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The Disappearing Colleague

An accountant who worked in a small company disappeared for several hours each afternoon. He never announced why he needed to take off and never bothered to see if his coworkers might need financial information while he was out. When he returned, he conscientiously worked into the evening to make up the time. And that schedule suited his night owl lifestyle. But it frustrated the woman who wrote me for advice because he was often out when the office needed to confer with him.

When you have to depend on such inconsiderate coworkers, try to agree on a deadline for submitting information you both can live with. For emergencies ask him to check his cell phone in case the office needs to contact him.

If the person repeatedly disappears and fails to deliver vital information the boss requested, then pass along what you have with a note that says the other employee’s contribution was unavailable. That could prompt action to cut down on the afternoon constitutions.