Help with a coworker who is blaming every screw up on me?

Question

I was hired in as a temp along with a another. We're both pretty young (early 20's) and lately the other temp has been screwing up a lot (turning in reports done wrong). When the reports come back wrong she tells management she didn't do them and management comes to me and I get reprimanded. She also defaced and wrote grafitti on some of the pictures that are hanging up in our office while I was on lunch break. When I came back from lunch she left for hers and management came into the office and I got a huge reprimand for it even though I tried to explain that I had no idea what was going on. One of the VP's has been hinting around lately that at the end of our temp work they're going to hire me on permanently, but I'm afraid these little problems that the other temp is causing are going to persuade the VP not to hire me at all. My question is should I pre-emptively approach my boss about these issues or not bring any attention to it at all?

Answer 1

Have an appointment with your boss and explain to him in detail of what your colleague is doing. If he listens it is OK.Otherwise give him a hint to keep some silent observers to know the facts on day to day basis.
Truth will come out on its own. Be serious and honest in your job and everything will be alright. People can never thrive on back biting. Only our sincerity and hard work will reward in long run.

Answer 2

The best approach is to just do your best, be polite to everyone, and do your best work.

If you do good work, make sure you get the credit for it. If you make a mistake, or do something wrong, take responsibility for that as well.

If someone is trying to smear you, it is not deserved, in the end they will only end up making themselves look bad.

How do you know it was this other temp who defaced and wrote on pictures hanging up in your office? Why did you get blamed? You did the right thing by stating you didn't know what was going on, or or who did it. You should never rat on your co-workers, even if they do inappropriate things. It is not your place, management should investigate and locate the real culprit.

If they have made you into some kind of a scapegoat, you need to ask yourself if it's worth it for you to continue there. If you like the work and or the money, you might consider staying on, but make sure you conduct yourself properly. In the end, your good conduct will prevail and people will see you in a positive light.

If the VP has indicated to you that there might be a permanent position for you, that is a good thing and I don't think you need to worry. Don't worry so much about this other temp, let her do whatever she's going to do, ignore it, and conduct yourself well. Worry most about your own behaviour.

Hope this helps - I have about 10 years experience in a large corporate environment.

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry. The VP wants to hire you permanently. He/she probably knows all these little problems are being caused by the other temp. For now I suggest writing down everything you do, where you went, spoke to, etc. Often called "CYA" (Cover Your @ss). The next time management reprimands you for something you didn't do pull out your handy dandy CYA notebook and tell them where you were and spoke to during that time period.

As far as the other temp goes...clear cut case of jealousy. She's jealous that you were chosen instead of her. Now she's out to do everything she can to make you look as bad as possible hoping the VP will change his/her mind and hire her instead.
I was a temp years ago so this sort of thing isn't new to me. In one my temp positions a permanent employee actually sabotaged a project where I had seniority and was in charge over the other workers in making sure the work proceeded smoothly and was done in a timely fashion.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, the only things you can do are: 1) Quit, she's in tight with the boss and what do you think the chances are that she'll get fired, or even reprimanded? 2) Learn how to handle her like your boss said. Maybe there is a way you can talk to her and let her know you have been doing all her extra work. She might not be that ignorant. (then again...who knows) 3) Get everyone who doesn't like what she's doing and threaten a massive walk out if they don't address her behavior. That's definitely the most rash of the choices but, if it's a big problem with everyone else too, safety in numbers just might work. I'm out of ideas besides the ones that will probably get you fired or arrested, so, good luck!

Answer 5

That is a tough situation to be in. I have a little young thing in my office that is quite the "mean" girl. She spends her time trying to crawl up the boss's *** that it's pathetic! Not to mention, she's just a rude, immature little girl. She does the most hurtful things. From what I've figured out, nobody really cares what she does and I have just let it go. I know what goes around will come around. I hope that I can see it come around to her, but if I don't, I'll just have to make peace that it will happen at some point in her "mean" life. She talks about people at the main office like they were crap. No respect for anybody whatsoever. Once I think about it, she's a really sad little thing. In your case, if it came down to you getting this job and you were put on the spot about this, I'd tell the truth just as it's happened. Hopefully, the one hiring can see past her outside to the mean inside she obviously is. Good luck.

Answer 6

First approach the other temp and tell her that when she doesn't own up to her screw ups that you're the one they reprimand. If she doesn't care, then bring it up to the VP's attention. Make sure that you have proof.

Answer 7

In the business world you never burn bridges, however, this person is burning your bridge right out from under you. You need to bring this to the attention of management. You need to go in with proof and you need to stand your ground. By doing this, you are doing two things. 1. Showing you have some backbone... good managers have backbone and that you are not a push over. 2. You are putting blame where it needs to be and helping the company become stronger by helping remove the weaker employees.

Answer 8

Cover Thyne A** is a motto you need to live by. Ititial your work, or keep a private log of the work you've done. Get a little smart about being with someone else at lunch (you could have said, I was with mary when that happened, just ask her). Distance yourself from the other girl. You could also privately confront her and tell her you're onto her and she should knock it off.

Answer 9

You say "management comes to me and I get reprimanded" and "I tried to explain". It is at these "crisis" points, and not a few days down the line, that you need to stand up for yourself. You must be assertive and refuse to accept blame that you don't deserve.

Remember that assertive doesn't mean aggressive. Be polite and respectful to your boss. Don't get angry and don't raise your voice. Just calmly tell your boss "Ma'am, that isn't true. This is what really happened."

Answer 10

sorry to hear that, that has happened to me, and not much you can do about it. the reports, if hand written, you can prove are not yours by your hand writing.
the graffiti, well, try to be with some one to prove you are not doing that. i know, its hard, that too has happened to me on several jobs. i got to where when i seen some thing, i would call the bosses right away and complain. i would also take notes all the time, time date place, every thing counts especially the time, where you are, coming and going, so when questioned, you can answer saying, "i have it written down, here look" i have done that and it has saved me a few times.

Good Luck :)