Back-Stabbing Co-Workers
Some competitive industries are notorious for breeding back-stabbers. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out an episode of “Mad Men” sometime. The show is about Manhattan ad men in the 60’s. Things haven’t changed much, though. The Creative Group recently polled advertising and marketing executives about back-stabbers and half of them said someone at work has tried to make them look bad. Their advice? Don’t let it slide. Here’s the question and how those surveyed responded.
In general, what do you think is the best response when a colleague tries to make you look bad on the job?
- Confront the person directly (70%)
- Notify the person’s manager (10%)
- Alert your colleagues to the situation (5%)
- Do nothing (5%)
- Other/Don’t know (10%)
Have you ever had to deal with a back-stabbing co-worker? How did you handle it? What was the outcome? What would you differently next time? Share your thoughts by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below. Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is BACKSTABBER. It’s good until July 13th.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Here’s what happened in our dept. I worked with a real SOB and this person played head games with everyone. Behind people’s backs he blamed others for his mistakes and behind people’s backs, he took credit for other people’s ideas/work. Our “manager” only cared about her phony image/reputation and would not deal with any dept issues. As soon as the SOB realized he could do whatever he wanted without any management interferance, he began to really throw his weight around. To fight back, I began to spread the word on this guy and told about 100 co-workers. The co-workers were glad to be informed of what was happening but in the process, I got a reputation as a “snitch”. In the end, it turned out to be a no-win situation for me. For every action, there is an equal and opposite re-action!!
Carly’s Note: If management won’t take action with someone like that, then you know it’s time to start looking elsewhere. I’ve seen people stay at a job that didn’t pay as well as s/he could have gotten elsewhere because of a skilled and professional manager. A good boss can be such a rarity and can make or break your work experience.
July 14th, 2008 at 5:18 am
Hi Carly,
We have this one manager at work who is very blunt but he also says a bunch of nasty stuff about others.
I’m very careful about what i say when i’m around him because i don’t know if anything will get back to others.
In general be very careful about what you say to your co-workers because it usually comes back to haunt you. If i don’t have anything nice to say about someone i usually don’t say anything at all.
Have a great day.
Carly’s Note: You’re right. It’s best to share work complaints with your significant other, a friend or your therapist!
July 14th, 2008 at 10:36 am
People tend to bury themselves. I too once had a co-worker who tried to make me look bad. He was the type that invited confrontation so I let it ride and sure enough, he was gone in less than a year and made the person who hired him look bad. People can say and do what they want but the best advice I ever heard was “You are responsible for peoples perception of You!”
Carly’s Note: I think you’re right most of the time, but there are occasions when that person’s boss doesn’t see it or does see it but is too cowardly to take action or they’re related! The only aspect you can control, though, is your own reaction to the situation. I would say if you can’t grin and bear it, start shopping around for a new job. Life’s too short to be miserable at work.
July 14th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Mad Man is a great show. Watched it since day one.
Carly’s Note: I was at the Rush concert on Wednesday, so I missed it on Bravo. I’ll have to buy the first season on DVD or get PVR.
July 14th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I agree though, ignore it, work away, the backstabbers eventually hang themselves.
Carly’s Note: No sense stooping to their level, in less it could end up costing you your job. Then you should say something or at least document everything so you can cover your butt.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I worked a a place where this guy would show up either drunk or stoned everyday. If he wasn’t taking his breaks he would literally spend the rest of the day passed out in his office. Eventually all the other employees complained to management about his behaviour, and I was fired.
Carly’s Note: Nice cautionary tale. Do as I say, not as I do.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:29 am
Hi Carly. I worked with this SOB for some time til he started to making me look bad at work. It’s been 5 months since I’ve started to work here now and he’s gone!!! Too bad!!! He couldn’t stand himself. Regards to Samantha.
Carly’s Note: I’m glad it all turned out for you. Five months isn’t that long in the grand scheme of things, but it can be a painful eternity when a situation is out of control.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I had a “friend” co-worker who climbed the corporate ladder. I knew how she operated…she somehow managed to convinced the VP and Director that certain people in the department were useless and had them fired. Well imagine my surprise when I got my walking papers last summer while on Mat Leave with twins. I’m not sure if I’m bitter at getting axed or getting stabbed in the back by someone I believed to be a friend. Needless to say I went to a lawyer and received a decent settlement. Now I don’t want anything to do with horses or a racetrack and I’m waiting for that Karma to kick in.
There really isn’t anything anyone can do. Once the decision is made to let someone go, career sabotage takes its course.
Carly’s Note: In the long run, you’ll be better off at another job but I know it’s hard to digest that in the immediate future. Good luck!