Workplace conflict of interest?
Workplace conflict of interest?
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24lemons

Original Poster:

2,862 posts

201 months

Thursday 29th May
quotequote all
My colleague who shares the same job description as me is best friends with our supervisor.

Up until now there hasn’t been any issue with either of them but I’m starting to feel that parts of my colleague’s personality and conduct in the office is grating on me. I also feel that I am being overlooked when it comes to taking on new roles and responsibility.

Normally I would speak to my line manager about any such matters but obviously this would be difficult given their relationship. What would you do in these circumstances?


davek_964

10,240 posts

191 months

Thursday 29th May
quotequote all
24lemons said:
My colleague who shares the same job description as me is best friends with our supervisor.

Up until now there hasn t been any issue with either of them but I m starting to feel that parts of my colleague s personality and conduct in the office is grating on me. I also feel that I am being overlooked when it comes to taking on new roles and responsibility.

Normally I would speak to my line manager about any such matters but obviously this would be difficult given their relationship. What would you do in these circumstances?
I guess it depends what you mean, but even if they weren't friends I'm not sure it's reasonable to complain to a line manager about somebody's personality.

Muzzer79

12,185 posts

203 months

Thursday 29th May
quotequote all
24lemons said:
My colleague who shares the same job description as me is best friends with our supervisor.

Up until now there hasn t been any issue with either of them but I m starting to feel that parts of my colleague s personality and conduct in the office is grating on me. I also feel that I am being overlooked when it comes to taking on new roles and responsibility.

Normally I would speak to my line manager about any such matters but obviously this would be difficult given their relationship. What would you do in these circumstances?
Two seperate elements here for me:

24lemons said:
I m starting to feel that parts of my colleague s personality and conduct in the office is grating on me.
Depends on what you're referring to. His personality is irrelevant in the workplace, unless it's affecting work.

As for conduct - is he breaching company code of conduct or.....?

24lemons said:
I also feel that I am being overlooked when it comes to taking on new roles and responsibility.
Do you feel that these new roles and responsibilities are being given to your co-worker that you refer to? Or to other people?

If it's the latter, approach your current line manager - it's nothing to do with your co-worker.

If it's the former, be very sure about what you're accusing people of. You need to be super-objective. I would refer this situation to a peer for an objective view before considering raising it with management.

24lemons

Original Poster:

2,862 posts

201 months

Thursday 29th May
quotequote all
Appreciate the responses.

The personality and conduct matters are mainly low level things. For example, coarse language, sexual innuendo, loud disruptive behaviour in a shared office. Nothing a quiet word shouldn’t be able to fix, they just aren’t behaviours I would tolerate in the environment we work in.

I feel my supervisor is passing responsibilities to my colleague and I don’t get a look in. My performance reviews are always good and no issues identified yet I feel overlooked and I begin to question my abilities.

Under normal circumstances I’d have a quiet chat with my supervisor but I don’t feel I can. I don’t want to take things higher because they really aren’t serious enough for that but I feel the relationship between my colleague and supervisor will always work against me if push came to shove.

Tisy

706 posts

8 months

Thursday 29th May
quotequote all
24lemons said:
The personality and conduct matters are mainly low level things. For example, coarse language, sexual innuendo, loud disruptive behaviour in a shared office.
AKA standard banter to many other people. Read the room. If you are the only person in the office or company that has an issue with the above then it won't end well for you if you complain about it. I think you'd be best looking for a different job.

Edited by Tisy on Thursday 29th May 15:36

Skyedriver

20,643 posts

298 months

Thursday 29th May
quotequote all
How long have you been there? Maybe time to find a better job.

Jim1064

409 posts

221 months

Thursday 29th May
quotequote all
24lemons said:
coarse language, sexual innuendo, loud disruptive behaviour
In my place of work those behaviours are not tolerated. Report it to your manager and leave all the personal stuff out. Or go to your manager's manager.