Tag Archives: coworker

When Your Co-worker Becomes Your Boss

coworker_becomes_boss_webConsider this – one day, you and your co-worker are sitting side by side, working on projects and getting along as peers. The next day, that co-worker gets promoted and is now your boss. How do you switch gears from being peers with someone to working for them?

When a co-worker becomes your boss, the relationship changes. To help you navigate this change, here are five tips to consider when your workplace roles shift.

  1. Realize that things are going to change.

Though you and your co-worker may have grabbed lunch on a regular basis or spent your free time together, this may not happen as often now. It’s best to keep a professional distance, especially at the beginning of the transition. You can still be supportive and friendly, but the boundaries for that friendship have now changed.

  1. Don’t take it personally.

You may feel resentment that your friend is now telling you what to do and evaluating your work performance. This resentment may be even stronger if both of you were in the running for the promotion. It’s important not to make your new boss suffer because you are feeling negative. If you can’t get past it, consider asking for a job transfer or think about moving on.

  1. Don’t expect special treatment.

While you two may have been buddies as co-workers, you will overstep your bounds if you expect special treatment from your new boss. Though you can remain friends, it’s important that you work just as hard for your new boss as you did for your old boss. Otherwise, you put your supervisor in a tough position that could cause resentment and a destruction of the friendship.

  1. Consider changing social media.

You should always be careful with what you put on your social media accounts. It’s best to stay professional and avoid posting things you’ll regret later. But, let’s face it. There may be things you don’t want your boss to see. If you’re uncomfortable sharing your life outside of work with your new supervisor, consider changing your social media settings to limit what can be seen.

  1. Don’t stress out if things feel uncomfortable.

Both of you will go through a transition phase that may feel awkward at first. Roll with the changes and help the process by supporting your new boss. An honest conversation about how things will need to change and that you are there to support them can help make the transition easier.

Change is never easy, and it’s especially hard when a former friend is now in charge of evaluating and coaching your career. Eventually though, you both will settle into your new roles and your old friendship can begin again.

Have you ever had a co-worker become your boss? How did you handle that change? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Ask a Recruiter: How to Build a List of References

ask_a_recruiterNavigating the job search, acing interviews, and creating resumes can be challenging. We know there’s a lot to learn about these processes, and we want to help you by answering your questions. Our very own industry experts at Express Employment Professionals are posting their recruitment and hiring answers right here on the Movin’ On Up blog.

Question:
In the second installment of our new series, “Ask a Recruiter,” we’re excited to feature a question from Movin’ On Up reader Anthony.

Anthony asks, “What do you do if you were terminated from a job and when you ask for a reference, the manager says they can’t give you a reference, only a phone number to call for verification of employment?”

Answer:
In an ideal situation, your previous employer would provide your potential employer with all the details needed for you to land your next dream job. However, most companies don’t offer specific details about previous employees – regardless of whether you left the company after termination, down-sizing, or by choice.

Employers do this to protect both their company and you. If an employer is called to provide information about a previous employee, they must be careful to provide factual and well-documented information. To avoid claims of defamation and to restrict giving out any confidential or protected information, many companies have strict policies in place about providing references for past employees. Some companies will only share basic information, like the length of employment or positions held.

Keep in mind that when an inquiry call is made about a previous employee, some companies send these calls straight to the Human Resources department. From there, only your dates of employment along with other small details are released.

I’m betting your previous manager doesn’t have a choice but to direct people to HR to handle referrals. Instead of listing your manager as a reference, I would consider asking a previous co-worker to be a referral. If you worked together at the same company, they can talk about your work ethic and what it was like to work alongside you.

Since the information shared from company to company varies, it’s generally unknown what a potential employer may be able to learn through a reference. Play it safe by choosing references who can easily speak about your experience and skills as they relate to your job performance. These people may include previous teachers, co-workers, or mentors. And remember to ask for permission from anyone you list as a reference so they are prepared for calls from your potential employers.

Thanks for asking, Anthony! And thank you to Blake Whisenant from Express for providing the answer!

Do you have a question about the job search, hiring, or recruiting process? Now’s your chance to have your question answered by industry professionals who find, interview, and hire people every day. Ask your question in the comments section below and check back soon to read what our experts have to say!

Check out previous installments in the “Ask a Recruiter” series:

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Complain About a Co-Worker Without Being a Tattletale

Don't Be An Office TattletaleEverybody has that one person in mind. It feels like there’s almost always that one employee who never comes to work on time, eats their smelly food at their desk , or tends to make offhanded remarks while at work. While you should always strive to build strong working relationships with your fellow co-workers, sometimes those workplace relationships can’t grow without resolving the inevitable conflicts that arise when working with other people.

While complaining at every turn may not be the best way for you to resolve the situation, there are several things you can do to ease the tension without gaining the reputation of being the workplace crier. Here are some ways you can let your co-worker know how annoying they are without getting them in trouble or you looking like a squealer.

Make it Better Before it Gets Worse
More often than not, problems or issues that are ignored and unaddressed can build up until they explode into a less than professional situation for you. It’s far better to address the difficult person while maintaining some objectivity and emotional control. Take the time to understand why you feel this way and how your co-worker’s behavior can affect productivity.

If you don’t handle it on your own and go straight to management with your issues, it can tarnish your image of being promotable. Managers will wonder why you’re not able to resolve the issue, which will make them wonder if you have the ability and understanding to lead and make difficult decisions for the company.

Go Mano-a-Mano
One of the easiest ways to resolve an issue with a co-worker is to be a friend. After all, you are trying to look out for your employer and your co-worker’s best interest. Pull your co-worker aside and mention that they’re breaking a rule. If a colleague is using foul language in the workplace, tell them that their manager is bound to hear it at some point. This kind of method helps you communicate a minor complaint without putting the spotlight on yourself.

Sometimes you have to be direct, but with a pleasant and agreeable attitude when talking to your co-worker. Try discussing how their actions make you feel.  If a co-worker keeps coming in late, explain why you have to put off your lunch breaks to cover for them. Unfortunately, some difficult people just don’t care. During the discussion, try to reach an agreement about positive and supportive actions going forward. Then, make sure to follow up with the co-worker to see if any progress has been made.

When in Doubt, Reach Out
If you’ve done all you can on your own, it might be time to call for some help. Consider rallying other employees who might also have an issue with the annoying co-worker. But be careful with this approach.  Other employees might not have put the same tact and effort into their confrontation with the co-worker. Sometimes, a group approach can make your manager think that the impact of the behavior is wider and deeper than originally determined. Be careful with this approach, however. Know what works with your boss.

If you have to go to a manager, try going to the co-workers direct supervisor so the situation won’t escalate too far. If you do go to upper management, make sure your complaints are valid and it is a serious enough offense that disciplinary action should be taken. When talking to the manager, make sure you include a good amount of praise for the co-worker. Explain how you tried to work things out, but it didn’t get anywhere.

Make it Productive
Before talking to management about the situation, figure out if there are any flaws or areas of improvement in your employer’s policy and procedures. Maybe better training or scheduling is needed to avoid situations. Focusing on the root of the problem and offering ideas to fix the situation can make a great impression on your boss and is more effective than complaining. It turns you from a whiner into a problem solver. No boss on the planet is going to be upset when you go to them with a solution.

Sometimes it can be difficult to address conflicts in the workplace, but they don’t have to be as dreadful if you keep a positive attitude and put the focus on improving the situation and not on your complaints. What are some ways you have dealt with annoying co-workers? Let us know in the comments below.