Are you ever suspcious of your coworkers? Do you ever think they are attempting to plan the demise of your...?

Question

career? If you think this, what is your strategy for C.Y.A. - covering your @ss at work?

Answer 1

I dealt with the same situation a few years ago.

When you deal with your co-workers, keep your relationships friendly but professional. When you leave your cubical/office for a stretch of time, lock your files and set your computer on password only. Do not contribute to the gossip mill, but keep your ears open at all times. Document EVERYTHING! This is where e-mail comes in handy. I had a verbal conversation with someone about a project in which this person agreed to help complete. I followed up with an e-mail describing our conversation and asking if they agreed to take over the part of the project that we discussed. They agreed. Three months later, this co-worker dropped the ball and conveniently pointed the finger at me. Guess who had the e-mails to cover her @ss? This co-worker was looking for a way to make me look bad. I covered myself because I knew that it would come back to bite me.

So, do these things and you should be fine. However, if you constantly have to look over your shoulder you might want to find a better environment to spend your 9 to 5.