How to handle a power struggle at work?

Question

A new person started and she is trying to change procedures that I have put into place. When I confront her about it and tell her that this is the way it needs to be done she cops an attitude and tells me, "I know."

I am not her boss or anything, but I am the only person that has done this job for a long time. I am going out on maternity leave and I don't want to come back to re-learn my job. I did run this past my boss and he told me if she does it again to tell him...but I don't want to be a complainer (to him anyway). She's been trying to do other people's jobs too.

How can I get her to stop trying to change things and to do what she was hired to do?

Answer 1

http://employer.blogspot.com/2007/06/emp...

Answer 2

A business can be successful only if everyone does what he is asked to do without any delay. And an employee that acts too bossy with his colleagues won't do any good to neither of you and he will only make you concentrate on the conflict that has appeared and not on doing your job well. That is why I think you should definitely tell your boss about her behavior so that he could make a decision about this person.  

Answer 3

Your boss said to tell him. It is not your responsibility to make her do things a certain way, but she also does not have the right to change the way things have been done.

Honestly, you should just tell him. Bosses like to know if something is making you unhappy, and a good boss will fix it.  

Answer 4

There is a difference between your way and the right way. If she is getting the job done in a different way, that is ok. But if she is not getting the same end result, you need to inform your boss. It is his job to handle her not you. I think it is always good to type out a list of the way things should be handled, that way she can follow the list.

Answer 5

First of all, absolutely tell your boss if she starts doing it again.  Otherwise your procedures WILL have changed and it will be too late to reverse it.

Second, what I'd do is in a very small voice, explain that this is the way things have been done for a while, it's the way you've done things, and it's the only way you understand them because you're a simple person and frankly you're not that bright--say it in a nicer way, of course--and say it even though you are probaby a lot smarter than she is.

This would be playing on this person's apparent superiority complex.  She will think, "Okay, I'll do things her way because she's dumb," and in fact do them your way.

In short, make her feel a lot smarter than she actually is.  Make her feel like she's using your procedures because you're not smart enough for hers.  It'll make her feel good.

And make sure you tell her that this needs to be the way things are when you come back from maternity leave, otherwise you won't get it (congrats, by the way).

Answer 6

She is trying to impress the boss at the expense of others. I would go back to the boss again since he asked you to do so. Maybe everyone who is affected by her actions should speak to him.  

Answer 7

Try to understand her need to do her job as best as possible instead of this territorial 'power' thing. She's new. Let her be creative but remember that if she does not do it the correct way, she will need retraining. You should stop trying to think this is a power issue. IMO.  

Answer 8

document everything

Answer 9

Your way or no way. What an attitude. I'd love to work with you.

Answer 10

I really think you need to tell your boss. Now if she came in and started doing things differently and it worked or better then your way I guess I'd understand but if she's trying to take over and doesn't know what she's doing then tell your boss.  

Answer 11

If she's telling customers the wrong thing then that is a problem. It might be ok in the short-term but I'm sure it will surface and be a stain on your company's reputation for possibly the long-term. It's better to deal with it now. Maybe she needs to understand why things are done the way they are done. The manager should be able to make that assessment. As long as your objective is for the benefit of the company then say something. I would keep it objective. Just because you don't want to relearn your job isn't relevant. It is what it is. Jobs change.  Actually this is kind of confusing because it is said that we should be looking for ways to improve procedures but that's not always the case. I'd love to change some things where I work but I have no power so I don't. I do try to make suggestions when it's appropriate.

edit: Since you aren't the manager and she's not listening to you then it might be beneficial if your manager gave you a new title so it gives you some more authority since you know what you are doing and why or so it seems. She's new so she may need some more training or have the ability to ask more questions.