So what do you do when someone else takes credit for your work?

[XemaSab]

So I've got the "supervisor" Angie and the "boss" Doug.

Doug is Angie's boss, so he's pretty remote from what I do.

Twice now in a meeting Angie has tried to take credit for something I've done.

The first time I wrote something and she sort of helped, and when we got to the meeting she flipped it around, like she had written it and I had helped.

Yesterday I edited something and I caught a pretty big error in the document, and in front of Doug she said she had caught the mistake!

Now both of these things are not that big a deal alone, but I'm starting to smell a pattern, so if she tries this shit again, what should I do?

Anyone deal with anything similar? :shrug:

[mdmc]

1. I do pretty bad work

so it would usually bite em in the ass.

I have had many good ideas stolen. The only good part about it is that eventually, the thief needs help cause they don't know what they are doing.

instant karma. Hang in there.

[XemaSab]

2. The first time I was like

well, the document sucks, so if she wants to take credit for a shitty document, screw her.

She's goofing up across the board, and I would be very surprised if she is there for much longer. But at the same time, I want the work I'm doing to be noticed by people in management in a good way. :shrug:

[mdmc]

4. perhaps you should continue to grind it out behind the scenes

then, when her shiite catches up to her, and they let her go, you can kinda say, "Yo Doug, I didn't wanna say anything, but I actually did this and that."

If your in it for the long haul, and the company is stable, your work will be noticed. <-Is this stuff all there?

[XemaSab]

6. That sounds like a pretty good plan

Only I was sorta thinking that maybe when the shit starts hitting the fan I could just throw a little more in there.

Because I am evil like that. :D

[mdmc]

18. old school

:toast:
hang in there...

[bridgit]

3. oh honey welcome to real life, you need imo to lock your shit into...

real time too with time & date stamped back-up files, some will think you're a snippy ego driven paranoid delusional but they can piss up a rope to; your intellectual property is your own and if you care about it, then you need to protect it from time to time :thumbsup:

as for Angie, well, please don't get me going but you have the inside track cause she's already jumped, twice! so you know she's froggy, i'd be dancing circles round her if i could

:rofl:

[ThomCat]

5. Honestly, nothing.

He's probably well aware of what she really does and how well or how poorly she does it. If he's aware that she's bragging about work you did he's going to have a low opinion of her.

Also, even if she takes the credit, everyone on a team gets the credit in the boss's mind when things go well.

And, things get hostile when everyone has to defend what they've done. As long as your job isn't stagnating, there's no need to risk it.

But, with all of that said, I'd still start finding ways to casually mention your work and accomplishments. The more you speak up about what you are doing the less likely it is she will have the chutzpah to keep taking the credit.

[Nicole]

7. Like this

In front of Doug you say to Angie "You're kidding! What are the odds of that happening twice?" Then you turn to Doug & say "I caught that same exact error & now Angie has caught another one just like it! Isn't that strange?"

[ghostsofgiants]

8. Break their kneecaps?

[bridgit]

9. pop their tires...

:headbang:

[The Straight Story]

10. As someone who is a manager, let me give you this advice

One, You could talk directly to her boss - but be slick about it, take him our for some beers near his birthday, etc.

Two, set her up :) Tell her you found some major issues, let her steal em, and then point out in a meeting how wrong she is...

Three - Don't tell her then blurt out in a meeting what you have found, as though you just figured it out. And keep doing that (not sure if this will work in your situation).

All that said let me make this remark: My boss usually gives credit where it is due, but not always. I do know though that he sees my skills and if he were to move up I know he would take me with him because I make him look good (except of late as I am off work to care for my wife, so have not done a lot to help out). You might even mention to her 'I will do what I can to make you look good and perform, if you are willing to take me along for the ride' - and that, sadly, is politics.

[William Bloode]

11. Why not call her on it?

I would, it's the only way for me. But then again i like confrontaion. If you don't i suggest what another poster said, sabatoge her with bad work!

Good luck at any rate.

[XemaSab]

12. Publicly or privately?

And what wording should I use? :shrug:

[billyskank]

15. I think I would go with

You have insulted my honour! Prepare to do battle!

But that's just me. :D

[William Bloode]

16. Privately i would say at first.

My wording would go along the lines of this.>

Hey Ms Generic Name, i'd like to have a word with you for a second. I want you to know i am fully aware of what you are doing, attempting to take credit for my work. I would like you to know i find it to be a very disagreeable situation. I wanted to make you aware of this as i wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt that you may not be purposely doing it(her chance at a gracious out), and thought i'd take this moment to address the situation. I just wanted you to be aware that i am aware, and that if this continues you need to know i will do whatever it takes to make this stop.

Forceful but fair. Gotta give them an attempt somewhere in there to be gracious and give them a chance to improve their actions for themselves.

Honestly i would not be so nice myself. I have some anger issues, as well as enjoying confrontational situations.

My personal on the spot would probably sound like this.>>

Who the fuck do you think you are taking credit for my ideas? Goddamn this shits gonna fuckin' stop, or i'm gonna come down on you like a ton a bricks.

I would not advise being so abrasive though. Theres a reason i sucked at holding a public job.
:blush:

Good luck on the path you choose.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

19. I'm like you.

Tact means different things to different people.
Is it tactful to beat around the bush? not as I see it.
I don't play nice at work when people f with me.

I would probably wind up emailing her my concerns and bcc'ing my bosses. That's how I roll. With email there is a level of control, as well as the willingness to put things in writing.

[RedStateShame]

13. Pass gas in front of Angie and Doug, and blame it on Angie.

[electron_blue]

14. for something minor like catching an error in the document, let it go.

If you wrote the document and she claimed she wrote it, set the record straight. And of course, put your name on anything you author. This happens a lot. I have learned to correct the important stuff and let the others slide. I've found that if I want 'credit' for the minor stuff, I have to pretty much sing it from the rooftops to be heard. Stinks, but I have other bigger battles to fight.

Chances are that 'angie' is like this with other people and they will figure it out on their own.

[philosophie_en_rose]

17. Communicate what you do.

Angie is sending you a message, when she does that in front of Doug. She's telling you that she disrespects you and expects you to take it. That's not good.

You should try not to get caught up in her games.

I would suggest writing memos or emails to her, when you catch something big. Basically, a friendly FYI, so she knows what you've done. That way, if it comes up, you have a record of what you did. You also are sure that you're on the same page about your assignments. And, if anyone ever looks into what she's done, they might notice.

Basically, I wouldn't confront her about this issue, because she's already decided to treat you that way. I doubt she'd take it well, if you confronted her. However, you can help yourself in the future by creating a record of your work product.