The New York Times writer and columnist, KATY LEDERER responds to her readers’ questions in a Q and A.
Q: I do not get along with one of my colleagues. We do not talk unless it’s work-related. I have tried to be friendly, but after a few years
of working with him, the relationship is non-existent.
Recently, I saw that he is a frequent viewer of my social media posts. However, he does not follow me, which means he takes the time
out of his day to search for my account.
This bothers me because if he can’t at least say hi, then why take an interest in my personal life? I do not want to make my account private
simply because of him, as I’ve found a lot of value in keeping it public.
This morning, we passed each other in the hallway again, but without saying a word, his gaze turned away from me although I smiled and
acknowledged his presence.
I really feel like saying something to him about his after-work lurking. Should I?
A: Don’t make your account private simply because of him. Make your account private simply because of yourself. Better yet, just delete the
app from all of your devices.
If you think your creepy colleague is bad, think about Mark Zuckerberg. Now there’s a corporate backstabber who surveils everybody’s
everything in an icky, lurky sort of way.
In fact, he not only surveils everybody’s everything, but he monetises the ability of total spies like Cambridge Analytica to surveil
everybody’s everything.
It’s understandable for you to be focused on the actual, real-life creepazoid you pass in the hallway every day. But consider the
possibility that less identifiable corporate climbers and glad-handers also pose a threat.
Your “friends” on social media could at any moment mob you and destroy your life forever or an app could track you even while you
sleep.
The advice to “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” has come down through the ages to us blockheads for a reason. In the
case of your co-worker, if you feel unsafe, you should of course inform HR immediately.
Otherwise, I suggest you propose a work lunch and try one more time to establish a superficial relationship with this person.
But before you do any of that: Get off social media. But if you choose to stay on, remember that you’re always being watched.
Q: A few months ago, I started a new job at a small company, with a leadership role. I feel I am making a lot of positive changes and
contributions to the operation and culture of the company, and generally like my co-workers and many aspects of the culture.
However, I’ve been blindsided by a major issue. It’s been abundantly clear since my first week that one of the two heads of the firm is an
alcoholic.
He has displayed inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, and regularly drinks heavily at work, even drinking steadily through
presentations and job interviews.
As someone senior, but not an owner, in the company, I’m unsure of how to handle it. There is of course no supervisor to report his
behaviour to and his co-head is dealing with a long-term personal issue that makes approaching him inappropriate.
I’ve seen a lot of addiction in family and friends, and I know that this is an issue that won’t be resolved until he himself recognises the issue
and decides to change.
I’m also loath to re-enter the job market. I’d like to help right the ship as much as possible until at least one, or both, of the CEOs can get
back to more stable footing.
A: The definition of co-dependency is excessive reliance on others, particularly those who require a lot of support, for a sense of
approval and identity. You are investing far too much in the people and the culture of this job.
Step back and ask yourself is this job good for you? Will it look good on your CV? Are you making a good salary? Are you gaining
valuable experience?
Once the answer to any of these questions is “no,” start looking for another job, even if the market is a special kind of hell.
Emotional distress is also worth considering, but you can reduce it in this case by actively stepping back. As you wisely intuit, you’re not
going to fix anything at all.
As for coping directly with a boss who is an alcoholic, I suggest keeping a journal documenting interactions that you have with him. It’s
never a bad idea to cover your behind for when the lawsuits start to fly.
Q: I had an assistant several years ago who worked out fine until she quit and then sued for overtime or some other non-existent claim.
It settled with no money changing hands.
This week, I ran into her husband on a flight and he was extra friendly, wanted to talk, etc.
I know he helped her on that bogus claim and I just didn’t feel like being friendly to him. It was an awkward situation in a public setting.
Was I correct to blow him off?
A: It’s always better to be friendly than unfriendly. I don’t know if you know this, but smiling is actually an animal behaviour that signals
non-aggression. To smile is to signal: “I don’t intend to hurt you.”
The thing about smiling and signalling non-aggression is that when it’s time to stab a person in the back, you will catch them completely
off guard.
If you have no intention of stabbing them in the back, well, they will think that you are really nice.
Either way, there is an upside. You could even call it a win-win.
Q: What do you do when a co-worker takes credit for one of your ideas?
A: Never ever tell this co-worker one of your ideas again.
Don’t bother trying to reclaim the credit. You’ll just look spiteful. Move on with another idea, and keep your eye out for a good
opportunity to get even.
This article was first published in The New York Times
