A coworker I don't like is slammed with work and might get fired. Should I help him or let him burn?

Ah, how tempting to let them fail! But if you are able to help out, you could make yourself look very, very valuable. Maybe it would be a good idea to approach your supervisor and say "so-and-so seems overwhelmed.

I could help by doing such-and-such task, because I think I can work it in without interrupting my other projects. Would it be okay if I stepped in? " I think that would a) ensure that your boss knows you're a team player and a problem solver and b) back you up in case your coworker's project tanks.

That way, your coworker can't whine that you volunteered to help, and so it's also your fault. Your boss will know that you only volunteered to help with a certain aspect, and that yes, your part did get done. Document the steps you take, and do a quality job.

I think this is a better plan than sitting and watching them burn because maybe they were given so much work because the boss has great faith in them. Maybe it's you that is on the chopping block (usually, before a lay-off, tasks are gradually taken away from that person). By stepping up, you could be saving your job.

Good luck!

Perhaps the adage "Treat others as you would like to be treated" might help you decide the best course of action. Unless you have the ability to lead a conscience free existence (some rudely refer to that ability as 'sociopathic'), you may find you sleep better at night if you do the right thing and help them out. But, it is not inappropriate at all to document your efforts either via email conversations or keeping copies of your work and time spent for accurate cost analysis.

You might also consider whether or not this person would do the same for you. Business relationships are built on favors. You never know if this person might be in a position to hinder you one day and remember what you did on this occasion.

And by keeping accurate records you will be able to prove your position in the event that once their job is saved they forget all about you and attempt to climb the ladder of success by stepping on your back to get there. It is worth noting that you need to make sure your own productivity isn't compromised in the process of helping another. If your boss discovers that you can do your work AND someone else's, they may end up firing them anyway and giving you double the work.

Yes... be the better person and help out.......... a) Its good for that person... as they're not going to drown in despair and stress. B) its good for your company. If the work isn't getting done then the company as a whole will suffer... and at this time thats really not a good thing c) its good for you.

Helping them out will make the relationship better between the two of you. And a better working relationship will make your life happier d) its good for your career... Especially if management can see that you're a real team player who cares about the good of the company even if it means you are doing a bit of extra work....

Yes... be the better person and help out. A) Its good for that person... as they're not going to drown in despair and stress. B) its good for your company.

If the work isn't getting done then the company as a whole will suffer... and at this time thats really not a good thing c) its good for you. Helping them out will make the relationship better between the two of you. And a better working relationship will make your life happier d) its good for your career... Especially if management can see that you're a real team player who cares about the good of the company even if it means you are doing a bit of extra work....

Help him! This is work and you have every right to dislike him on a personal basis, but do it for your company, for your reputation and because it's the right thing to do. It may help you working relationship to relax and you could find a backup for work you could later have.

I'm a little spiteful, so I say let the coworker burn...unless all that workload will land on your shoulders. Then you should try and help him out a little, but stop before it consumes your workday.

This is a common "bad management" strategy. An employer must make an employee look incompetent in order to safely fire them. If there is even a remote possibility that this is the case, then stay far (far) away from the work that this employee is doing.

You don't want to be at all associated with this work and you'll want to be sure to be cordial and help when required, but NOT become responsible for any of these tasks that have been set up to fail. If you're sure that the employee is just honestly slammed with work and for some reason is still going to get fired, then yes, it would be better for the company if you helped out. The solution to this political problem may be to talk to the person who assigned the tasks to the employee.

Ask this manager candidly if you "should" help with the extra work. If there is hesitation or any negativity, then again, run away and do your best to separate yourself. Also, if you're in a lateral position at the compnay, tell this other employee that he or she is going to get fired.

If you don't want to do it face-to-face, leave a sticky note on his or her car anonymously.

There may be a way you can do both. Help him enough that you are seen helping, seen being helpful, shown to be a good team player, but not so much that it takes all his burden off of him. If he can't handle the job, it might be time for him to move on anyway, but there's no sense in you appearing petty because you don't like him.

The person who fills his shoes might not be any better, or they could be worse!

When you say "slammed" with work, think carefully. Do you mean that management is overloading this person on purpose? Or is this person simply not right for the job and is drowning under the work?

Work is not kindergarten. You're at Work to get the job done.It's nice if you also have friends but that is not the priority. Your job is to get your work done.

Your job is not to save your coworker's job.It has nothing to do wit whether or not you like him. Ask yourself: what happens if I help? Might he still be fired?

_Should_ he be fired? (be honest. It's good to have a job but not all jobs are a fit.

A bad fit is bad for everyone. Being fired is not the end of life. ) What happens if you don't help?(Aside from the question of this person might be fired).

Does your own project suffer? On the flip side, if you help, does your project suffer? Whichever you choose will it make a difference to your own work?

To your manager? To your job?

I was in the same boat once, and initially tried to take the high road. Unfortunately, this backfired as the incompetent worker completely lied about the situation and flat-old told the boss that he had done the pieces I had helped him with. It wasn't until we all stopped helping him that the boss finally -- eventually -- realized what was going on.

While I wish I could tell you to help him out for karma's sake, when it comes to lazy weasels like that, the adage of "no good deed goes unpunished" is sadly true.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.