Do you work with someone whose shortcomings tug at your heart strings?  Taking on the role of caregiver every now and then isn’t a bad thing; like helping a new employee find his way or mentoring someone who has an interest in learning from you.  Nor is it wrong to help someone become more efficient or stretch their skills; no matter your position in the org chart.

#9 in our list of a Dozen Dirty Behaviors That Cause Conflict at Work is what happens when an employee relies too much on that helping hand and you’ve moved from aiding to rescuing.  Other employees can get upset especially when the rescuing is at their expense for an extended period of time or happens a little too often.

To be clear, covering up for someone or asking someone to cover up for you is not the same as covering (or rescuing).  Covering is a short term action like answering the phones when a coworker has an appointment outside the office or responding to customer emails while Cindy is on vacation.  Covering up is more than that; like keeping someone in a position that’s beyond his capabilities even with additional training and coaching.  That sort of rescuing isn’t doing him or his co-workers any favors.

If you’re covering up for a coworker, consider going to him and letting him know you think it’s time for him either to ask for whatever it is he needs to do his job properly—or  you will.  Talk to him about the benefit of having this out in the open like experiencing less stress or perhaps finding a job that better fits his skill set.  You can cut the cord with compassion and dignity if you put the focus on the benefit for him rather than talking about the fact that you can’t take it any longer.

If you’re the one others are rescuing, consider stepping up to acknowledge what’s happening and presenting a proposal to change things.  Admitting your shortcomings and asking management to work with you on a plan to improve may actually result in you getting better at your job than you thought possible.