Teacher's pets are usually the child who does what he/she is supposed to, is intelligent & competent, and gets along with the teacher because he/she has a certain maturity level and appreciates when a teacher does something for him/her like extra help or reference letters. Most teacher's pets are leaders that understand cooperation and teamwork.

This person you are mentioning is not a "teacher's pet" but rather a master manipulator, who will rise in a corporation because he IS the rat. If management values his "skills", he will be promoted & given many perks, which could include making your life miserable. Many upcoming junior people think they are playing "Survivor", and it is up to management to not condone this behavior by rewarding it. If cooperation and teamwork are not rewarded by management the corporate WILL change, not for the better.

Any advice for dealing with people like this? My company has hired a junior person who is competitive, jockeys for status, and tattletales on others. That's not really in line with company culture, but some members of management love him. I'm unimpressed. It's annoying but does not affect my position or responsibilities, except I do give this person tasks. He does not appear to have good listening skills, given feedback he did not change the way he did something per instructions.

I think I answered my own question, but my plan is to be firm and clear with expectations and tasks, and let him be teacher's pet if he wants.