Passive-aggressive saboteur in the work place

[LucyVanPelt]

I have a co-worker who has been P/A and sabotaging my efforts at work. Unfortunately, I can't prove it.

In the last year, this person has hidden essential materials twice, both of which could have cost me my position or at lease my reputation.

This person has taken to doing things last minute on Fridays when they are 5 minutes to being off the clock and on my day off, and needing my input immediately. Instead of communicating directly with me, they go through my secretary, and then "misunderstand" the communication, even though the person and I had communicated in writing and verbally at least 3 times before the event.

I document this, but no one in management will address it. I make it very clear when someone complains that something this person did "on my direction" negatively affects them that the person went against my clear direction and I've confronted the P/A co-worker about some of this behavior.

Just FYI-- confronting a P/A saboteur only pushes the behavior further out of site.


But what do I do?

[KayKay]

I wonder if a little "Bless Your Heart" is in order? I know that's not your style Lucy, but a smile with a "Did you need help understanding the instructions?" might go a long way if the person thinks they're all that and a bag of chips.

Also, I'd email the person (cc your secretary) mid-morning Thursday with the heads up that you won't be available at 5-until-closing on Friday, that if they'll need your input for something they'll need to ask Thursday rather than waiting for Friday. Let your secretary to reply to the person on Friday afternoon "I'm sorry, as she mentioned yesterday she's out of the office this afternoon." and do nothing to help them.

Who is this person's direct boss?

[LucyVanPelt]

I spoke to his direct boss because he flat out lied, again, about talking to me.

I am not tolerant of liars. This is the third lie I caught him out.

I am not tolerant of hypocritical behavior. He complains all.the.time that people act like he has no life outside of work, but he gets very P/A when other people have a day off.

Right now, he's not talking to me. But I've come to the conclusion that he's to be pitied. He's a sad, angry person who is very jealous of others.

But we will be doing the "Bless your heart" in the future, detailed notes in writing, documentation!

[snafu]

If it doesn't improve you may need to do like I did .... move to another location.

[LucyVanPelt]

Thanks, snafu. I sure hope I don't have to move. Other than this pita, I like it here.

[snafu]

Sadly, by not taking action your bosses are actually condoning the behavior.