Work Frenemies

In Bad Teacher Carmen's Diaz's character has a co-worker who does
whatever she can do sabotage her job. Diaz's character was doing
shady things, but her colleague handled their work relationship badly.
(via IF Movies)

No matter how awesome your weekend was, her story always tops yours. She kindly points out when you're even two minutes late for work. She lectures you on proper work etiquette if you wear a sleeveless dress. And if you make a typo, she points it out—at the staff meeting, of course.


This is your work frenemy. She's been placed at your office to make your life, and the lives of countless other women, a living hell. Even if she's been with the company longer than you and has a higher position, your youth is enough of a threat for her to go out of the way to make you look bad. But she always masks her evil ways with a smile so you'd look like a complete jerk if the you told her exactly where she could shove her notes on your latest presentation.


I had a workplace frenemy once, looking over my shoulder for any small mistake. In between her comments about the errors I made, she was really nice and we got along well. I just couldn't trust her not to throw me under the bus whenever I made a simple mistake. Thankfully, she moved away a few months after I started and I was able to work in peace.


Not everyone can be so lucky. I read an article that suggests talking to your work frenemy outside of the office and asking them to consult you about problems they have with your performance or anything else before they broadcast it to the office. Whatever your job is, the main goal is to use your skills to benefit the company. Unhappy employees don't benefit anyone.


How would you deal with your frenemy?