What can I do about a coworker that refuses to learn new things?

Question

I work in my department at work with one other person that can do almost everything I do. Except one thing.

We have incoming reports all day every day.

When she comes across a report that she doesn t know how to do, she openly says "Oh, I don t know how to do that," leaves it on my desk, and proceeds to walk away.

It tries my patience and at one point, I told her to just ask and I ll show her. She says she wouldn t understand.

I ve gone to the office manager upwards of five times about this. Most recently I was told to "Let it go."

It has gotten to a point where I just cannot ignore the pure obviousness of it and I am convinced she must have a learning deficiency.

This has been going on now for almost two years and I am sometimes frustrated to the point of tears and unnecessary anger.

Should I go to HR? Sometimes I am so swamped with my own work, I cannot get it all done because she refuses to learn it and points everyone in my direction after openly admitting she cannot do it. I am not the only one that has gone to the office manager about this woman, but somehow, she turns it around so the other person is the bad guy.

Her seniority seems to take precedence over frustrated and crying employees. I m not sure what to do anymore.

Answer 1

If the office manager told you to let it go, then complaining to HR would be career suicide. No doubt about it. If she won't do the reports she's unfamiliar with, make sure to delegate so she gets most everything else that passes through your department.

Answer 2

Don't let her walk way. Tell her take the form with her as you do not have the time to do her work. If she walks away anyway, at the end of the day take it back to her unfinished.

Answer 3

Well you screwed yourself because she dumps her work on you & she is getting the credit plus paycheck for you doing her work. This is one big mess & TRUTHFULLY it is not your concern. Just focus on your workload. Complete yours so you can always say that "my workload it finish". This is upper management headache to deal & not your concern

Answer 4

That is not your job it is up to management to deal with; not you!

Answer 5

Next time she does it simply insist she sits down and show her what to do. If she refuses then be assertive and tell your manager you are not prepared to continue doing part of her job unless you got a pay rise to cover the extra work.

Answer 6

You apparently have made too easy for her to leave the work with you. Simply refuse to take it and offer to show her how to do it herself. Don't let her problem become your problem.

Answer 7

I would not go to a HR about this, bring it up again to your manager. Even better, don't ask her permission to teach her how to do it. The next time she comes over with a report for you...walk it right back over to her desk and say very loudly, "in about 5 minutes, I can teach you to deal with this."



It will both embarrass her and she'll have trouble saying no...

Answer 8

If that work is assigned to her, don't let her dump it on you. Tell her you are too busy with your own workload to do her work for her. If she fouls up, good.



She simply does not want to do the work, and you've let her dump it on you for 2 years. Stop enabling her. It's likely just an excuse that she "doesn't know how" instead of admitting she doesn't want to do it.

Answer 9

Does your employer have a Human Resources Department? If so they are the next step. The woman is doing what she is doing because she is avoiding doing something that bores her not because she has a learning disability. Your manager shouldn't be in the position that they are in because a qualified manager would address the problem, not be telling you to" let it go".

Answer 10

If your office manager isn't willing to do anything, you have two choices: find a new job or put up with it.



Assuming that your work load including handling those reports is reasonable, just do them. It is your job. If you were told "Let go", your happiness in the company depends on being able to let it go. You are obviously not getting any support from the company.



Why don't you give her some of your reports that you know she can do for every one she gives you she can't do? Tell her with a smile, I gladly help you with that, but can you do me the favor of helping me with this one? That would even the workload if that is an issue. If she doesn't like it, tell her you only have time to do hers if she help you with yours.

Answer 11

Is it below your pay grade if so move on and if not speak to her.

Answer 12

When did you start here? I'm shocked at the fact professional people refuse to learn. Sometimes things as basic as excel. Why wouldn't you want to learn? It makes no sense to stagnate.

Answer 13

Ask for a raise and add the report to your job description exclusively.



Dump your easy work on the coworker.

Answer 14

Walk past her desk, and drop it back on there, and say, "You just dropped this on my desk," and then proceed to walk away.

Answer 15

show her how to do it, she was hired for that task, if she refuses to do it, leave the work on her desk and let it pile up, she will answer to the manager for not performing the task she was hired for, there's no point in doubling your workload

Answer 16

Continue to complain, to your boss.

Answer 17

just show her how to do it is she needs to learn. Better yet if they're learn tutorial or brochures that tells her how to do the job, give it to her. Maybe she'll take it home and study how to do it. I wouldn't keep complaining and let nobody continue to take my joy at work.

Maybe you're approaching her in a negative manner, practice positive communication skill when communication with employee and she may offer to let you show her. So try hey____________, you're doing a great job and I appreciate you being a team player. If you a have a second, i would like to show you something. I can guarantee that employee will walk right over to your work area. Then you show her how to do it, and be like let's see you try and do it, that way you'll be able to train others also how to do the job.



Can you see how much better this approach sounds, u let her know she's valued and needed at work with her assistance and yours as a team. Everything should go well from there. Gd luck!!

Answer 18

just give her back the papers and tell her you cant do them either

Answer 19

So go over to her, pull up a chair, sit down and say 'you're being trained in this today, here--' and train her.



If she doesn't listen, leave the paperwork on her desk, you don't have to do her work as well as your own.

Answer 20

"I am so swamped with my own work"

- she thinks this is your work

- everyone in the company comes to you for this

- you were taught this and she wasn't

- your supervisor has told you to "let it go".



This is part of your "own work".

If you don't have enough time to do your work, discuss that situation with your supervisor, but stop harping on this specific task.



"she refuses to learn it and points everyone in my direction after openly admitting she cannot do it." "I am convinced she must have a learning deficiency."

- I don't know her but if she is able to do the rest of the job, I would surmise she doesn't want to do this task, just like you don't. And these are the words she uses for you to do it.

Answer 21

I would not go to HR over it. Let it go.

Answer 22

Keep in mind you've already gone to the office manager.. It's never a good idea to go above your boss.

Answer 23

Put the work back on her desk or go to HR and demand a pay rise for doing it.

Answer 24

I would definitely take it higher, if there is an explanation as to why she is unable to do this then fair enough but you should be made aware. Try not to come across like a dick just say you've got a lot of work and it would be a big help if she could assist you! if not then maybe they need to employee someone else to help!