But even if things calm down this time, you should stop covering /her/ helping her out, cos it will just keep happening. You need to just do your job, and so do your colleagues, if she can't cope with job, shouldn't be doing it.

DottyR

[dogsbody]

Don't give in to what is tantamount to bullying by your "colleague". As everyone else has said if you have the evidence use it - and also send it off-site in case the situation does become untenable in which case a claim of constructive dismissal may be open to you (not that I am legally qualified of course).

Of course this is all moot (sorry another legal term) if you are pee'd off to the extent where you are not enjoying your job, in which case I am sure there are plenty of good employers out there who would welcome a worker of your calibre.

Bottom line - don't do anything hasty.

Best wishes!

[Glutton4...]

... It's a big problem. Idiots who are ... given great references to leave...

Oh how true is that!! Embarrassingly so, unfortunately.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Bottom line - don't do anything hasty.

Sounds like a really difficult situation, and one which is untenable in the long run, but it's always easier to get a job when you're in a job, so even if you do want to get out, stick with it for the mo.

It's difficult to keep perspective when you are in the middle of the situation, but although the cock up that led to the loss of five hundred-odd quid is not good (especially if it's a smaller company), no one's died, and what's happened has happened. If one of my staff had done this, I would be cussing myself that I'd employed someone not up to the mark, not doling it out to the others who certainly are.

The hardest thing will be walking in tomorrow - spend this evening writing a clear list of what the problems have been, and have it ready for when you go in tomorrow.

[Nicos]

..as an aside...have you kept a list of situations when you have 'helped her out'???

[Veggielot]

Is there another boss you can go to? If you tell them about the money she is costing them with evidence of her mistakes if you have it. If they ask why you didn't go to your boss tell them that they are frriends you thought it best to tell someone independent.

Failing that don't quit, stop covering for her point it out each time they make a mistake asking what they want to do about it. In the meantime find another job then quit.