Comments on: Back-Stabbing Co-Workers

By: irock

irock — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:25:40 +0000

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!

By: ALEX

ALEX — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:29:16 +0000

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.

By: Billy

Billy — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:12:25 +0000

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.

By: Ron

Ron — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:59:26 +0000

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.

By: Ron

Ron — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:58:38 +0000

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.

By: Donald W

Donald W — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:36:42 +0000

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.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:18:08 +0000

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!

By: no-name

no-name — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:48:31 +0000

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.