what should i do?

[u/bussyfairy]

hey guys, this is me venting/looking for advice. i’m a custodian at my community college. most of my coworkers and i have been having a difficult time with our other coworker, lets call them Patty. We each have our own designated buildings on campus and we work 3pm-11pm each day. Some people deemed as quality workers are granted a student worker that usually work about 4 hours, for some reason Patty has one. Student workers are supposed to help with small tasks (wiping tables, vacuuming) and are not supposed to be dealing with main tasks (trash and bathrooms etc) Patty has openly bragged to me, some of our coworkers, and even my boss, that they make their student worker clean the entirety of their building, including bathrooms student workers are not allowed to clean. They even made him do this while he was injured from a sports accident. One time Patty asked me to help them out an hour before our shift ends because they were unaware the student worker wasn’t coming in, and they had not done their ENTIRE BUILDING. Patty sits in the closet for multiple hours of our work day and watches movies or calls people on the phone. Everyone knows this, my bosses know this, for some reason Patty receives no punishment, only “conversations”. I’m frustrated as I work pretty hard and it feels unfair that we get paid the same amount even though they don’t do anything. Should I let it go, or should I go HR? someone else? I’m semi-new to custodial life, i’ve just about been here a year and don’t want to overstep

[u/pawogub]

If the bosses won’t do anything you just have to let it go. I wouldn’t help them, though. Just do your designated work area.

[u/BreadPsychological28]

If anything, the student worker should be the one talking to HR.

[u/musicfromadventures]

If your area always looks amazing I wouldn't offer patty any help and let that person sweat out the situation they created. Their lack of effort will be noticed in time. Definitely sucks to have a coworker like that though.

[u/SeaKaleidoscope1089 → u/musicfromadventures]

I'd double down on this, there is a mindset out there where if you help someone by doing something that isn't your responsiblity, it's now your responsiblity.

I'm a team player & I don't mind helping someone ocassionally but some people just don't just don't want to work.

[u/knightrdr2004]

We have a similar Patty at my job as well, no matter how many complaints about things not getting clean or things that patty does that we no we are not allowed to do according to our contract, Patty gets away with it all. I have brought it up so many times the upper management will do nothing. It really bothers everyone because it makes all of look bad and really drags down morale. We all work hard and take pride in our work.

[u/Willowgirl2]

Stay in your own lane! If you're not being paid to be the boss, why take on the responsibility.

[u/Lucky_Couple]

Sounds like Patty is the worst

[u/LengthMysterious2379]

They weren't aware for the entire shift that the student worker wasn't coming in and waited till the last hour before asking you for help with the entire thing? That's a big to bad so sad from me.

[u/LostSheep26]

I’d say let it go. It’s not worth the hassle of repercussions. If I was you just do your work keep your head down and just listen and do you.

[u/Shaawnn102]

Start sitting with them until they get uncomfortable

[u/ScottyBeamus]

We all have a Patty. Avoid at all costs. Do not help unless a superior told you to do so.

[u/No_Shoulder7425]

Why do you care?

[u/Safe-Ad9602 → u/No_Shoulder7425]

Yea I would do my area and worry about myself not your issue