thanks!

Message edited 12/9/2011 1:43:09 PM.

Re: ?: Dealing with certain co-workers

I posted a long reply and LIF logged me out..so you are getting the short version..

I am fortunate to work from home a few days a week (I cover apppearances in the morning, but if they last until 1-2 pm, I just take my work laptop and write my reports from home). I make sure not to abuse it though because I DO have co-workers and some staffers who get an attitude if I dont come in to the office as much.

Fact is, I would probably try to come in anyway, just to "keep the peace". My boss holds 2 Masters degrees, a law degree and decades of experience - and while she doesn't have to physically be in the office on a day to day basis, she comes in just to say hello to people and keep herself relevant in the office social circles. I think that even though you are doing a great job with productivity and efficiency, etc and working from home is a great benefit - that your particular office environment actually would PREFER if you did come in - at least to show you are part of a team, KWIM?

I hope the situation gets better for you.

Re: ?: Dealing with certain co-workers

Message edited 12/9/2011 1:43:42 PM.

Re: ?: Dealing with certain co-workers

I think it's really your boss's place to set expectations and to make clear what is allowed and not allowed. It's sounds like your co-worker has a misconception of what your role in the office (and corresponding responsibilities) are versus her role. It sounds like it would make sense for your boss to address this at a staff meeting or in a memo or email... He could just say that he understands there's been some confusion over office procedures, and in the interest of having things run smoothly, he wants to make clear that it's the (fill in appropriate job titles) responsibility to answer the phone and he does not want the [fill in your job title] answering the phone. Likewise, he can make clear that he wants to encourage the [appropriate job titles] to work from home or in the field to free up office space for x [or whatever the reason is].

In my experience, lack of clear communication is the quickest way to build resentments. Your co-workers still may not like it that you don't answer the phone or that you don't work in the office, but at least they'll know that whatever you are doing or not doing, it is done at management's directive (or with their support, at least).

So maybe you can explain to your boss your concerns with the current office climate and ask him to address it/clear up any misunderstandings.

Of course, if I were you, I'd try to be a team player. I mean, if your co-workers ask you to do them a favor and cover the phones for some reason or another on occasion, I wouldn't make a huge deal of it. But it doesn't sound like you are doing that -- it sounds like you have one particular co-worker who somehow feels like you are not doing your fair share (which seems unjustified based on your post) and is looking for chances to complain.

Also, I find that the drama queens and kings thrive on a reaction. So next time you co-worker makes a dig about you being "off" when you are working outside of the office, I would calmly and nicely say with a smile "Oh, actually Jane, I was working in the field yesterday. I can't believe how much I got done!" Or "Oh, Jane, maybe you didn't know, but I was working from home. [Boss] suggested I do that more often, and it's been working out great for me." It's hard to do this without coming off as defensive, but if you do it right, I think it really shuts the troublemakers down. Reacting any other way just feeds into their need to cause drama and ratchets things up.

Re: ?: Dealing with certain co-workers

Message edited 12/9/2011 1:44:07 PM.