Stuck in the middle - help!?

Question

I started a new job about 2 mos. ago. It is going great, and I love it. The people are great, my boss is great. However...I have a "situation", and I'm not sure if I should just keep my mouth shut at this point, or talk to my boss in private. There is one lady that works closely with my boss & I. My boss oversees both of us. She's a nice lady, but as with any job, you get to know people..Well, she is one of those people that ***** about everything they have to do and about everybody that works there behind their back. I know if she constantly talks about others (including our boss), then she is surely talking to my boss about me. She's two-faced. When my boss is around, you would think she really likes her. Every day there is some kind of "drama", and I get so tired of her bitching behind people's back. I'm about to pull my hair out. Sometimes I wonder if my boss wants to tell me she knows how this lady is, but is afraid I might tell the lady what she says. What would you do

My "feeble" grasp on proper English??
This is a freaking message board! I had to sum it up. I wasn't able to use all of the proper English words in my intelligent, expanded vocabulary my dear friend. My spelling, grammar and communication are excellent in the workplace. I didn't know I was going to be critiqued on grammar here. Are you sure you're in the right place?

Answer 1

Just let her rant and rave. I'm sure you're doing an excellent job, so keep it up. Show your boss through your deeds that you are a valuable employee, and you have nothing to worry about. If your boss wants to confide in you, they will. Until then, do your job to the best of your ability and let that womans voice just drift off into the background. Every work place has them....unfortunately.

Answer 2

People will tell you that there isnt much you can do, but that all depends on how ruthless you want to be. When you figure that out then you will know what to do.

Look your boss isnt retarded so he/she probably knows what this lady is all about. You cant fire a person for being a prick, but you can make them look bad and loose all recognition in the work place.

The problem is that you are new, so it may raise some eyebrows here and there. You could try the ballsy approach and just ask her straight out why she is always talking behind peoples backs? Ask in the company of others and watch her squirm.

Or you can be even more diabolical, get a tape recorder and record what she says, then share the tape with the coworkers. Eventually she will talk about everyone and you can share that information. She will be the one left out to dry when the who workplace hates her.

If you want to be a child about it, ask why she always talks crap in a public place? Like say in the company bathroom stall on the wall...

Look you can either do something about (which will require you to expose yourself and risk) or you can keep your mouth shut and put up with it. its your choice.

Answer 3

Tell your boss that she is bringing you down with her B.S. and you would like to work with someone more positive. Tell her she is bringing you down but chances are if she is 2 faced like you say she filled your bosses head full of **** already about you. Don`t give her any ammo to use against you! Those type of people will do anything to save there own *** and will stab you in the back. Ask your boss to put you with someone more positive that should get the ball rolling and maybe put a bug in your bosses ear, but beware your boss could be just as damn bad as her. She learned from somebody!!! Show her your tired of hearing the crap and do be scared to stand up for yourself. Don`t just sit there and and keep quite like most wimps show her your tired of this crap. Take a stand!!!

Answer 4

I'm in a very similar situation so i know what you're going through. I've been dealing with this woman's nonsense for 3 years! But I just do my job and try to ignore her (though it can be hard) when she is talking badly about the other employees. No job is worth quitting over one person, especially if you are happy otherwise. And I don't ever dis anyone at work in front of her even if I may disagree with what the person has done. That way, she can't use it against me later on. I hope this helps! Hang in there sweetie!

Answer 5

Keep your mouth shut. If you've only been there two months and know what type of person she is, I'm sure your boss knows. Don't get involved in office politics. Those you think are friends will surprise you in the end. Never trust anyone!!

Answer 6

there isn't much u can do in this situation..either your boss knows how she is or your boss takes her word for it.
The best thing do when she starts talking about everyone is change the subject or say a compliment about the person she is talking about.Hopefully she will get the idea and shut up.
Do not let her pull you into to this and I hope things get better for u.

Answer 7

Just tred lightly around the subject if your boss keeps the conversation going then let your boss know the low down I bet he's feeling the same way.

Answer 8

The professional thing to do about gossips is NOTHING. You will sound very petty and on the same level (after all, you'd be doing the same thing). Stay away from office gossip, don't spread it and don't listen when you can avoid it. Can you picture a gossip or a tattle tale being promoted to boss?

Answer 9

well, your feeble grasp on proper English doesn't help matters when it comes to communicating, and I don't really see what the problem is. many people gossip, many people whine about work, if she isn't doing her job then by all means tell your boss.

Answer 10

STAY OUT OF IT. I'VE LEARNED MY LESSON ABOUT THINGS SUCH AS THESE. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR HER TALK ABOUT PEOPLE, YOU SHOULD JUST LET HER KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED IN HEARING HER TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR PRESENCE BUT THAT'S IT! IF YOU GO TO YOUR BOSS, IT WILL BACKFIRE AND SHE MIGHT LIE AND SAY THAT YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT YOUR BOSS AS WELL. YOUR BOSS WILL EVENTUALLY FIND OUT OR CATCH HER. AND CHANCES ARE, SHE PROBABLY ALREADY KNOWS! JUST DO YOU JOB AND KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED OH AND STOP HANGING AROUND HER CAUSE EVERYONE WHO KNOWS THAT SHE IS LIKE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY START THINKING YOU ARE TOO!