How can I keep my boss aware of my colleague's incompetence?

Question

This sounds like a really nasty question, I know, but the editor of the magazine I work on (I'm the deputy editor) is utterly useless at her job and I have been on the receiving end of her lazy attitude, low standards, bad organisational skills and even her dishonesty for nearly two years. My publisher has been well aware of the situation for months and even called me into his office last week, after a very stressful time, to say he knows it's me who is holding the magazine together and that I should "hang in there." I don't really know what that means, but I know that if I continue to cover up this woman's blunders, she will never be dealt with properly. How can I keep my boss aware of her future errors without looking totally bitchy or complaining to him every five minutes? Thanks in advance for your advice.

Answer 1

Take a vacation.

Answer 2

Firstly if you have been called into the office and a comment has been made that you are holding the magazine together thats great because someone knows what this other woman is like!
If i were you id have a word with your boss and explain your not being bitchy or stabbing anyone else in the back but you feel that he/she should be aware that this other person needs to pull their weight for the sake of the magazine!!
Also explain how stressfull its been on you and how much busier you have been trying to do two peoples jobs. Im sure your boss already knows about this other lady and is already watching how she works. Dont be afraid to express your feeling!! Good luck xx

Answer 3

but you're not continuing to 'cover up' her blunders, are you? Your boss is aware of the situation. So I agree you need to be careful not to appear bitchy.
I think you need to keep a note (perhaps a diary) of anything important that occurs as a result of her ineptitude, and of anything you did to rectify it. Then you have the information to hand if the publisher should ask about what's been happening; without being seen to run to him all the time. You can also draw on this information for meetings (I assume you have regular journal meetings to discuss progress?) at which you can outline to the publisher what you have achieved recently (you can do this without being bitchy about the editor).

Answer 4

Thats a really good idea - take a two or three week holiday and leave her to sort her own mess out, by the time you get back, she'll have had the sack and you'll have a promotion. If this isn't possible, just make a note of everything that goes on for a short period of time and the show it to your publisher. You shouldn't be held responsible for another person's bad attitude, and your publisher obviously knows the situation, so I imagine something will happen in your favour pretty soon.

Answer 5

Oh costly! Bitchy colleagues (and that i do comprise the male inhabitants in that remark). not something worse... What must you do? enable it bypass, in case you're considered to be expert and dignified by way of not growing to be to this bait then it particularly is you who would be greater effectual considered, not your colleague, who by the type does seem laid low with a considerable dose of lack of self belief. notice which you will not bypass away your paintings mendacity around, have confidence should be earned and your have confidence on your colleague has been betrayed. Lock it away once you bypass away your table, do not talk any further than you definitely ought to, do not withhold information that's needed or suitable or you would be considered to be obstructive, its an spectacular line to stroll yet you look sensible sufficient to know what's appropriate. What are your concerns? your guy or woman own income or group overall performance and corporation fulfillment? however if it particularly is own income (because it particularly is including your colleague) then you definitely could discover that those in can charge won't evaluate you worth of merchandising, in case you're expert sufficient to place the group and corporation first then this ought to coach by using to those that count. If it does not then you definitely ought to settle for which you're working for the incorrect corporation. Watch your back in any respect cases, cope with this individual with the utmost warning, she has made you her objective, notice of this. good success.

Answer 6

I was in a position where my manager was doing bugger all and everything was left for me to do. In the end I got sick of complaining to everyone about it. I'm a firm believer now in fixing problems rather than discussing them to death! So I took time off and refused all calls from work and let my manager do what she was supposed to do. In the end people realised that in the time I was gone, that nothing was getting done and what actually WAS being accomplished was pretty badly done. Once I came back to work things went back to their high standard and the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. I was hesitant at first to let down my other team members but in the end I had to look out for myself. If taking time off is not an option call in sick on a day where this colleague of yours will be forced to pull a rabbit out of a hat and get things accomplished!
Sometimes being silent and sneaky works better than being upfront and direct. It will help protect you and your job. You won't look like you're out to cause trouble.
Good Luck.

Answer 7

Sounds like your boss is WELL aware. Keep a diary of meetings and mistakes. You may need it should you get sacked by your incompetent boss and get no back -up from the publisher. You may also be asked for your opinion and the diary will catalogue the incompetent ones errors. Then you may have all the evidence you nee for an unfair dismissal case.

xxR

Answer 8

Boss already knows. He told you that. So hang in there.

Wait for a while before even mentioning anything about this woman. He won't need reminding often. I'd only complain now if this woman does something that was really hurtful.

Answer 9

Sounds like everything is already known. Only question is ... how did she get the job and how is she keeping the job ?

If possible ... if it doesn't affect your performance .... you have to stop covering up her blunders and let her fall on her own. It may mean some problems for your magazine but ... eventually she is going to have to go. Try to hasten that day ..........

Answer 10

im an editor on a small community publication, ive been here, working with lazy and incompetent associates...

i tried and tried to get my issues recognised... in the end i took a week of on the publishers deadline and forced them to do it... (i had man flu)

oh how attitudes changed... if youre not upto the job, compiling and laying out 24 pages isnt easy, what i can do in a day took them over a week...

i made my point...

Answer 11

doesn't sound like there is much you can do! Your boss is aware of the problem but isnt handling it! He is probably waiting for an opportunity to fire her without the backlash of unfair dismissal!
Don't stop doing your job correctly - it will only come back on you!
However it does sound like your boss needs you there - you could try an ultimantum - its risky tough!