Maybe the coworker is departing soon. Could be one of a few things, none of which is want to get involved with. Just don't cover for said coworker unless boss knows your workload and your additional workload.

Op, do you think your boss meant "deal with" it as in deal with getting the work done without the coworker or deal with the employee for leaving early?

First of all the boss should be finding a way to make sure the work gets done. They aren't. So I would worry less about they are leaving and more about making sure your work gets completed first. Start keeping track of what you are doing that is the other employees work - does it really have to be done, does it really impact what you are doing. If it impacts what you are doing then keep track of that part only. During your next meeting with your boss in a non-judgmental way - don't throw your co-worker under the bus - reflect on your work load - what challenges you are facing, what areas you could use help, how you are trying to meet the challenges and but where you are concerned about completion of a project and task. Ask them how best accomplishing these things can be done. THEN write up a re-cap of the meeting and send it to the boss saying as per our meeting these are my priorities, challenges etc. If there continues to be issues its on the boss to manage it...and you have it documented. For me personally I have to leave early for kid related things---not things I want the office to know about - my supervisor knows about them and has approved. I still have projects with deadlines - so weekly I keep him update on progress and if need be I'm doing work at home after I leave the office to make sure it happens.

If you boss says deal with it, I'd assume it's for a good reason and suck it up. Or talk to your boss and say that you can certainly deal with it, but it'll make X, Y, and Z take more time regularly now. if it's unsustainable, then find a new job.

Another one with a coworker who leaves early for cancer treatments. She's very open about it. But I can understand others wanting to keep any health issues private.

Anonymous wrote:I work 32 hours a week, but I do come in every day and just leave early most days. For those who don't know my arrangement, it probably appears that I am a slacker. I have a coworker who is going through chemo. For those who don't know about it, it looks like she is leaving early a few times a week. None of your business. Get your tasks done first, then if you have time, do some of your coworkers. Whatever of their tasks that you can leave undone that does not directly affect your tasks, leave undone. Eventually someone will notice. If you really are unhappy, time to look for another job.

+1 I was the employee going through chemo a few years ago. Now, my admin is. Someone was visiting from another office and complained that "Admin was gone all afternoon yesterday and she didn't even come in today, even with all of us visiting?" He got told to mind his own business.

I forgot to add, OP, I had a coworker just like this also and after 2 years, I looked for another job because I was getting burnt out.

Then that fool decided to get a job in the area right next to me less than 6 months later. Talk about being livid but at least we don't work together directly. She did try to get a job with me and I went to my supervisor and begged her not to hire her.

Why can't the co-worker complete the tasks before departing on those days? Have you asked them that?

If the tasks have to be completed in real time, could you trade non time-bound tasks with the co-worker so that you won't have as many tasks on your plate on the afternoons that they leave early?

Anonymous wrote:There may be a good reason and none of your business. Boss said to deal with it so deal with it or find a new job.

If there is a good reason then the boss needs to state that while still preserving the employee's privacy and not to just "deal with it".

I swear, only idiots can become supervisors in this country.

Just myob for now and let your boss deal with it.

I work 32 hours a week, but I do come in every day and just leave early most days. For those who don't know my arrangement, it probably appears that I am a slacker. I have a coworker who is going through chemo. For those who don't know about it, it looks like she is leaving early a few times a week. None of your business. Get your tasks done first, then if you have time, do some of your coworkers. Whatever of their tasks that you can leave undone that does not directly affect your tasks, leave undone. Eventually someone will notice. If you really are unhappy, time to look for another job.

There may be a good reason and none of your business. Boss said to deal with it so deal with it or find a new job.

If your boss says deal with, deal with it and/ or start looking for another job.

It could be they have leave, it could be they are getting in earlier. It could be that they are the bosses favorite. Is it fair to you since you have to do their work? No it isn't. Its not like they just do their work at another time. Leave your work uncompleted if you have to, document when the person leaves and you can't get your work done as a result, and start looking for another job.

Um... deal with it?

I often left "early" by the clock at my last job, but my day often started at 5 am at home with phone calls, and I put in more time once I was home. I worked way more than my 40 hours and hated people who claimed I wasn't doing my share just because my butt wasn't in a chair 9-5.

Furthermore, your colleague could be using PTO or FMLA, which would be none of your business.

My coworker leaves 2-4 hours early at least twice a week. I am responsible for their tasks which must be completed promptly when they are out of the office and sometimes it interferes with me completing my own work in a timely manner. I spoke with our supervisor who basically shrugged a shoulder and told me to deal with it. How do I approach this? Any other options?