Deadbeat co-worker in dysfunctional workplace (HELP!)

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I have an issue with a fellow employee at work that I need help dealing with. I work in a in a lumberyard warehouse loading and unloading trucks. A fellow employee is charged with the responsibility of building special order doors and windows, as well as unpalletising and putting up general order (Stock) doors.

In October, I asked him to build several doors for a shipment that I was loading on a truck. He answered affirmatively, and then promptly went home without building them.

In October, we also returned a bunch of broken doors from a worksite. The normal course of action is that he catalogs what was returned, and either repairs damaged units, or bins them. It is now almost March, and I have two racks of broken doors that still get in my way.

Also, I have been depalletising and stacking stock doors for him, because he is too lazy to do so himself. --I have no idea of why he is sill employed, though I know that he spends a lot of time in the front office with the salespeople, and the store manager doesn't seem to mind.

Furthermore, (although this really isn't a concern to me) he was given a lead time of 30 days to produce windows with custom jambs for an order. He didn't do this, and the person he inherited the job from wound up doing the job instead.

I would really have no issue with this guy, as well as doing his job, if it wasn't for the fact that about two weeks ago, I overheard him referring to me as 'wierd' and 'crazy' to a newly hired employee.

I may be 'wierd', but at least I have the focus and drive to accomplish my job, as well as half of his job. If working hard is wierd to him then so be it, I'm wierd.

Furthermore the store management has proven itself to be unwilling to act upon issues in the back. The warehouse manager for some reason finds the situation tolerable because his work is being done, even though he's not the one doing any of it.


The question posed, is how do I deal with this person on a day to day basis even though I do a good part of his job, and he badmouths me? Furthermore, how would I go about making it apparent that he doesn't do his job, and therefore needs to be let go?

How badly do you need this job? If you can put up with the put-downs, and with doing his job as well as yours, then I guess you're OK. What you can't do, however, is say anything about how he needs to go, or that he's not doing his job. About the best that you can do in a case like this, is to stop doing any of his work. But before you do that, make sure that you don't want the job, because it's likely that once you "start making trouble," you'll be let go. (Voice of experience, here)

Yeah, I'm aware of the repercussions. The store is going through a slow period due to salesman not only being to lazy to find new business, but als through their mismanagement of accounts. Our competition on the other hand is scooping up accounts that we've lost, and are doing well. We have lost the regional account of one of the top US homebuilders because of their bungling. It seems as if the store manager is finding excuses to get rid of employees that produce, whilst retaining employees that don't produce. --It's generally NOT a good situation.

I'm almost at the point of looking for another job, but not quite yet. --I need to save up some cash before I quit.

Could you work for the competitor? You've got the experience, and it sounds as if they're expanding...

Pardon my temporary "empathy"(how NT of me)but I can so relate and my heart goes out to you because I was in the same situation for about 4 years.I felt like I was going insane....so I saved up the money(good plan)and found a new job this month.It sucks to be starting over some where but I already feel like a weight has been lifted off me.

As far as your co(lack of)worker....there isnt much you can do.You can already tell that the business itself is being run by morons and logic is ineffective in this situation(morons have a built in shield against logic bullets....most infuriating).If the job requirements(who is responsible for what)are written down some where,you can disregard doing the co-workers work and see if anyone notices.At my job,people who were lazy but good at "smoozing" could get away with doing nothing because there was 1 job list for two people,they didnt care if one person(who they liked)didnt do anything as long as the work was getting done......It wasnt a job were I could ,not do the work,because I was working for disabled people.They had to be fed,briefs changed,supplies stocked......so I did it while the coworker sat on the couch chatting on their cell phone or distracting me with their "pity stories" about how they were soooo tired,didnt feel well and thats why they couldnt get off the couch.

I feel badly for the clients that are stuck in the house I left, but all my moaning to the manager did nothing except make them mad at me......it's called "shooting the messenger".Save up your money and get the heck out.

Pardon my temporary "empathy"(how NT of me)but I can so relate and my heart goes out to you because I was in the same situation for about 4 years.I felt like I was going insane....so I saved up the money(good plan)and found a new job this month.It sucks to be starting over some where but I already feel like a weight has been lifted off me.

As far as your co(lack of)worker....there isnt much you can do.You can already tell that the business itself is being run by morons and logic is ineffective in this situation(morons have a built in shield against logic bullets....most infuriating).If the job requirements(who is responsible for what)are written down some where,you can disregard doing the co-workers work and see if anyone notices.At my job,people who were lazy but good at "smoozing" could get away with doing nothing because there was 1 job list for two people,they didnt care if one person(who they liked)didnt do anything as long as the work was getting done......It wasnt a job were I could ,not do the work,because I was working for disabled people.They had to be fed,briefs changed,supplies stocked......so I did it while the coworker sat on the couch chatting on their cell phone or distracting me with their "pity stories" about how they were soooo tired,didnt feel well and thats why they couldnt get off the couch.

I feel badly for the clients that are stuck in the house I left, but all my moaning to the manager did nothing except make them mad at me......it's called "shooting the messenger".Save up your money and get the heck out.

I have found myself is similar positions in the building trades and found most companies just plain suck. I was lucky most of the time because I was one of the biggest produces and competent people they had. I was always cleaning up and fixing other peoples mistakes it was sickening some of the people they kept and the people they let go. When I got into a position where it was practical I quit and went on my own taking several accounts with me. For you that is not feasible I suggest you start looking wait until you find something better of at least less stressful for you and quit. Places like this never seem to change.