Dealing with Co-workers

Hi L. - Without knowing what you are saying, it is a bit hard to comment, but maybe try this. "This report looks great. There is just one little thing that needs to be corrected. Do you need any help with this? Maybe I didn't explain this issue well enough. The boss prefers it this is done this way." In other words, getting the point across, but complimenting first, and never saying you did this wrong, you need to be more careful, i.e. no accusatory "you" statements. Hope this helps!

I know that I am so sensitive to criticism but I'm somewhat of a perfectionist and you don't have to tell me twice. I want to do a great job wherever I am. I have also been a boss and realize it is so tough to deliver a critique.

As others have suggested email with CC to management. Also, the oreo critique with what they do well, critique and again, how they're doing a great job, seems the best I can come up with. I often highlight my own learning curve and all the mistakes I've made to normalize the mistakes. But, mistakes are one thing. If its simply a performance issue and not your delivery, darwin rules.

Honestly, it sounds like they are being big old babies. Instead of complaining, they should be paying more attention to their work. I'm guessing their egos are getting bruised every time a mistake comes up.

With people like that, you have to cover your butt - using solely email (as others suggested) is a good start. You could also partner with your bosses & gather all of the mistakes & go over them with everyone present, so your bosses can see for themselves what type of "correcting" you're doing.

L., I would go back to your boss the next time there is a mistake. Show him the mistake and then ask if you can correct the problem with your boss in attendance. That way, the boss knows how you handle the correction. Try to do it exactly the way you have been used to doing it, so that you can get REAL feedback from the boss, IN FRONT OF these two people. If your boss feels that you did things appropriately, these people will shut up.

If there were only one person doing this, I would make a supposition that they were actually gunning for your job, if you are over them (you are training them, after all.) But this involves two people, so you really need to figure out what you are doing wrong. And be honest with your boss when you ask for his attendance. The only way you are going to get better at this is get some help. That's your boss's job, to help you.

I hope you can resolve this.
Good luck,
Dawn

I makesme so mad that people can complain behind your back with out being laughed out of the bosses office for not going to you directly.

Well as we all know, everyone has a different level of "sensitivity" and clearly these two are at the far end. What I would do, if you have your bosses permission, is to call a meeting with these people, and ask them directly what has offended them. Maybe they just can't take it when they make a mistake and someone wants to help them correct it. Good luck to you.

Ah, I was told two week ago by my supervisor that my work style was annoying everyone in my department - my supervisor told me to "slow down". Seems to she kinda' threw me under the bus to everyone else also. It seems my willingness to jump in and just get things done is perceived by others as taking over and I guess I inadvertently stepped on some toes. When I finally brought it up to our department head he told me not to worry about it that he thought my work style was fine. But, gad, it makes for some awkwardness at the office. Ugh.

Seems like you co-workers are on the defensive and instead of just stepping up they would prefer to try and lay all the blame on you for their errors. I think the email route is the way to go. Email is tone neutral and creates a paper trail for you. Which you may need if those 2 keep running to the bosses with every little perceived offense. Also, carbon copy your boss on the emails, let him know that you are doing that and tell him to critique your tone as you want to "ensure that the message is professional". Yeah, a little bit of suck up there, but with two of them batting for you, you may need to be a little like that for awhile.

It is really hard to spend your days watching every little thing you say and how you say it. But it does sound, especially from your SWH, that they are just on the defensive and it would not matter how you corrected their errors, they would be upset about it.

Good Luck

you know what, i think i'd ask my boss to be the one to correct them from now on. be honest. tell your boss that you don't know how you can be nicer about it - but if things are done wrong they need to know (and they DO.) someone has to tell them. if they have such a huge problem with the way you do it, let someone else do it.

You might want to document everything to them by using email exclusively, and always cc your boss so your boss knows exactly what has been done incorrectly and he can then see the tone of the email, which should be neutral, pointing out the mistake, then outlining the steps they need to take to correct it. Always offer further clarification and/or help if needed.
Good luck.

A good idea below is to get them all together w/the boss when a mistake happens and show that this is what happened and how to fix it.

btw - curious as to the ages of these two newbies??? think that might be telling on it's own in some ways (just something I've seen in the past from some people!)

You could also send them emails and keep all of them as proof...sounds like they might be ganging up on you.

Hi, L.:

Ask them, him/her, how would they like for you
to inform them of the mistakes they make?
Once they tell you, use the approach they suggest.
Look up the article on Fair Process as well to see
if that will help you also.
Good luck.
D.

That is so aggravating. I would do what others have suggested, emailing them. CC'ing the boss is a good idea but they may prefer that you not do that due to the amount of emails they get. Also it may come across that you are "tattleing"(sp?) on the other.

Better yet, why don't you ask your boss how they would like for you to handle it. Maybe have a meeting with the other two employees along with the bosses to come to an agreement on how to handle it. Just explain that you would like to find a way that will work for everyone involved and to avoid any misunderstandings.

Some people just can't handle being corrected because in their eyes, they can do no wrong or they feel they are more qualified than you are. It's very difficult to deal with those type of people. All you can do is protect yourself in every way possible. That's why emailing him would probably be best just so you can have the proof. Good luck.

I think they're threatened. It's a tough economy. He is making a lot of mistakes and afraid to lose his job, so he's playing the bosses against you. Since he clicks with her, they're feeding off of each other. I *think* this is one of those things that will come out in the wash, so to speak. I'm sorry you're dealing with this.

Sounds like he's a big baby and can't handle being corrected! He may not fit the bill for this job. That said, you have to deal with him until he quits or gets fired. I think your boss' suggestion was a good one - handle it right then and there when it's fresh for everyone. Also, could you have a conversation with them about how you view the office - as an extension of family - talk about how close people are and how you want that relationship with them. Try to explain that you aren't trying to be difficult or hard on them - just trying to make sure the job is well done and everyone is happy professionally and personally!