How to Deal With Jerks at Work
This week we have two semi-related questions about unpleasant employees – a common topic in the workplace! Thanks for all the questions, please continue to write : humanresource@lifehacker.com .
Dear employees,
I work as a file clerk for a small but very profitable personal injury law firm. This is my first job outside of school and I was happy to get it.
But I noticed a few oddities in the office. Most annoying is the way lawyers openly brag about their salaries. I was recently denied a promotion (sorry I think after hiring a full-time job it would be wise to get paid above the minimum), so maybe I’m just upset.
I have a twofold question. First, is this normal behavior in the workplace? And second: how can I tell my colleagues how deaf their bragging is? I don’t want to be a nasty young employee, but I’m really put off by their elitist attitude, especially when most of us are supported by paycheck-to-paycheck staff.
The work is full of jerks
No, bragging about a salary in most companies is not normal behavior. For better or worse, talking about money remains a taboo in the workplace. Your boastful colleagues are just assholes.
However, this part is normal. Welcome to the workforce! Full of assholes!
However, you are smart to try to sort out two really different issues: your annoyance at boastful lawyers and your annoyance at being underpaid.
When a coworker brags about his salary
Let’s consider the first question. I don’t think you want to end up directly naming your actual boss every time you encounter this kind of behavior. In fact, you’ll just complain.
But is there any attorney or manager you trust and who you think cares about your best interests? Maybe talk to the person and explain that bragging about money is demoralizing to the service staff (not just you). And since it doesn’t serve an obvious purpose, maybe people could confuse him? I think this is more of a management problem – especially if you can frame it as a problem for the organization as a whole – so talk it over with your manager and have him handle it himself.
Feeling underpaid
Now let’s look at your salary. Hiring a full-time job isn’t necessarily a reason for a promotion (although you might ask before accepting an offer when you did have some leverage). Likewise, the fact that there are other people doing completely different jobs with much higher pay is also not a compelling reason for you to make more money.
Talk to your manager about what is expected of you and what deserves a promotion; try to set goals with a clear schedule. Always try to think about why the company is profitable to pay you more (it is much better to keep you than to replace, etc.).
At the end of the day, you might be wondering which of these issues is actually more important to you. Could you get rid of the braggart if your salary was raised? If so, then perhaps give it more attention in the short term. After all, you have the rest of your career to practice dealing with assholes.
Dear employees,
Not sure if you ever had the experience of writing an e-mail with the important / useful information to colleagues – only to the recipient came to your table and ask questions about what you wrote them an e-mail. And then they explain that they “didn’t have time” to read the email. Because they are very busy. And then ask them to tell you what the email says!
Aha! Damn it, self-obsessed, holier, devoid of common sense, inattentive buckets of pus !!!
Ahem.
Anyway, I had the experience I just described. LOT. Otherwise, my colleagues are quite professional and have many skills. But there are also downsides, such as not being able to read important emails. How do I deal with this?
Train your colleagues
I see two options. First, you can try to teach them how to read your email.
The next time someone comes up to you in a scenario like the one you are describing, say something like, “Oh, I have a deadline for the next few hours [ NB: Don’t say you’re sooooo busy, but it’s kind of like an idea ] and I can’t talk about it right now – but it just so happens that I just sent you a detailed email addressing exactly the questions you are asking! Can we get together again after you have a chance to check it out? By then, I’ll be clear and happy to help with anything that isn’t clear. “
Communicate differently
Another option is to admit that – I can only speculate here – perhaps email isn’t the best way to convey this particular category of information?
Maybe instead of writing a long note about Project X, you’d better send a short one, saying, “Would you like to talk about Project X?” Then talk sometime. Then determine what is best for you in writing.
Remember that even the harshest colleagues rarely want to be dumb. Sometimes, finding a way around their apparently ignorant behavior can be easier than trying to get them to change their lifestyle.
Send your work questions to humanresource@lifehacker.com . Questions can be edited for added volume and clarity.