I've requested a meeting with my boss?

[TechWriter]

to discuss the problem I am having with a co-worker and her refusal to cooperate. This issue is affecting my job performance and the overall office moral (we are all suppose to be a "team"). I get along GREAT with everyone else. I would keep ignoring her (as I have been doing for the last 4 mos.), but today I reached my breaking point. (BTW, I think she may be manic-depressive, if not, she's definitely has anger management issues!) My problem is that she doesn't show this side of herself to the boss and so I am not sure that he will even believe me. Have I done the right thing by contacting my boss and setting the wheels in motion? I emailed him and just said that I need to talk to him, but did not indicate WHAT I needed to talk about. I've only worked at this company for 6 mos. and am nervous to be "making waves". I know that no one can MAKE another person "behave", so I don't know if this is pointless or not. Has anyone else been through a similar situation at work?
This particular co-worker has only been at the company for about 4 mos. herself. She yells at me out of the blue and before I can say a word, she storms off to her office and slams the door. Another co-worker commented to me today that she also gets mad at customers. She bounces between "fine" and "raging" all day long. . .I never know what to expect from her. I also never know if she is talking to me or not as she will give me the silent treatment. She is supposed to cover my desk for me during the day and refuses to do so when I need to be gone from it or to learn my position.
I spoke with a co-worker who has been with the company for over 25 yrs. today and she recommended that I speak to the boss. That is the only reason I chose to go this route.

I have tried talking to the co-worker with whom I have a problem and it doesn't do any good. She bounces back and forth to the point that I think she is mentally/emotionally unstable and I never know what she will do or say.

Our HR dept. consist of one person and that person pretty much doesn't do anything at all but pass the buck (in fact, I do some of the HR duties for this person!)

And no, I would never comment on the co-worker's mental problems to my boss - I just wanted to comment on them for the people on YA who answer this question so they could get a "picture" of the situation.

[Adecentanswer]

Just focus on how her actions affect your ability to complete your job responsibilities. Her not covering your desk is a good example, but you should have more. Don't mention any subjective medical observations because, quite honestly, you aren't qualified to do so. Just sit back, go through your list of your job responsibilities, and how her actions impact your ability to complete those responsibilities, and you'll be fine.

[aicram]

Have you discussed your issues with the co-worker in question? You have not been there very long -six month's is considered new. I know that people are perceived much better when they do everything in there power to rectify a situation before "going to the boss".Going to the boss is the last recourse. I don't know your company, so I don't know the dynamics, or protocol.But, I think that this is the popular thought.
I would think twice. Is there a HR, a contemporary or a manager whom with you can speak ?
My advise: don't go to the boss. Use your smarts and work it out on your own. Believe me.

[2telldatruth]

It has to be frustrating for you to have a co-worker like that. Actually, my boss is very similar to your co-worker. Plus, she has absolutely no sense of humor. Last week she even said that we can't talk to each other anymore unless it is work related. WHAT!!! I think it's because nobody likes her and she gets jealous because the rest of us get along fine with each other. Anyway, If you want to stay working there without going as crazy as your co-worker then you should talk to your boss. When you talk to your boss ask for a suggestion of what you should do to change the situation. If she has good qualities then you should bring those up to. I mean, she has to have a reason for acting like that. It seems like you are a nice person so I don't think you want her to get fired.

[1595]

Carry a voice recorder. Document or obtain witnesses to back up your claim. It'll help you when presenting the problems with your boss. This type of person I've come across before and the best way to deal with bullies and sociopaths is facts and proof.