I have a co-worker who surfs the net 80% of the day. How do I confront her or do I just tell the boss?

Question

This co-worker and I had trouble about a year ago over other stuff in the office. She is NOT easy to get along with. Others in the office tread very lightly so as not to tick her off. My boss may see this as a continuation of the previous trouble. And my boss is one who thinks that given enough time, most any problem will resolve itself. This surfing the net is like theft, because her job doesn't involve the net at all and we work at a not-for-profit whose budget is skimpy anyway. Thanks for your help.

This co-worker and I had trouble about a year ago over other stuff in the office. She is NOT easy to get along with. Others in the office tread very lightly so as not to tick her off. My boss may see this as a continuation of the previous trouble. And my boss is one who thinks that given enough time, most any problem will resolve itself. This surfing the net is like theft, because her job doesn't involve the net at all and we work at a not-for-profit whose budget is skimpy anyway. Thanks for your help.

PS - I rarely access the internet at work, and I'm NOT at work right now.
I am in the financial department so waste is my concern.

oh, I really am a novice at this... :-/

Answer 1

Even if you tell your boss, is anything going to be done about it anyways? It doesn't sound like it. It might even turn around on you somehow and make you look bad. I've worked with people like that before, and the best thing you can do about it is leave it alone. Your co-worker may get confronted about it one day if the right person catches her in the act, but its not really your place to 'get her in trouble'. I know it's annoying, but you get through it by realizing that at least you have enough respect and integrity to spend your time WORKING at work. You are not the one with the problem, and any of your co-workers can look at you and say 'yes, she works hard.' If you have too much work to do, and there's not problem with you giving work out, try nicely asking her to do something for you because you have a lot on your plate right now, then at least you know she did SOME work that day. If she refuses to help then thats on her, and it could get around the office that she didn't help you when you needed it and obviously had some free time, and maybe that will open some eyes.

Answer 2

These are tricky situations. But look at it this way, if you talk to your co-worker its probably, that person will probably explode and you won't get anywhere with them. And if you tell your boss who is clearly passive then nothing will get done then. So ultimately either way you go its not going to stop this person from doing what their doing and its only going to cause problems for yourself.
Unless you want the hassle I'd leave it alone. Your head is in the right place, absolutely. But if nothings going to be done, then your just causing an extra headache for yourself.
You could try some creativity though. Purhaps the computer should be only accessable to peoples who's job specifically pertain to using it. Maybe that can be accomplished by locking it in an office. Or locking the computer and only allowing those who should have use to have passwords to get on the computer.
You could also help your boss to notice that this person is using the computer excessively by pointing out when things that are her job aren't completed. That would give your supervisor reason to question what she is spending her time on.
Good luck

Answer 3

I don't think that it's right for her to spend eighty percent of her day but you have no way of knowing for sure when she's doing her work / works remote night, etc.

Also, the "tattling" makes you look a immature . Your job description does not entail policing your co workers job. Her manager is responsible for that . Given the known politics / previous problems, it will appear that you are trying to stir it all up again. I think that for your our career image , I'd be above it. It's one thing if you see her stealing trade secrets or walking out the door with company assets , then you have an ethical obligation to report this. Reporting her using the internet 80 percent of the day raises the question to the manager, how do you have enough time to measure that she uses the internet 80 precent (doesn't make you look good) AND it makes you look like you are not a team player. I'd leave it alone. Work harder and get promoted and when you become the manager , you can take action. Try to model leadership behavior and get along with her. (This doesn't mean you condone her actions). Good Luck to you.

Answer 4

You could always email her ............ she is bound to get it immediately! But seriously, it is always best to try the informal approach first and have a word, maybe from the view point that you are worried about her, and that the workload for you has increased causing you stress, could she help?. Most people tend to be bored at work, not enough work to do. Or, they have problems at home and the net is just a distraction. She will probably be embarrassed that a fellow worker has noticed, and if you have a good working relationship, then you will have nothing to worry about.

Or.................. she could not care less what you think in which case you then have to look at taking it to the next level. You could wait until your work suffers and when your manager asks why ........ tell her / him.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Do not be a rat (a snitch). Go ahead and do your job the best you can, while the co-worker plays around on the Internet. Before long, your boss and colleagues will see who is of value and who is not. Good luck. Remember: If a grown woman has an attitude of a bratty 2nd grader, do not let it wreck your day. Instead: laugh at it in your mind.

Answer 6

The boss isn't helping by ignoring his/her responsibility to address the problem. If there is someone higher, take the problem to them.

It's not fair for this person to abuse company time while everyone else works. This person should be reprimanded quickly or they'll continue to abuse the company time. Maybe even firing her would be the best solution.

The boss may not like your going over his/her head but this should be brought to the attention of higher ups as well. You and your co-workers should not have to deal with this person. Stand up for yourselves!

Answer 7

Talk with other people in your office and see if you can get more than just you do either confront her or go to our boss together. That way it will not seem like you are just carrying on an old grudge. And yes she is steeling time doing useless web surfing at work especially since the web has nothing to do with her job function.

Good luck.
Kali :-)

Answer 8

No, but I've had stuff like that happen before. At some point in time you just have to stand up and yell "I don't freakin care anymore! Don't you have something POSITIVE to talk about? You're bringing me down, man, your bringin me down!" Or just a simple "SHUT THE EFF UP" may also suffice. Or just run out of the office screaming and holding your head. They MIGHT get the hint. I mean please, nobody needs to know that I'm in SEVERE pain due to my endometriosis and all the ibuprofen in the bottle isn't helping. Sheesh! it's a beautiful day! Let me enjoy it in my pain and agony. LOL!

Answer 9

It really is non of your business. I suggest you stop worrying about what other people are doing, and start worrying about what you are doing. I also suggest against you going to your boss, because he might not take it the way you think he will take it. He might see just what I stated above, that you are spending a little too much time getting in other people's business that you are not doing what you are supposed to do. He might just say that you are immature and that you need to get your nose out of her stuff.

Answer 10

talk to your boss. if your boss doesnt see it as a high priority, then just tell her "Ok time to get off the net and get some work done" and then there will be a fight but no one else will be afraid of her and finally she'll get off her high horse. or be subtle and make her busy. enlist her help in little projects throughout the day. i know its not your job to babysit her, but theres not a lot you can do except tattle or confront. good luck.