I have insomnia because I don't know how to deal with a dishonest coworker

[TZ]

I've been worrying over this situation all weekend. I tried to go to sleep but I can't.
We had this big project due on Friday. I knew it wasn't going to be done entirely, because of unexpected lab issues.
However, this new coworker of mine was assigned to do some of this work a few days ago, but HAS NOT DONE IT. I asked her if she would do it on Friday and she said "no, I have research to do. Nobody told me it was due". I told her to go see our supervisor about it. She didn't. She sat on her ass at the computer all day. She told me she talked to him but since he didn't mention this last set of data to me, I know she didn't talk to him.
This isn't the first time she's ignored me. I have given her advice on how to do things in the lab (we have strict SOP's we need to follow) and she IGNORES me and does it her way. She told me she has "permission" to do it her way. I sincerely doubt it, since her way doesn't follow the protocol. I also suspect that some of her results aren't....kosher, shall we say.
I think she thinks she knows better than all of us in the lab. I know some of my other coworkers are not happy with her, but going and accusing her (a PhD and therefore considered a superior to me) of lying is problematical. Also its possible that the work that didn't get done will get pinned on me not doing it...(I seem to be a scapegoat sometimes).
Well, I just need to vent so hopefully I can get some sleep. But this whole situation is agitating me greatly.

[Droopy]

1. I wouldn't hesitate in pointing a finger her way

if the shit hits the fan. What's the worse they could do to you?

[TZ]

3. I'm a temp in the process of getting hired.

I need the health benefits soon. I don't need this...I can't afford this bullshit....

[Pale Blue Dot]

4. I agree. But mostly you should get some sleep.

I've heard that echinacea works wonders for insomnia! ;-)

:hug:

[zabet]

2. Give her enough rope

to hang herself with.
Do not hesitate to point
out that the short comings
of the work on the project
are not your fault but hers.

[emilyg]

6. Who's responsible for the project? Who signs off on it?

[emilyg]

5. Who's responsible for the project? Who signs off on it?

[TZ]

7. My supervisor's supervisor signs off on it.

Whom is actually the person this lady is EVENTUALLY going to be working under. Part of it, I think is she doesn't want to look bad.
She's already screwed up a piece of equipment in the lab that someone fortunately was going to fix.
A piece of equipment that someone of her background SHOULD know how to operate but doesn't seem to know very well

[Coyote_Bandit]

8. Build a trail

When you talk to her follow up the conversation with an email so you can document your communications with her. Email will serve to verify your assertions should that be necessary.

[Orrex]

9. If you're potentially on the hook for it, you should definitely speak up

Don't accuse her of lying, because that's a tangential issue and could easily cost you more than you might hope to gain.

Instead, speak to your supervisor in confidence. If you have sufficient rapport, mention outright that you're concerned that your coworker's contribution to the project might reflect badly upon you.

If this doesn't seem appropriate, then it's a basic personnel issue. One member of a project team isn't carrying her weight. Indicate this to the project leader (if such exists) and ask for input. If there's no specific project leader, go to the person best able to fill that role (maybe the supervisor).

Your concerns are valid, especially insofar as her shoddy performance could have a negative impact on how your own performance is perceived in the lab.


Anyway, that's what I'd do. I don't work on many projects per se, and to date I've been lucky enough not to have to deal with any slackers. One thing to bear in mind is that the supervisor (or some equivalent) might likewise be on the hook for the results of the project, so it's in that person's best interests to deal with the weak link before the whole chain breaks apart.

[TZ]

11. Unfortunately, I don't have a good rapport with my supervisor

He's under a lot of stress and pressure from above to get this stuff done...He and his Supervisor got in a SHOUTING match in the office area a couple of weeks ago. He often tells me one thing one day and the next day he tells me something else. Or he forgets the stuff that I tell him.
Pardon me..I think I am gonna cry. I just feel so.....trapped at the moment.

[Orrex]

14. In that case, go with the suggestion that I PM'ed you

Seriously, Coyote_Bandit gave the best suggestion, given your circumstances. Document your exchanges, emailing when possible, and build a trail.


If you can't stop the sky from falling, make sure that you have a good umbrella.

Sometimes my eloquence is so goddamned profound that I can't even describe it!

[TZ]

15. ...

Thanks. Maybe if I just visualize your suggestion.....:)

[badgerpup]

10. If you're going to have to complain to her supervisor...

...then you need to have documentation, otherwise you might come off as just whining.

See if your co-workers who aren't happy will back you up with documenting this.

Don't know what kind of 'lab' you work for, but SOPs are usually there for a pretty good reason- one of which being protection in case of accidents or mis-read results.
Not using SOPs opens up a lovely can of worms in case of accident and litigation.

CYA and document. Just date and occurence, witnesses if any...

And keep a copy.

[TZ]

12. God help us when QA comes in an monitors her....

We are under STRICT regulation from the FDA, and some of the things I have seen her do/not do could trigger an FDA audit, something that would be...BAD.

[TZ]

13. GAAAH!!!

On top of everything else my cat just barfed on my bed...and I can hear in the dark..somewhere else.....:banghead:

[Skittles]

16. why the F*** do cats barf on the bed

they KNOW we sleep there - hey wait - is THAT the reason? :grr:

[travelingtypist]

17. It's stories like this that make me so glad that

I am self-employed and work from home. No bosses, no
coworkers, just get the work done.