Dear Jobs Guru: ‘My party animal workmate won’t cease pulling festive sickies’
We all enjoy a bit of holiday cheer – but reader Ciara is fed up with picking up the pieces for a colleague who’s constantly hungover. Jobs Guru James Innes is here with some advice
Question:
Dear James,
My workmate is a real party animal and now we’re getting close to Christmas I know she will be pulling sickies all the time.
Either she’ll call in sick, or she’ll be too hungover to do any proper work, and it all means more hassle for me.
I’m keen to work my way up in the company but she has no ambition – apart from getting wasted it seems!
I don’t want to be the one who drops her in it, but I’m fed up of her behaviour. What can I do?
Ciara, Northampton
Answer:
You find yourself in rather a tough spot, Ciara! Evidently, you know your colleague quite well. I think your first port of call therefore has to be your colleague herself. You must speak to her. Privately, quietly and diplomatically.
Explain to her that, from previous experience, you know what to expect and you are, understandably, rather apprehensive about this year – because, whilst she might be having lots of fun, it’s quite the opposite for you, creating all sorts of hassle.
I obviously can’t predict how she’ll react but I definitely think this is the right initial approach to take.
If she does nonetheless persist and continues to party December away like the Wolf of Wall Street, that’s a clear lack of respect for you and you’ll need to ‘take the matter further.’
I know you don’t want to drop her in it but I personally think there is a difference between doing that and making it clear to your manager(s) that the situation is unfair on you at this time of year. And you can’t be the only one to be negatively impacted by her behaviour, or to have noticed it in previous years. I’d expect you’ll have the support of others.
There’s nothing wrong with liking a good party – but there is something wrong with letting down colleagues through selfish behaviour.
Top Tip:
If your colleagues lack ambition then don’t let that impact negatively on your own work ethic. Keep doing your work to the highest of standards and it will hopefully not go unnoticed.
Spotlight On: Dealing with difficult people
How you handle difficult people will demonstrate pretty much everything anyone needs to know about your interpersonal skills.
Do you clash head-on with difficult people? Do you run away and hide? Or do you find ways to deal with them? You want to demonstrate that you are someone who, when faced with a difficult colleague, will find ways to handle the situation – and to put your relationship on a more positive footing.
Nobody wants a hothead who is just going to clash with their colleagues, nor do they want someone who is going to be prone to being bullied.
Empathy is very important, but it’s vital to be assertive with it or you’re not going to get very far – that includes being able to resist the dominant behaviour of others.
Our Jobs Guru, James Innes, is a best-selling careers author and founder of the world’s leading group of professional CV and resume writers .
Get a head start on your dream career with James’ new book The Job You’ve Always Wanted (£16.99), out December 2 from Pearson. Dear Jobs Guru: ‘My party animal workmate won’t stop pulling festive sickies’
