Need to vent about incompetent people at work!

[dr.mel_PT]

This woman at my job drives me insane and it makes me so angry that she makes almost double the salary that I do!

I am a marketing analyst so it is my job to provide financial figures, mkt opportunity info, graphs, etc to our "Director of New Business" (I put her title in quotes because she has neglected to bring in any new business in the past year & 1/2. Plus she is one of the laziest people I've ever worked with; rather than make new contacts, she rides on her insane commissions from clients brought in from previous years...as long as these clients stay on board with us and make a profit, she makes a % off that...but I digress). All this woman does is take my analytics and plug it into a pretty little power point and present SOME of the info to clients. And from what I hear, she has no clue what she's talking about during these meetings.

So she scheduled a presentation for Mon Aug 3. She received the data we needed on July 14. When did she send it to me for analysis? July 21, with an email that it was URGENTLY due that Fri (mind you, it usually takes a minimum of 3 days for me to do all the reporting and I have communicated this many MANY times to her in the past. Why did it take her a week to send it to me?). As I'm looking at the data, I notice a lot of the info is off so I brought it to her attention and she tells me it's "no big deal" and to do the analysis anyway. So I work to get it done by Fri, turn it in and what happens?! Yesterday she turns it in to her boss and lo and behold, it looks funky because we have the WRONG data!!!!! Exactly what I told her A WEEK AGO!!! Not to mention the fact that why didn't she look this over to make sure we had the right stuff BEFORE she sent it to me for analysis?! This is a recurring theme with her. I've brought this up in meetings before and nothing has transpired; it continues to be rush rush rush then do this over a billion times. Also, she has been in the industry 9 years while I've been for 3 and I know more than her which isn't saying much.

How do people like this remain employed while others get laid off who are WORTHY of their jobs?! What really gets me is she can talk her way out of anything, so she is quick to throw people under a bus if she has to and all the high-ups loooooooove her; they think she is such a shining star. I can't stand it and I wish I understood how someone with LIMITED knowledge/drive/common sense has such a high position.

Sorry, I really needed to vent.

 

[backer65]

Melissa,

First, my condolences. I've worked with similar people and it gain get underyour skin to be sure.

In my experience, it is most beneficial for you to focus on doing your job well. The good news is that you've got her number, so perhaps you can use that knowledge to assist you in 'managing' her. Keep in mind there are going to be many things that you can't control, but what you can control (your level of work quality and professionalism) you definitely should. In the past, I used to document sources of information on my output to cover myself. Example, if she gave you the data, can you make note of that in the documents and/or emails you send her. The goal is simply to be sure that you have a paper trail in the event she thows you under the bus.

It certainly isn't pleasant, but if you let it get to you too much, it ruins the quality of your life and you are giving way to much control to this person. Her making more money is probably a bummer, but I suspect you will move up in your career and as you do you will earn more. Don't get hung up on this too much, are you doing what you like, are you on the career trajectory you want, if so, great, be happy about it. If not, then decide what you need to do to get on track, make a plan and do it.

You sound intelligent and I'm sure you'll weather this situation and be better for it in the future. However, when you are living it I'm sure it doesn't feel good at all.

All the best,

Michele

 

[bigbadbrandini]

I agree with Michele. I hope you don't let her get you down too much. Hang in there!

 

[dr.mel_PT]

update...the data is still not here and while the office has summer fri's and officially closes at 1, i am still here at 3pm ALONE, waiting for this supposed data to come in. i literally have nothing to do but sit here and wait since all my work is done. i asked the boss if i could work on it at home and she said no (why, i havent a clue).

mind you, because we took 3 paycuts i had to take on a 2nd job. i was supposed to work that job this afternoon. 12 pm today, i get the email from the big boss that i have to "sit tight" and play the waiting game for this new dataset. seriously, wtf?! i told her about my 2nd job and she said who cares, this one comes 1st. ok really?!

i am at my wits end and i dont know what to do. and because the director of new business is the golden child, nothing she does is wrong meanwhile this is totally her fault due to her lazy work ethic!!!!!!! im tired of being treated like crap at this place and expected to bend over backwards ALL THE TIME, when no one else does the same!!!!!!