A coworker is taking credit for my work. What should I do?
Direct answerWhen a coworker takes credit for your work, there's usually little visibility into who did what, communication funneled through one person, and no record of deliverables. The first step is to start documenting your contribution in writing, with messages summarizing what you did and for whom, before important meetings.
How it shows up
You do the analysis, build the solution, or fix the problem, and in the meeting someone else presents it as their own.
Most likely root causes
- Unrecorded contributionYour work circulates without your name on it, in files and informal conversations.
- Funneled communicationOnly your coworker talks to the manager or presents results, so they become the face of the project.
- Undefined rolesWithout a clear split of responsibilities, it's easy to take ownership of someone else's work.
- Avoiding conflictYou say nothing to keep the peace, and the behavior repeats.
Quick self-check
- Do you record what you deliver in writing?
- Do you also present results to your manager?
- Are responsibilities on the project clearly defined?
- Have you talked to the coworker directly about it?
If you answered yes to two or more, start with that cause.
First step today
Today, send your manager a message summarizing the progress on your part of the project, including what you've already delivered.
30-day plan
- Week 1: start recording your deliverables and send short, regular updates to your manager.
- Weeks 2 and 3: talk to your coworker objectively about giving credit in presentations and ask to present your part in meetings.
- Week 4: if the behavior continues, bring your records to your manager, focusing on facts and the division of work.
When to seek professional help
Look for a mentor to think through your approach. If having your work taken comes with repeated humiliation, exclusion, or retaliation, go to HR or the ethics channel and, if needed, an employment lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I confront my coworker in the meeting?
- It's usually better to add details that show your authorship and then talk privately afterward.
- What if my manager doesn't care?
- Keep documenting and making your work visible. If nothing changes, consider whether the environment values individual contribution.