Help! My co-worker is nosy, gossips and takes credit for other people’s work

Hi Rosie,

I have a nosy co-worker who really has gone too far. She’s nosy, spreads gossip about everyone, eats your lunch and shoves her work off on others, yet she will take the credit for it! Once my boss asked me to speak candidly about what was going on in the office and he brought her up by name. I hesitated, because I didn’t want to have to lay it out to him and then it may have sounded like I was being petty. What should I do, I’ve about had it with her and her intrusive ways.

Done

Dear Done,

This to me is simple, it sounds like you should be taking her to Human Resourses (HR). I think there seems to be a few unaddressed issues here.

Truthfully, we shouldn’t have this level of unprofessional and unethical behaviour at work – but in the real world we do, so we must address it when it comes up.

Speaking to HR in confidence can alert them to the fact that your co-worker should be monitored. I know it may feel like snitching, but based on what you’ve stated about her behaviour, it seems necessary. Please do not gossip and start rumours, I’m sure there are codes of conduct that are set out for you to follow. So please research them and pursue your complaints accordingly.

I wish you the best, my friend, she sounds like a lot to deal with on a daily basis.

Rosie