Would you mind if I vent about work for a second?

[ead79]

I'm just so mad right now. Here's the deal:

I have a coworker, we'll call her Darla, who NEVER goes above and beyond. She works her exact 8 hours and then leaves on the dot of 4:30, no matter what. Even if people really need her to stay to finish something very important, she won't stay more than 15 minutes late. She has a very bad work ethic. She constantly complains about every job she is given, and she absolutely can't handle any even slightly complicated tasks. She is one position above me, but she doesn't do half the work I do, and the work she does isn't even on the same level. Lately I have been having to proof her work, because she's not a great writer. If she has a full day's work to do, she says she is "slammed" and tells people that she just can't do their assigned job today. She is never assigned a complete task--I or someone else have to help her with everything. Good grief! I just can't take it any more. Now for some reason (I later found out why, but it's a long story), she got promoted to a position higher than mine. At first I was pretty sour grapes about it, but I adjusted my attitude and have been steadily plugging away at doing an excellent job.

I'm so sick and tired of all her complaining, and to make matters worse, today she said how she is all stressed and the other girl who works in our office is all stressed, but I'm not. In other words, she thinks she works so much harder than me.

My boss is aware of the situation, but since Darla doesn't report to her, there's not much she can do. I am considering making HR aware of her behavior/attitude because I'm tired of picking up her slack.

Thanks for letting me vent--I REALLY needed it.

 

[honeywolf7]

I'm sorry.
Hugs
Becki

 

[DoeWDW]

{{ Hugs }} to you!! I can "hear" your frustration and sadness in your post. I hope things work out for you!!!

I can't make it better, but I'm sending good thoughts and pixie dust your way!

 

[debster812]

Elisabeth??? Are you working in my office under an assumed name?

You have just described my past week to a T. I am so sorry, and do feel your pain.

We can commisserate together!

 

[swanmom]

Having been a 'boss' who hired and promoted people for many years, I'd like to encourage you to continue what you're doing. You'd be surprised that the 'higher ups' usually have a better idea than you think of who's a resource and who's a 'drain' on resources. If you keep working like you are, your time will come.

 

[olena]

Yuck! I feel your pain, Elisabeth!

I do want to encourage you on your attitude through all this. Most folks wouldn't have the patience.

 

[ohanafamily]

Hi Elisabeth,

I understand your pain. Contacting HR can be a strong shot in rump, depending on how your company is set up (even though they can't admit it) I know of people in several companies who have gotten raises etc from doing underhanded things. All really depends on how big your company is. If you torked off a supervisor, and you know you will never be promoted beyond your current station, then you know what you need to do. If this other person did something immoral for the promotion, I would think about the consequences of reporting it to HR.

JMHO

 

[Jenn]

I have a Darla in my office too and she drives me crazy!! Does so little work it's frightening. Tells everyone how stressed she is every day, forwards her phone because she's too stressed to answer, takes a 2 hour lunch because she has it so tough.

But - her last day is Friday and then I'm dancing down the halls!!!!

(she chose to leave and thinks the new place will be so much better - it ain't the place, honey, it's you!)

 

[FreshTressa]

YUCK! What a rotten thing to have to put up with. Let's hope it doesn't last too long and someone above her catches on to what she is doing.

 

[Mishetta]

In all the years & companies I have worked for, let me tell you, there is a "Darla" in every company. You will never be free of "Darla's" but do the best job you possibly can & more than likely, you will be recognized for it. Good luck sweetie. I know it doesn't seem fair but that's life. (Just keep focused on your wedding & don't let the "Darla's" of the world get you upset.)

 

[janette]

A lesson I learned early in my working career was that there are more like Darla than there are like you

Just do the job the best you can and try not to let her get to you. Eventually the tables turn on people like that! You'll feel better than.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Why do the Darla's get to keep their jobs? If I ever worked like that, you could be my boss would have me in her office.

 

[Grog]

I can relate. I work with TWO Darlas. It can make for a really long day sometimes.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sometimes a vent can help, Elisabeth. I do hope things get better, some good advice here. When having a tough day, just think of the Wedding Pavilion and December. {{Hugs}}, Elisabeth.

 

[nativetxn]

I can't offer advice but I <i>can</i> offer a cyber {{{HUG}}}

These things happen everywhere.

 

[fkj2]

Lately I have been having to proof her work, because she's not a great writer.

Perhaps it's time you allowed her work to stand on its own merit, or lack thereof.

If you continue to "fix" her work, I could understand why she got a promotion, to some degree. She probably presents good work (thanks to you) and is vocal enough to insist on a promotion.

She's controlling you. You're all torqued over her behavior and it's draining your emotional resources. Stop letting her and allow her to fix her own mistakes or let management see just how many she makes. They may rethink their decision.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Just wanted to say "Darla" is also out their in the volunteering world. Hellllo it is volunteering WORK! WHY DID YOU SIGN UP FOR THIS????!!!!!!

Ok vent over.