Need help...what else can I say to this co-worker

It has been brought to my attention that one of the people who works under me thinks I am a B!tch and do not have time to help her with any of her problems. She also feels offended that I said to her in a complete joking matter "the flood is gone" when she had on high waters.

She failed to mention that she asked me to help her just when the COO was calling me into a meeting. She also failed to mention that when someone asks for me instead of saying "what is this in reference too and is their anything I can do to help you" she says "ok oh Melissa this person wants to talk to you" so I have to drop everything to take the call for something she could have easily done but did not take the initiative (sp) to ask if she could help.

So she made me seem like the wicked witch of the company. So tomorrow I have to meet with her one on one and appologize for offending her in any way and that if she has a problem with me she needs to come to me so we can work out our differences and prevent any issues like this from happening again.

I was suppose to do this today at 5:30 but got called into an urgent meeting and she got pushed aside.

What can I say to her???

Re: Need help...what else can I say to this co-worker

First I would start out for apologizing for saying in a completely joking manner that the flood was over when she wore highwaters. It's teasing, unprofessional & basically just not nice.

Second I would tell her that as co-workers you want to work together as a team for the good of the company & the employees. You'd like her to start taking more initiative with fielding calls and in turn you will explain to her if you are tied up or called into a meeting and cannot help her.

Last, suggest that you would like to open the lines of communication between you & that the two of you need to act like adults and handle this yourselves. If you do that & there is no result, than you can escalate the matter.

Then call her a B!tch & key her car.

Message edited 3/9/2006 9:54:57 PM.

Re: Need help...what else can I say to this co-worker

are you meeting with her because you feel its the right thing to do or because your company is making you? If you are doing this because you want to I wouldnt consider it appologizing but rather explaining your situation and how busy you are at times. if you appologize then it seems like you are in the wrong which could make future situations sticky if it happens again.

Re: Need help...what else can I say to this co-worker

Thanks ladies.

Our office is a very laid back office. We truely have fun and enjoy working with each other. We're all working together on a common goal. Our entire office jokes with each other. I goof on myself at the office. I've had worst comments made to me by my co-workers and you just cant take it personally.

PrincessP: its a little bit of both. It was suggested I talk with her privately one on one to just clear the air and let her know that I know what is going on.

In that discussion is where I want to explain my situation so she understands my side and how I cant always jump for her.

She is also very timid. She is not tough skinned and gets upset very easily. If someone on the phone yells at her and wants to talk to her supervisor she does not want to get back on the phone with that person and tell them sorry she cant come to the phone. Angry person she just wants them off her back and never talk to them again. So I also have to explain to her that these people are not going to hurt her and if they are mad so what because when I get on the phone I dont play nice especially when I find out someone has verbally abused my staff.

I'd feel bad keying her car, she just got it and it's her first really brand new car.

Anyone wanna work in Customer Service in Florida