a reticent communicator is causing trouble at my workplace

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The Setting: I work part-time (renewable contract) as a project assistant for a social services agency. It is a small office – one manager, 7 staff, and me. I have been there almost a year, and the working environment is very good. I get along with all of the staff, and I get to do work that is related to my degree. The manager seems to really like me and has said approving things about my work to other staff and managers. It is satisfying work.

The Problem: The admin assistant works in the front office, next to the manager, and their relationship is sometimes rocky. From what I can see, the assistant is a reticent communicator while the manager is more direct (like me). When I was hired last November the manager assigned me to help her with her project, plus provide some admin back up to the admin assistant. (The admin assistant was at my hiring meeting.) Since then, the manager has become familiar with my full skill set. The result is that I have helped with numerous other projects, under the direction of the manager, and this seems to be bothering the admin assistant, even though I always help her when she needs it.

Last week, she seemed irritated that I was helping a senior staffer with his project. Using diplomatic language, I got her to talk about what was really bugging her, and it seems that she thinks that by instructing me to help the other staff, the manager is going back on her initial plan. I encouraged her to talk directly with the manager about it, but I don’t know if she will. It was a friendly, professional conversation, and she seemed better after we talked.

Direct communication with my supervising manager has always been my preferred working style. It is how I know if my work is up to spec. I want to continue to take direction from my manager. Is the communication between the manager and admin assistant going to happen? Is this person just a lazy complainer who doesn't like to really deal with things - just complain? I took part time/contract work to stay out of the politics. This has been bothering me. I go back to work on Tuesday. Thanks to anyone who has taken time to read this – I don’t mean to ramble but I just had to get my words out.

First of all, you are far the more the professional of the two of you. Good for you!

at first blush I would say she deluded herself into thinking that you were hired to help her exclusively. You helping others brings her back to being (just) an AA. I think she resents that, and will not talk to her manager about it because she dreads hearing the truth.

so she just makes you uncomfortable in a passive-agressive attempt to make others feel as bad as she does. Ultimately it does no good, but it does distract you from focusing your full attention on your job, and hoping you will get in the middle of their office politics and that might be her way of getting back.

It's not personal. It would have been anyone in your position.

Or maybe she's just jealous.
It happens a lot in offices, well, everywhere but in confined offices it can be more evident.

An admin assistant is supposed to work well with everybody and if you deal with people better than her/him, s/he can simply be jaleous about it.

So be careful! And if s/he doesn't want to speak to the boss about that issue, you'd better do it yourself
... Maybe it'll help the both of you (the boss and you) to clarify things about that person's communication?

Does s/he act like this with everyone or only with you or with some colleagues?
Is it always or on occasional times?

Thank you for the constructive comments. I appreciate both of you for taking the time to write.

When we spoke last week, I told her that I had prioritized my work plan for the coming week, and she seemed fine with that. This person is not a direct communicator with any of the staff. If I talk to the manager on her behalf, I am concerned that I will enable her malfunctioning communication style. If she is having trouble getting along with the other staff, then that is her issue. It seems that working and being professional can sometimes throw someone else's unprofessional behaviour into the harsh light of day. (Not that I want that, it just seems to happen). Conflict between her and the manager may stimulate some honest communication, which she seems to need.

For now, I will go in to work, concentrate and get things done, and let things play out on their own. I am willing to change my strategy if necessary.

that seems a wise plan, coralbell.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.