Tjyylli

I started working at Dec 2018, currently, there is only me and the senior developer and we sit next to each other.

He come to work really early and leaves early.

When I started working I noticed him really lecturing me about not touching his code.

Almost everyday when I come to work, I try to be at my best attitude and everyone at the office likes me and talks to every time, except him.

He become hostile every time there is something I want to ask him, that to him, seems like redundant question, just to clarify, my questions are related to HIS project that I have NEVER touched, BUT he somehow thinks I need to know every single bit of the code and tell me that I am stupid for asking and not figured it out.

(And by the way, his code is so bad that all the variables are just bunch of random letters sometimes, never a whole word that describe it)

There were a lot of fighting like this and today happened something, yesterday I needed to finish a system I have been working on and when I ran the project, it crashed, so I started debugging and found out that he forgot to add a few lines to his code (the code that he didn't want me to touch).

It was 4-5 hours before end of work, I didn't really have anything else to do, and he keeps me in the dark about what I should do next, and all the code is on his computer and he let me have pieces of it every time I finish something...

So what I did is add 1 line of code (assignment) that he forgot, and continue finishing my work. (there was another thing he forgot but I didn't touched that because I knew he would go crazy)

fast forward to today, I told him about what I did, showed him the line of code, he went silent.
Just for the record, all the company sits in a long hallway and we can all hear each other and talk to each other (and see of course).

When he started talking he went yelling in front of everyone that he told me not to touch the code and its the second time he tells me that, and I told him "ok I can delete it" and he again went quiet (and you could see his angry face clearly), I asked him if we can continue with the CR, he told me "I don't think I want to".

It was more yelling after that in front of everyone and I just got up and got into a empty room.

After that I got outside and a coworker came to me and told me about him that he is like that with everyone he worked with before, and every coworker that we have in the office is backing me up and I should be strong... I started crying because I couldn't help it.

I don't really know what to do, I already told the manager a week ago about all this and he didn't seem to do anything just told me that in two months or more we will be separated...

If I go and tell him again and he confronts him, he will be even more angry with me because I told the manager. And he is a greater asset than me for the company..

I really don't want to get fired because of that, and I don't know what to do.. If anyone could help me with this situation that would be great.

EDIT: The manager just called me in, and told me about what happened and told me that what he said earlier about 2-3 month to separate us, will be even sooner (didn't specify a date).

He said that tomorrow he will talk to him about all that, and if I want I can take half day off or I can learn a new system they are integrating.

I don't know what will happen but you were right he told me he will work on it as soon as he can.

Thanks to everyone for the help I truly appreciate it!

The incident you described is unethical, unprofessional, abusive and borderline harassment. Irrespective of the facts about the efficiency, technical capability, time management etc or that person's "importance" in the organization (or whatever you are assuming by saying "greater asset").- this is about work ethics.

Time to have a talk with HR, without any delay.. Since you're already kept you manager informed earlier, pull him also in the discussion.

If things are fair in your organization, most likely the senior dev will be taking a walk, as he seems to be a serial offender in this case.

However, somehow if you feel that the HR or the administration is trying to cover up the case, start looking for job elsewhere. You don't want to be a part of the organization which encourages harassment and bullying.

And he is a greater asset than me to the company

No. An abusive co-worker is never a greater asset to the company.

Everyone in your company, regardless of their level, has the right to be treated with respect - from the cleaner to the CEO. Your manager should know this, and simply moving people around this guy isn't dealing with the situation.

It looks as though this guy is known for this behaviour and people have either avoided or worked around him. Ask your peers how they've handled this, how did they report this behaviour, and how they dealt with it.

If possible, record this behaviour happening (whether toward you or someone else) and take this to HR. Remind your manager that allowing this situation to carry on isn't an acceptable way of dealing with it.

It's possible that this guy's defense is an autism-related condition and that "that's the way he is". That, however, is his problem. Abusive behaviour should not be tolerated - from anyone.

It's fairly obvious that this guy is both obfuscating and protecting his code base in order to protect his job. Again, this situation cannot be allowed to happen (for obvious reasons).

You should have clear examples showing:

• that you could not finish your work without touching "his" code;


• "his" code actually is broken.

I used "his" because the code belongs to the company.

Additionally, keep reporting (to the boss and HR) his behavior as often as needed. Show how his work is sloppy. Complain that you are forced to work in an unprofessional environment because of this colleague, and that this affects both you professional performance AND your private life - since a difficult day at work cannot be "magically" forgotten at the end of the "shift".

Learn as fast as possible, you might have the (nice) surprise to be promoted to do his work.

You might want to discuss with HR too, yelling is not welcome in any company.

While looking for another job is definitely one alternative, I would not say that this workplace is toxic, but only one colleague. Yes, it is difficult. And it is likely that he will go away as soon as somebody can take over his tasks. Since you are a beginner, you might want to consider having a little more patience (if you can do it, and if you want). Also, think about this: do you have any guarantee that the next job will be perfect? I changed jobs several times, and I am yet to find one which comes close to "perfect".