A daily look at life on the job by TIME's Lisa Takeuchi Cullen

The case of the sabotaging colleague

It was a dark and stormy day at Employer Inc.

Walking to the window, Mark gritted his teeth and scratched his face, which felt itchy and hot. He surveyed the crepuscular lights of London, as if the missing file might be hiding among them. Monday's presentation would be his first in front of CliffBank's senior management team. He'd only just moved from the firm's research department into its investment banking division, so making a good impression was critical. He'd been working on the slide deck all week, but he couldn't finish it without more up-to-date information—which he guessed was in the elusive file on Millhouse, the famous retail clothing chain CliffBank was trying to land as a client.

He needed a lifeline.

“Nicole,” he whispered to himself.

Cue hair-raising scream: aiieeeee!

Need a thrilling read for Halloween? Try the Harvard Business Review, which this month has a totally engrossing case study (when was the last time you saw "crepuscular" in a business journal?) about a new employee who learns his helpful and friendly colleague isn't what she seems. It's even interactive. I won't give away the ending, but let's just say the commentators, including a former CEO, share surprising opinions on how best to handle the little weasel.

As if the threat of unemployment isn't scary enough. Do tell: anyone else dealing with a back-stabbing work frienemy?

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Comments (3)
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  • 1

    Couldn't get anyone to comment on this one, huh? Those frienemies are powerful stuff.
    BTW, love your new pic. But tell the folks at Time to update the one on the Time Blogs pg - its still the old you...

  • 2

    Always great to have friends. Ain't it.

  • 3

    Understanding who you are is important I feel , seeking the positive. Remembering what constitutes your affirmation and planning for your life with significance is crucial, the now and for the journey to the awakening of your future that will unfold

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