How do you deal with an aggressive, "macho" acting co-worker?

Question

I am working at a contract position. The company headquarters is moving soon so I am training someone to do the work that I do.

She is very agressive and "macho"acting. She constantly tries to find mistakes in my work or work that I show her. She also wants to show that she is smarter than anyone else and can learn quicker and make the process better.

How should I deal with her? Other contractors also feel the same way.

She is the kind of person that uses you when she needs you and otherwise does not talk to you. They say Hi to her in the hallway and she does not respond.

I don't want to say anything to my boss. Its best just to grin and bear it.

Does anyone have any other tips? I think if let her be, she will dig her own grave or make her own strong position. I am just her to do my job which if it includes training her, that's what I have to do. I am at least earning money for it.

Answer 1

First, try and find out if that is really what she was hired to do. I came into a position as a temp and was told to review processes, kinda audit what I saw and see if there was room for improvement. The wimp that I report to never said anything to the other workers about what I was doing. As far as they knew, I was just here to file and shred things.

As for the macho, and I must find problems, that was how the findings were perceived when I brought things up. Change is a bad thing here. I learned to just not look anymore since my boss has no backbone to stand up.

If your boss likes someone like her uncovering what she believes to be incorrect procedures, then watch out. If she makes your boss look bad by digging up stuff to benefit herself- she probably won't be there long.

If this person bothers you then mention something to your boss to get a feel for what he/she has laid out. They might not even be aware that she is doing this.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

Mock her, but do it in a subtle fashion. If you let her know that she's being a pain in the rear without flat out telling her, she'll get the idea. Give her goofy smiles in the hallway, ask he bizarre questions like "should I get this amputated?" or "pull my finger". These ideas may sound dumb, but once you try them, she will buckle like a house of cards. I've done it and it works.

Answer 3

just tell her. you all can get together and talk to her. the chances are if everyone gets together on this one than she wont be able to act stupid about it