There’s nothing better than a secure office job. Now, we know what you’re thinking: what about the tedium of everyday corporations, the endless meetings, the flourescents, or the relatively useless middle-management? Okay, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but a safe office job usually provides everything you need to make ends meet and stay chipper!
But its biggest predator isn’t always shady management. Sometimes, your greatest enemy is a fellow coworker. It’s not unheard of for so-called office friends to swoop in and take over your tasks. Maybe they start paying closer attention to your performance—and your performance only. Then, the next thing you know, you’re in a meeting with the head honcho as someone tries to steal your job. It’s ugly business, but we have a few ways to sniff out the behavior.
They’ll Stick You Under the Microscope
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We’ve all had to work with the office Karen before, but when a coworker wants your job, they go beyond the basics. It’s not enough to time your breaks anymore; they’ll start taking credit for your ideas, they’ll do your work, and they’ll inexplicably start to micromanage. The worst part is that you’re then expected to keep a cool head!
Well, don’t you worry. As annoying as it is, the best thing you can do is keep a log of their infractions. Work on a paper trail; emails are your best friend, removing any hearsay or reneging on their part when you bring this to HR. Emails are also a great way to air your grievances, calling out their behavior, and trying to work on a resolution together. Even if nothing comes of it, at least you’ll have proof that you tried.
There’s also nothing wrong with face-to-face communication. Sit them down and express clear boundaries. Ask them why they poke around in your tasks and claim them as their own. You don’t need to raise your voice, but once the dust settles, you can email them with a summary of your conversation and keep it for your records.
Bring It to the Boss
When a coworker oversteps, there’s no reason to let them walk all over you. You can try to handle the situation on your own, but at the end of the day, your boss and the HR department have final say on the solution. Your managers should also be made aware of what’s happening anyway; the more evidence you drop on their desk, the more they have to work with.
HR departments are built to navigate these hurdles. Schedule a meeting with them and the employee in question. It’s just one more thing to add to your records, keeping a log of your mistreatment and the steps you personally took to solve things professionally.
Don’t be afraid to CC your boss on emails, either. Once you alert them of the problem, you can attach them to any correspondence to keep that coworker in line moving forward. Good management will not only have your back, but they’ll also make issues like these a priority. No boss wants bad blood in the office.
Sneaky Red Flags to Keep an Eye On
Some coworkers scheme for months before they make their move; it’s not always blatant undermining or sabotaging your career. Keep a close eye on how they communicate with you. Do they suddenly act like your best friend in the office? Do they kindly offer to lighten your load, and then crush those tasks out of the park? What seems nice up front might be a ploy to move in on your position!
Of course, you don’t want to be suspicious of everyone at work. There’s nothing wrong with getting help on a project or having someone take over—so long as you both get credit and understand each other’s boundaries. If, on the other hand, they use favors as an excuse to undermine you, you know it’s time to swing the hammer.
Employees may also cause unnecessary drama in the office, providing you with “insider” knowledge from meetings, or claiming that people are unimpressed with your work. It’s best to fluff off those rumors. If you’re truly worried about performance, get feedback straight from the horse’s mouth. Passive-aggressive behavior is just one more thing to keep track of, too; document everything they say so you have more to bring to your HR manager.
It’s never fun dealing with office politics, and it’s one of the worst aspects of the job. It doesn’t take much for a sneaky coworker to squirm into your ear and make you second-guess your abilities, but if someone’s causing problems, it’s best to remember that you’re adults. Don’t engage with their pity behavior; keep a paper trail, bring it to management, and set clear boundaries with them. The right boss will see right through them!
