I am very annoyed by a cow-irker.

[bertha katzenengel]

S/he doesn't keep me informed of what's going on on his/her own level of things, treats me like dirt or as if I'm not there, doesn't recognize your authority (not over him/her but as someone involved in everything) . . . and dresses poorly (nowhere near company standards), B.O. sometimes, rotten attitude.

I work with this type of person. How would you deal with this person? Every time I have to talk to him/her, I am answered brusquely, and frequently treated as if I ought to know everything that's going on, even when I tell him/her I'm haven't been informed and haven't been copied on relevant emails.

It's not affecting my work yet. I'm just irritated, and at a loss for how to respond. It's not a matter of going to the person's superior. It's not that bad.

Yes. I'm just irritated, and at a loss for how to respond.

:banghead:

[raccoon]

1. One thing I can tell you is document all these things.

Keep the documentation at home. NEVER leave it at your workplace. Never let anyone know you're doing this, until you need to use it.

Make sure you communicate with her by emails, to document that you did so-and-so (work-related stuff), to be sure to leave a trail. Keep copies of these emails at home.

If he's that way with everybody, it might be just him. I'd be just civil and polite to him, but not friendly.

One thing I do sometimes is say to myself, "That is her stuff. It has nothing to do with me."

You might try to approach him to see if he has a beef with you personally. However, that doesn't always work. I tried that with somebody once and she assured me, Oh, there was nothing personal. But I found out later that she lied.

[wildhorses]

2. that smell could be an indication of something medically going

on...lots of medical issues produce a 'foul' smell...

sorry, you are having a problem with a co-worker

:hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

3. Remind yourself that s/he is probably an unhappy, miserable SOB

and you're not. It's the way I dealt with coworkers like that. Somehow that made it easier for me to ignore the attitude and other issues and focus just on the core work issues.

Oh and following all the CYA advice here from other posters just in case her/his attitude and lack of information could be used against you.

[MissMillie]

4. I wouldn't be irritated by how s/he dresses

unless you're getting treated to a burlesque show every time you come into work.

Could you let him/her know that you're often kept out of the loop and that you could be better informed if s/he copied you on relevant emails. (S/he may feel it's not up to her/him (is there some reason why you didn't specify he or she? this is awkward to type...) but you could point out that someone else is dropping the ball and causing your lack of information, and that your lack of information may affect the whole department...)

I'm not sure you can do anything about the rotten attitude or the B.O. The attitude might improve if you try killing with kindness, but then again, it may not.

Be careful about saying anything about the B.O. From what I understand, a comment may get you into some seriously hot water--including a law suit.

[Squatch]

5. What the hell is a cow-irker?

[skygazer]

6. I thought you meant someone who deliberately annoyed cows

:rofl:

[EstimatedProphet]

7. So did I!

I'm picturing all these cows standing in a field somewhere in a huff. Maybe stomping thier hooves.

[eppur_se_muova]

8. Is that anything like a hen-teaser? nt