askST Jobs: I keep having to pick up a colleague’s work. How should I raise it with my boss?

Navigating workplace challenges requires careful handling of genuine workload concerns, according to Michelle Koh, managing director of The Edge Partnership. The key is to approach the discussion in a calm manner, rather than reacting with frustration. Employees should prepare specific instances to illustrate their points, such as the tasks they've taken on, the deadlines they've had to meet, and the occasions when they've stepped in to cover for their colleagues.

It's crucial to avoid broad statements like "I'm always doing their work" unless they can substantiate this claim. The focus should remain on the impact of the situation on the team and the work itself, rather than attacking the colleague personally. Remember, while employees may not be fully aware of the circumstances behind a colleague's performance, their role is to flag the issue and its impact, while the manager is ultimately responsible for managing performance.

The ultimate goal should be to find a solution, whether it involves clarifying responsibilities, redistributing workloads, or resetting priorities. Tan Weixi, managing partner at Workplace Asia, warns against framing the issue around a colleague's perceived performance. This can put the boss in an uncomfortable position, as they may be seen as having to mediate between two employees.

Instead, employees should steer clear of judging whether a colleague is "pulling their weight". They should also refrain from keeping a tally of every mistake made by their colleague, and instead concentrate on patterns that truly affect the delivery of work. If the situation permits, employees could first speak to the colleague privately, as they might be unaware of the issues.

Ultimately, the aim is to make the boss aware of the underlying work problem, while being clear about what assistance they need from their manager to resolve it.