Do you think I am wrong in this work related situation?

Question

I have only one other co-worker that i work with. Every morning it takes about 2 hours for us to do the prep work, then we start completing and processing the paperwork. i distribute the paperwork evenly. some paperwork takes longer to complete then others. its in a random order.

My coworker has been doing this job for 20 years. I finish before him. He says I lack teamwork skills because I do not offer to help him after my paperwork is done. His paperwork does get done before the end of the day, its just that the job is easier for me then it is for him. I told him that i distributed the work evenly and fairly and its not my fault it takes him longer. i refuse to take on more work. He says he wil go to the boss.

Answer 1

At first glance, seems to me like his job is sucking up to the boss.

He's a 20 year veteran in this line? That means his eyesight is deteriorating. That's why he take so long.

Most likely, he's trying to secure his job because veteran's are the one who'll be let go if there's financial crisis as veterans are paid more.

The part where he reads slowly and takes a lot of unnecessary steps, maybe after 20 years in the business, these are the steps he make to minimize mistakes?

He may have his style of working and you definitely have your ways of working. Since both of you are going to co-exist, might as well try and work it out. Give and take a bit. Compromise a bit. Who knows? Things might work out even better?

No point arguing with a veteran because when it comes down to it all, the boss will most likely to believe the veteran even if they're lying.

Answer 2

I would speak to your boss and let him know what is going on. Maybe the boss could separate the work and explain to each of, to be unbiased, that you are each responsible for your own work. Good luck!

Answer 3

The key to any good working environment is team work. Being a "team player" says so much to your Boss if it is the case that you refuse to take on more work, it sends a signal that you are not a team player.

The guy who has been at the position for 20 years sure has a great deal more seniority then you do and holds more weight.  Do what you want but if you were on my team I would raise a red flag.

Answer 4

Write a formal complaint against your co-worker for creating a hostile work environment for you by threatening to tell your boss your better then him just word it better then that also voice your concern that he can not do his work efficiently and this may create a burden on you that may affect your performance and give the man a little help so that it looks better just make sure you get credit for the work you do not him.

Answer 5

I see what you mean, and you're right - you should not feel obligated to help him.  At the same time - be a good person once and a while.  How would you feel if he always finished before you and rushed out the door.  Wouldn't you be grateful if he offered to stay and help you a few times?  Just something to think about/

Answer 6

If you both have a set amount of work to do it is not your job to do his work. He is simply jealous that you usually finish first. This is not a matter that should involve the boss. He should be more mature about the situation and do his own work. I think that you should just let him go to the boss if he needs to. If you have done nothing wrong there should be nothing to worry about. As long as the work is divied up fairly there are no real issues to discuss. Your boss should understand that all people have different work paces.

EDIT: Has he been or is a friend of yours?

I would help him occasionally or let him divy up the work next time and see how it goes.

Answer 7

It sounds like he's feeling a bit insecure; I assume he's older, and you're newer to the job.

Instead of refusing to take on more work, go ahead and take it on, then go to your mutual boss and ask for an increase in pay for outstanding performance.

Refusing will just make you look uncooperative. Go above and beyond -- and ask to be compensated for it.

Answer 8

not only does it sound like your being taken advantage of but he's trying to blackmail you into doing his work with threats.team work is one thing and it sounds like you are already doing it with splitting the load evenly .i would not worry about this guy and don't take on his work if he goes to the boss he's only making himself look lazy and stupid.but if he is stupid enough to go to the boss just explain the situation to the boss and tell the boss this guy has tried threatening you into doing his work

Answer 9

I wouldn't worry about it.  Let him go to your boss.  You said your boss doesn't like him and that this guy is the office whiner so I wouldn't worry about anything.  Maybe one day you should let him pass out the paper work to see what he thinks is fair, just to see how it compares.  

Answer 10

tell your boss what you just typed here.  maybe he/she needs to sit in one morning and watch you guys do the work.

your coworker may be jealous that you are doing it faster than him, even though it is distributed evenly. maybe offer to help him a few times, just to be a good sport.  he may ease up if he knows you are not there to compete.

Answer 11

It sounds like you have a different idea of fairness in this situation. You have a right to not want to take on more than waht you see as your fair share of work, but he has a right to ask for help.

Go up to him and tell him that as a sign of good faith you would like to go to the boss together so that you can find a solution that works for everyone.

In private, approach your boss about the situation and be honest and fair. Tell him you would like to demonstrate good team work but that you feel that it would be inappropriate to accept more work without running it by him. Explain that you feel it is unfair for you to be expected to do more work to compensate for an employee who isn't performing as efficiently as you are.

Then, if your boss asks you to take on more work, tell him you'll be happy to do it and say that you hope this will improve the atmosphere at work. Do the work that you're asked to do with a smile and don't let it become a grudge with someone who would obviously rather rat out to his boss than find a meaningful solution (that's poor teamwork on his part too, by the way!)

Answer 12

Why did you feel taken advantage of? Sure, you finished more work than him but you worked the same amount of time. I think you should take this to the boss first. Tell him that your coworker is having trouble doing his share of the work in the time provided and that you manage to finish before he does. Your boss will probably give you a raise and have you do more work.  

Answer 13

Hey be nice and help your co-worker out unless he has been vindictive or hurtful to you. You never know when one day you will need some help and hope he is there for you. Plus doing good deeds helps out in the long run and you may be looked at as a more willing worker by your boss and you may be the one to be looked at for a raise. Take it from me. I did not get a raise but have helped out whenever needed in my job and my boss and even her boss has very much respect for me and would probably recommend me if I ever had to get another job or was trying to get a promotion. Hope this helps!

Answer 14

Yes you are wrong.  (well, it really depends on what you do after the paperwork is done, do you continue with other work?)

Reason 1.  You are assuming that a "fair" split means the paperwork is split into two piles.  You could just as easily make the assumption that a fair split means you both work the same amount of time.

Reason 2.  Look at it from your bosses point of view.  He wants the work done in a timely fashion.  When you are finished, help your co-worker, it is more efficient and productive.

Answer 15

The original pile of work needs to be  completed by the two of you.  It does not matter who does it, just that it gets done.  

Trust me, the boss understands each of you and how you work.  This time next year, you will be promoted and he'll be still sitting there doing the same work.

Answer 16

let him go to the boss.  and when your boss confronts you about it, just tell him that you guys randomly distribute the work equally, and you just finish first.  if he wants you to do more work then ask for additional compensation