Let’s face it, in the office setting and scenario, many people don’t get along and you more than likely aren’t going to like every single person that you work with. That’s a part of life and tensions only build up when there’s openings around the office for positions that you both want. However, when a coworker’s behavior gets out of line or they’re doing something you don’t like, it may be time to consider sending a complaint letter to worker to hopefully straighten it out.
What is the point of this letter? It ensures that you have a hard copy of you making an interested effort to sort out a mess before it becomes an office war.
State the problem and try to be brief but firm about the problem as well. Don’t turn this into a shouting match, because that could end up getting you both fired.
If there’s some history of the problem and previous correspondence that would suggest this problem has been going on for a long time, then state the history.
Acknowledge that there are some difficulties that will ensue if the problem continues. Not only with your personal relationship but with the office relationship as well.
Offer them a statement and a willingness to negotiate on terms that benefit both of you.
What do you want done that can remedy the problem and fix it?
Request that the recipient reply to your letter.
Dear Robert,
I’m not one to nitpick or one to complain, but when we last spoke on the phone, you were giving me promises of hope that this project would be at least 3/4 done by now and as you can tell, it is not. I was counting on the deadline because when someone misses a deadline, it throws the entire system out of place and unfortunately, I have to reroute my entire schedule because of that missed deadline.
Not only was the deadline missed, but I have yet to hear from you at all as a matter of fact. This is highly unprofessional from your end and I would like to hear an explanation. This will reflect poorly on both of us if we do not deliver a great product on time, which was supposed to be a week ago. My boss is giving me a lot of heat and ultimately, it’s my responsibility to get this thing out of the door.
I understand you may be busy, but a deadline is a deadline and instead of requesting for an extension, you simply just opted not to tell me anything and let it go by unnoticed. Did you forget about the deadline or the project altogether? I will present my case if the project is not delivered soon to the board and the committee and hopefully it won’t have to come to that.
I need you to have the entire project sent to me by March 15. Let me know now if you can do this or not. I need your response.
Sincerely,
Mark Lills