When a Coworker Gets Special Treatment

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Boy would I like to forward this article to my co-worker. I am the "irresponsible" one with a good relationship with my boss. Alison is correct that you do NOT know what is beneath the surface, and it's none of your business. My bet is that you don't have a life outside of work, and you're jealous of your co-worker on many levels. Is she pretty? Are you stereotyping her? Mind your own business and get your work done.

Dizzazzle of GA 2:41PM November 30, 2011

Well its hard to talk to your boss if they say there ganna do sum but never do cuz they are all rrelated. In my line of work. All my superviors n lead are related or know each other since they werwere kids. I tryd opening my mouth about what was going on with how my department was ran they outcast me. I no long am part of there circle n don't get invited to parties anymore. That's not what brothers me whatt brothers me is that they started accusing my husband of hand off drugs to another employee that did the same thing that I did and that was tell our ceo about favortism. Now we are injepordy of losing our jobs. Wht can u do?

joey of AZ 7:16PM November 17, 2011

One of the complaints I frequently hear about unions is that they protect lazy workers which is in some cases, true. However this post shows just as readily that non-union places of employment have the same issues with the added impact of bad managers that cannot be grieved. Inefficiency threatens everone's job security.

Randy Schelhas of OH 7:56PM September 28, 2011

Wow, this post was really unhelpful. "Talk to your boss"? Really? The boss is the problem. I get so irritated when people are abused in some way and people tell them basically they just have to lie down and take it. The company I work for is very clearly taking advantage of employees because they KNOW they can because of the bad job market. What's the answer to this problem? There needs to be a solution other than "suck it up because there's nothing you can do about it." When injustice occurs, we should fight it and not just accept it as a part of life.

Rebekah of PA 10:29AM April 04, 2011

I have a very sticky situation like this to. One of my co workers has targeted two people I worked with and got them fired for lies. I got written up because she made a lie about me. She has had two no call no shows, and she lies on her time card. I don't know what to do about this, but I try to avoid her as much as possible, but she is always running to our supervisor and telling her I'm doing somthing wrong. Her mom is good friends with our supervisor, and I know thats why she gets special treatment. No call No show should be automatic termination.

Savy of CA 10:44PM June 15, 2010

A co-worker of mine is late all the time, sleeps on the clock, doesnt do her job, and most of all gets attention from a manager who never seems to resolve the issue. Which has been brought to her attention time and time again, by more than one employee. I wish there was a simple answer to this problem. I almost feel its discrimination, I just dont know how to prove it.

David Parker of GA 8:49AM June 04, 2010

I have the same situation and the worst of all. We all suspect they have a affair.
Stay out of it otherwise you might lose your job.

KDV-1 1:19PM December 31, 2009

Obviously, the manager's favoritism IS affecting office morale. The situation described above sounds as if it's been going on for a long time. What happened to perception is reality in the office environment? What happened to management leading by example?
Alison's comments strict a nerve with me. In our workplace previously, the chairman of the company hired a private consulting firm to determine and address the problematic issues in the workplace.
At the end of the day, the consultant broke her confidentiality agreement and gave management the names and comments what everyone said when they were interviewed. People lost their jobs, others were shuffled. However, those who comicommitted atrocities in the workplace ie. management stayed put and received bonuses or promotions.

Sam of WA 9:43PM November 14, 2009

Do not worry Lolo. Rumors can destroy a character for a short moment, but it would not stay long. Just be strong and be fair to others.

Jianing 5:29AM September 09, 2009

Alison gives incredibly sound advice here, really every point but - "Aside from being annoying, is this affecting your work? If not, you should stay out of it because it's really not your business." What comes around, goes around, it really does.
I have an iron-clad work ethic. I have always had a great rapport with both men and women bosses and am never satisfied with status quo. Combine this with being remotely attractive and you draw out the nit picking, clock watching, jealous no-nothings strumming up drama. It is so tiring to truly work hard and have peers speculate or scrutinize because they simply lack the concentration on their own job. ( I am NOT saying this is you, I am assuming you have a valid complaint...just some thoughts)
I too have noticed co-workers who are late, even habitually and I can get mildly irritated too, it's human nature. But it's not my business if it doesn't affect my job and I'm not their boss. So I don't let it consume my day.
Certainly discuss it with your boss if it becomes "demoralizing" but remember that runs both ways. Nothing more demoralizing than working hard, doing well and staus quo peers assuming that naturally there's some favoritism going on.

rezume of WA 12:27AM September 09, 2009