LESSON
Understand antecedents
READING
GET READY
Alina read an online discussion forum for business problems. Have you ever had problems
with a coworker? What problems have you had?
Coworker is always late
Coworker doesn’t do his or her share of the work
Coworker complains all the time
Other problem:
READ
Listen and read the discussion forum posts. What is Marty Q’s problem?
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Post your work problems and get advice in our discussion forum!
Working World Wisdom
Marty Q.
Shirking Coworker
Posted:
5/17/13 6:00 P.M.
Posted:
5/17/13 6:25 P.M.
Pilarthree:
How can I deal with a coworker who doesn’t do her share of the work? At my job,
we work as part of a team. When this person doesn’t do her work, the rest of us
have to work that much harder. Sometimes we can’t finish our work on time, and it
makes our team look bad. The problem is as plain as day to all of us, but our
manager doesn’t seem to know about her shirking yet. What’s the right way to
handle this?
I had the same problem at my office. Difficult people are everywhere, like
ants at a picnic! I’d talk to your manager right away and report what’s
happening. You don’t want to continue working extra hard for this slacker.
Posted:
5/17/13 7:10 P.M.
Cableguy22:
I agree with Pilarthree. But I’d add one thing: When you talk to your boss,
be sure to explain the situation in an objective way. Stay calm and don’t
make personal attacks on your coworker. Be cool as a cucumber. Just
report the facts. Give examples of things that the person did or didn’t do.
Let your boss know the negative effect on your team and on the business.
Posted:
5/17/13 7:33 P.M.
CarolCatering:
I’m not sure going straight to the boss is a good idea. I supervise 12
employees, and I spend half my time listening to them complain about
each other. Nobody likes a whiner! I’ll bet your boss already knows about
the problem with your coworker. You’ll earn your boss’s respect by
handling the problem yourself.
Posted:
5/17/13 7:52 P.M.
Sonia L.:
Have you tried talking to your coworker? It's possible that she doesn’t
know she’s not doing enough. She may not realize the burden she’s
placing on the other team members. Also, there may be something
preventing your coworker from doing her work. Maybe she doesn’t know
how to do something and is afraid to ask.
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UNIT 5
