RE: Problem Co-worker

["HSC Italian" <twins398 -at- hotmail -dot- com>]

Hello Abby,

It is awesome that you have been documenting everything (I do the same 
thing), as that can be used as a tool, if needed, to present specifics if 
requested.

In my experience addressing similar situations, I have learned that managers 
typically are willing to hear your piece (stick to the facts  and share how 
it impacts the work environment ? not bashing the offender in anyway), but 
they also want you to provide a solution or multiple solutions. If you meet 
with the project manager I would encourage you to come to the table with 
multiple solutions.

Aside from meeting with the project manager, here are ways that I have 
learned to deal with obnoxious co-workers:

- answer her question, then resume to what you were doing. For example, if 
the obnoxious person says "Abby, did you change my file?" answer the 
question, then continue doing what you were doing and do not engage in 
further conversation with her, unless, she asks another question, otherwise, 
ignore her. If she gets ticked off, when you see an opportunity to speak 
say, ?I answered your question, I don?t believe what you said after that 
required an answer.?

- email is another good tool. After each encounter you have with this 
person, follow up with an email. For example, if she accuses you of 
something, send her an email, cc the project manager, and recite what 
happened ?In case you did not hear my answer to your XYZ question, no I did 
not change your file. Thank you. Abby?

- continue documenting each incident. When I?ve been in your shoes and 
became weary of documenting everything I?ve kept a 3-ring binder of each 
email sent.

Another thing that can be effective is if your other co-workers know you are 
meeting with the project manager find out if you can mention them. It never 
hurts to be able to tell a manager the facts and solutions, sometimes it?s 
powerful to be able to say ?All the other writers/fifty percent of all the 
writers feel the same way.

Also, check out the company Code of Conduct manual. Depending on the 
verbiage used, this could fall under harassment.

I wish you much success in addressing a very legitimate issue.

Heidi