How do you deal with this co-worker issue

ATSBRIDE

I guess I should be greatful..but she is annoying the crap out of me.

There are 4 of us in the office, the manager, the bookkeeper and the 2 of us. We are the ones who primarily answer the phones. I swear she doesn't let me answer the phone. Its like a race or something.  She also 'raises her hand' anytime the boss hollers out for something to be done. She must say "I'll do it 1000x's a day"

I thought it was just me until the bookkeeper asked what her deal was a while back. I have down time and there's only so much stuff I can do to keep busy. I have almost said something in a light-hearted way..but know that I can come off snarky so I've been biting my tongue. 

Melanie2003

first, recognize her type for what it is - she's a people pleaser. she needs to be the volunteer, and she needs someone to tell her, probably daily, that she's useful/helpful. etc. it's a little immature to raise your hand at work, and that is probably noted by her superiors too.

then, i think i'm reading this right, take it upon yourself to be more available. don't wait for boss to holler out, but shoot boss an email that you are wrapping up xyz and available for something new. as a manager, the written email provides a paper trail that i use in annual reviews because i can't remember everything over a 12 mos period - i know what my team is doing and how they space their work and when they are ready to take on something new. and i like it done quietly because it doesn't make anyone else within earshot feel inadequate about their workload in comparison.

i wouldn't butt heads with a colleague - i'd just pave your own separate path instead. take the high road!

 

Apr06

You can always send your boss an email asking if there is anything that needs to be done.  I'm sure he/she isn't blind to the fact that your coworker competes with you.  Why don't you say hey, you seem busy and i'm not, let me take some thngs off your desk.....

mbcdefg

Talk to the manager privately and say something like, "Is there anything I can help out with? I would love to take on a project to help out the team!" I wouldn't mention that you have a lot of down time, personally ... if you must mention it, maybe phrase it like, "I'm between projects right now and I have time to take on something else." 

If the coworker beats you to it again, I would just cheerfully say out loud, "Let me know if there's something I can do to help!"

It may also help if you ask specific questions ("Can I make that phone call to so-and-so for you?" or "What else is on the schedule for the XYZ Project?") rather than just saying, "Do you have any work for me?" Because it shows that you are taking the initiative and you're informed about your company's projects, plus it makes the manager think a little more clearly about what (s)he needs done.

ATSBRIDE

Just wanted to clarify - she doesn't physically raise her hand. As soon as the phone rings she says "i'll get it" if the boss hollers out to do something (and these are menial tasks like mailing something, checking something in a file, etc..) she will yell out "i'll do it". 

I've been here 4 years and have my responsibilities ..I manage the office along with our website, our paper, reporting, vendor negotiations, etc.. She does her stuff which is more member based.  

So its not project work that she is jumping on b/c our roles are pretty clearly defined. It's all to other little stuff. Again..it shouldn't bother me since its nothing of real relevance. But the constant I'll do it is annoying the heck out of me. 

 

MrsGabbs4Ed

Send her to my office, we need someone like that around here! 

ETA:  I think emailing the boss (or perhaps others if it's not out of your scope) to see if anyone needs assistance is a good idea.