[Closed] Grassing up a work colleague

just be honest.

Give your Director the report he asked for!

As sadexpunk says just be honest.

Yes, give the director the report and make sure it is truthful, factual and honest.

+1 for honesty

The truth is the truth and it's not your fault.

If he's asked for a report he must have an idea about the guys behavior, so if you're not honest it could come back and bite you. Just tell it like it is.

I bet the director knows what is/has been going on. Be honest and factual.

The truth is the truth and it's not your fault.

^^This^^

Why this fear of "grassing up"? You're just telling the truth and making the business better. Which is why you're there.

Be honest mate. All you can do.

Think of it from the perspective of what would you want if it was your own business? Would you be happy if someone was covering up for a colleagues shortfalls?

Just be honest but do it in a professional and constructive manner, nothing worse than a director seeing an email which seems to be a rant...

I would strongly suggest that the email from the director needs to be answered, you never know they may have been building a case behind the scenes? As a director I would want to know that my staff were pulling for the company rather than hiding something from me, especially in a potential poor staff performance matter.

And you are not being a 'grass' just answering questions from a director of the company and based on the fact you are moaning about this colleague means you should at least make it known what has been happening...

HTH

sunday

As all have said.

Be factual in everything, do not offer any opinion or judgement (difficult).

Focus on what happened, rather than what did not (i.e. rather than saying "xxx did nothing to answers customer enquiries", tell them what did happen e.g. "customer enquiries were quickly handled by yyy and zzz")

Feel totally confident that what you write, you would be happy to tell to the persons face.

Job done, good luck, not easy but you will feel great.

Kev

It may be best to avoid writing anything down and just meet with your director in person for a chat.

You can then get him to lead the conversation, and answer the questions he wants answering without having anything in writing which 'could' come back around to you.

write a polite email stating that you don't want to talk bad of a co-worker.....nobody likes a grass and if he has seen the extra work you have been doing and is eyeing you up for promotion, the people working at the next level up certainly dont want to be working alongside one. just point him in the direction of the evidence he needs which as a director he probably has already seen
edit; chew's idea seems even better

Focus on what you have done NOT what he hasn't.

stevewhyte - Member

Focus on what you have done NOT what he hasn't.

Best advice so far

nobody likes a grass

Really? If one of my staff was under performing really badly and no one told me, it would be those who didn't tell me I wouldn't like. If someone told me, I wouldn't suddenly say, "Oh, he's a grass. Nasty. I better not like him any more"

It's not "grassing up". It's an honest appraisal of the situation.

As Chew says.
Before putting it in an email just have a chat with your Director.
emails can sometimes be misinterpreted and when someones job might be riding on it it might be as well to make absolutely sure where you will stand if you say x about y.

It's not "grassing up". It's an honest appraisal of the situation.

If one of my staff was under performing really badly and no one told me, it would be those who didn't tell me I wouldn't like.

If you have an under performing member of YOUR staff you shouldn't be relying on someone else to tell you.

Just state facts. Offer no opinion. He will/should be able to take what he needs by what's NOT written.

You need to be honest and transparent.

The personal workloads and effectiveness won't have gone un-noticed, hence the formal request from your director.

Have an off the record chat with your director if that makes things easier and share your concerns. but you will need to follow up with a written report. You can't reproach yourself for someone else's shortcomings especially when they have blatantly taken the piss

Good luck

Very true, Damo, very true! 😳

I suppose I meant that if it was something like this, where it appears that others are carrying the dead weight. That sort of thing can be missed.

If you have aspirations and want to progress you need to decide which side you're on and act appropriately.

Very true, Damo, very true!

Thanks for understanding my point. I did think about it after and I think you'd be right in certain circumstances, perhaps with a v large team (call center etc?) where you may have 200+ staff. But even then I'd expect some team structure such that direct reports were manageable.

I'd say the fact that your director has specifically mentioned that he wants to know what your colleagues contribution has/hasn't been means he's already 'onto' what's going on.

Just be honest - say you have been 'covering' for your colleague, and say something to the effect of "well, if I hadn't picked up the slack it wouldn't have got done" and "I think it's OK to help people up to a point, but not when they just won't/can't learn and it happens all the time".

Knowing how some directors' minds work - this might be your only chance. He'll probably be viewing this as a one-off judgement to clear his conscience and the air in general. In my experience, most directors don't want to leave any meeting/process with unanswered questions. The fact that your director is taking an interest makes him pretty good in my opinion - a lot don't give a monkey's how much strain people are under, just so long as the work gets done.

Also, ask yourself if your colleague would lie and play up their contribution if they were giving the report - it sounds like they'd stiff you given half a chance - no reason to be sentimental.

Don't sweat it - the chances are your colleague may not be cut out for the work anyway - if they can't cope, it is in their long-term interests to get it sorted as well. What would happen if you left?

To answer the OP it depends if this is normal behaviour from your Director. Does he normally ask for a debrief after a holiday? I would presume so.

Is him asking for "what my colleagues involvement and actions have or haven't been" in the context he actually asked you the same as the context and with the same meaning you give it above?

I'd just be careful of projecting your perception onto what might be an innocent and quite usual request from your Director.

Either way I'd report back on what you've done. There is no need to mention what others haven't done. He will figure that out and personally I'd prefer it that way (in his position).

Quiet word with the other member of staff wouldn't go a miss imo and is the way I'd approach the situation.

I'd say the fact that your director has specifically mentioned that he wants to know what your colleagues contribution has/hasn't been means he's already 'onto' what's going on.

Just be honest - say you have been 'covering' for your colleague, and say something to the effect of "well, if I hadn't picked up the slack it wouldn't have got done" and "I think it's OK to help people up to a point, but not when they just won't/can't learn and it happens all the time".

Knowing how some directors' minds work - this might be your only chance. He'll probably be viewing this as a one-off judgement to clear his conscience and the air in general. In my experience, most directors don't want to leave any meeting/process with unanswered questions. The fact that your director is taking an interest makes him pretty good in my opinion - a lot don't give a monkey's how much strain people are under, just so long as the work gets done.

Also, ask yourself if your colleague would lie and play up their contribution if they were giving the report - it sounds like they'd stiff you given half a chance - no reason to be sentimental.

Don't sweat it - the chances are your colleague may not be cut out for the work anyway - if they can't cope, it is in their long-term interests to get it sorted as well. What would happen if you left?

Few big assumptions there!

I remember something vaguely similar a long time ago. In a chat with the director he revealed he already had a good idea what was going on. Can you not ask for a few minutes?

Cheers all, I've taken from this;

a) Be honest and factual
b) Focus on my own achievements only

Damo, well spotted. Previously after I helped him (under the radar) he took the credit for my work, openly. Seeing as both of us do a similar job on different sides of the fence my Director has spotted the imbalance and therefore my additional effort, and there are several others complaining about said colleague. Both of us work in support roles.

So my Director is aware, and also aware of the importance of what "we" were working on while he was away, hence the request for a report - and he does ask for said colleagues contribution by name.

a) Be honest and factual
[s]b) Focus on my own achievements only[/s]

As has been said already - there's a fair chance your Director knows the score. What he now needs to see is where you stand on it and how honest you will be with him. You should be able to report honestly without being judgemental.

Damo, well spotted. Previously after I helped him (under the radar) he took the credit for my work, openly. Seeing as both of us do a similar job on different sides of the fence my Director has spotted the imbalance and therefore my additional effort, and there are several others complaining about said colleague. Both of us work in support roles.

So my Director is aware, and also aware of the importance of what "we" were working on while he was away, hence the request for a report - and he does ask for said colleagues contribution by name.

Cool, I'd give him what he wants then.

But as a final point I think its a bit weak of your Director to ask you if the situation and his awareness is as you state. He should be acting without relying on you to provide the smoking gun - knowing the trepidation his request will cause you (as evidenced above!).

I would hope he is not going to sit down the other guy and say "kryton said...."!

I believe this is one of those "damned if you do, damned if you don't" things isn't it?

I'm glad I'm self-employed...sometimes. 🙂

Go have a chat with him. Give him a verbal heads up and agree what should be in the report - ie factual.

Damo, the other guy doesn't work for him - different team but mutual interests.

The is an opening (redundant position) to go from Business Analyst to Businiess Manager. It's been kept quiet while the redundancy period wanes. I don't know, but this could be what it's about. (I have 6 years management experience prior to this role).

My response would be: 'Sure. Let's chat. When are you free?"

But that's mainly cos I'm a lawyer, so I wouldn't commit anything to writing. And I also loathe long emails (as does my boss).

I was always taught that the grass always gets cut.
Concentrate on yar own wark lad!

Sorry, can't offer any advice. I mis-read the title as "greasing up a work colleague". Could've helped with that.

+1 for the honesty route.

I had to do something similar recently. MD was asking for reports on various activities/accounts but was also dropping signals that 'this other person' was taking the credit. I know 'this other person' very well and although we get on, I saw this as something he was quite capable of doing. So I was honest and explained my role in said activities etc. There was no reason for me to do anything but tell the truth. ATEOTD I took the lead and played a far more central role in each projects' success. Turns out this bloke has since been fired for generally being a BSer. And my credibility has risen. Job done.

EDIT: I hasten to add that my 'report' did not lead to his firing. The MD merely wanted the truth and it turns out he believed me all along and not this other person. Perhaps he was throwing in a bit of a loyalty check curveball? Either way, this guy would have been out on 'arris sooner or later.

pussywillow - Member
I was always taught that the grass always gets cut.
Concentrate on yar own wark lad!

Most of the people who tried to teach me that were lazy gobsh*tes looking after their own easy life. Passing the interview does not equate to job for life regardless.

So long as your honest and have a nice written record of whats gone on you have nothing to fear.

Be honest, he's made a rod for his own back, no one to blame but himself (although I'm sure he won't see it that way) ........in other words, **** him

I have to deal with a prat at my work who does as little as he needs to so he can spend the rest of his time brown-nosing and generally trying to weasel his way up the ladder. Hopefully the day is not far off that he'll be found out and booted down the road or perhaps arse raped by a runaway rhino

or perhaps arse raped by a runaway rhino

To be fair I don't think this would qualify as 'grassing someone up'....

To me 'grassing' on somebody would be needlessly telling your boss if you found out a colleague had had an unrecorded extra days holiday or something like that.

If your Director has asked for you to report on a project and somebody was a weak link, well that's their fault and you're just doing the job you're paid for. For sure I would be constructive and as others have said I guess the message may well be what's not in the report, rather than what is.

Also edit to say I would always be tempted to be as positive as possible about people even if they were rubbish, but if he openly took credit for your work I wouldn't bother in this case and I wouldn't be losing any sleep over it either.

Why this fear of "grassing up"? You're just telling the truth and making the business better. Which is why you're there.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I wouldn't count this as 'grassing'. In any case what's wrong with 'grassing' if all you're doing is telling the truth about someone who's being dishonest? If you're telling the truth then anyone who pressures you to not 'grass' is being a bully IMO.

If I were the director and knew something was up, and asked you for a report and I got the feeling you were covering for this other guy, I'd wonder if I wanted you in the company too. No need to put yourself in the line of fire with misplaced loyalty.

Always worth asking yourself in these situations if this other guy would cover for you if you needed it. Doesn't sound like he would, so why do it for him?

If the director's a decent guy he'll respect you for your honesty and professionalism if you tell the truth...

I'd be honest*, but do it face to face - it seems everything he needs to know is already out there.

*This includes about how you feel about being asked in the first place.

Do you know the director at all (or are your HR bods OK)? If I felt comfortable with it I'd ask for an informal chat with the director first, or raise your concerns over it with HR (if you trust them) so you can at least get across the point that whilst you'll be truthful you're not comfortable with being put in the position to have to write the report.

Better done face to face if possible, with positive emphasis on your contribution to projects rather than leading off on your colleague's failings.

If asked a direct question, by all means answer it in a neutral fashion. The director will know what your colleague's role should have been.

My only concern would be my email being waved around as the 'evidence' for the dismissal of this colleague, which might get messy and affect future relationships with other colleagues who might not be aware of the full story. Even if you're not actually 'grassing', you want to avoid the perception that you are.

I think by now people on this forum know I hate grasses!

however in this situation your not grassing, your doing your job and replying to a request from him upstairs.

martinhutch - Member

My only concern would be my email being waved around as the 'evidence' for the dismissal of this colleague, which might get messy and affect future relationships with other colleagues who might not be aware of the full story. Even if you're not actually 'grassing', you want to avoid the perception that you are

No manager with any sort of management skills would ever play off staff members against themselves!

This seems to have worked well.

I emailed a summary of all the projects with status to date. He then replied "thanks, what about XXXX's involvement in all this?"

I then replied, "I only commented on my own involvement / the project's status, I didn't have anything else to comment on"

The boss replied "That tells me all I know to know 😉 well done"

*phew* I have a verbal sit down with him tomorrow when the words between the lines will no doubt be expored.

I then replied, "I only commented on my own involvement / the project's status, I didn't have anything else to comment on"

The boss replied "That tells me all I know to know well done"

Isn't that what I recommended?
Glad it turned out well. Good work.

so you did all the work here, wrecker ? 😕

That's a load off then!

Isn't that what I recommended?

Was in a similar situation a while back. A colleague and myself were designing the opposite ends of a real-time communication system and we were having problems getting it working.

The boss at the time offered us a bonus if we could get it working on time and for my part, I couldn't see any reason why it didn't work. In the end I had to look at the software my colleague had written (always a personal thing) and it was complete nonsense; I started 'his' bit all over again and it was working in a day or two.

We both got our bonuses and my colleague never said anything, not even a thank you. I think the boss knew what had happened but I never said anything.

Can I take credit as a result of my earlier post as well?

spacemonkey - Member
+1 for the honesty route.

I had to do something similar recently. [b]MD was asking for reports on various activities/accounts but was also dropping signals that 'this other person' was taking the credit.[/b] I know 'this other person' very well and although we get on, I saw this as something he was quite capable of doing. So [b]I was honest and explained my role in said activities etc. [/b]There was no reason for me to do anything but tell the truth. [b]ATEOTD I took the lead and played a far more central role in each projects' success. [/b][b][u]Turns out this bloke has since been fired for generally being a BSer. [/u][/b]And my credibility has risen. Job done.

😀

I have never relly been in a job that involves "office politics" but I think if I were you I would have spoken to the other guy first and said words to the effect of "I've been asked to write a report and you aren't going to come out looking very good" etc . After that nobody can accuse you of grassing or being a brown noser etc and you are at liberty to give it to the director straight .

so you did all the work here, wrecker ?