Everyone has either experienced it or knows someone who has. Most people acknowledge it's unjust. Many complain about it. Few ultimately do anything about it.

How often do we hear this scenario: "I have a co-worker who is constantly taking the credit for our projects' success. In the brainstorming sessions, I generate the ideas; she runs to the boss claiming them hers. Everyone seems to think she's the star and I'm the tag-along. But when she goes out to happy hour, I'm the one rooted to my desk, slaving away. What do I do without seeming like a whiner or paranoid?"

In an ideal world, the rest of your cubicled community would notice you at your desk night after night, and put two and two together. Unfortunately, reality bites.

Here's how you can take matters into your own hands:

1. Talk to the source of the problem. I always recommend that you nip the problem in the bud before you try any other option. Try to talk to your colleague about his/her behaviour and how it affects you and the progress of the project. They may not realise that they are doing anything out of the ordinary, or may assume they are being proactive on your team's behalf. So do attempt to clear things up with the individual face-to-face first.

2. Track Everything! During brainstorming sessions, take the initiative to draw out a process map detailing the discussion taken place and the decisions made. To safeguard further, account for the dates of the meetings, attendees and who proposed which ideas. With the process map, the project can be planned and implemented better. Further, and more importantly, during staff meetings, the information presented to the boss will show the progress being made and who's responsible for the project’s performance.

3. Zap an email. Should your company be bereft of regular staff meetings, seize the advantages of email and be proactive. At the end of the week, shoot your boss a progress update. Don't create volumes of material, but ensure that you attribute the ideas to the appropriate person.
   
   Alternatively, if your colleague refuses to cooperate, you might consider pre-empting any brainstorming session by presenting the ideas within a coherent and concise email to the boss. Bosses love good ideas fast. You can even do it at night [from home]. The time will be on the email and your boss will know you're the one making the effort. Plus, should your colleague try to corral all the credit for "his/her" new ideas, the boss might respond by saying, "I got an email on that just last night." Busted.

4. Never be too busy to market yourself. Keep the people who count updated on what you are doing and how much effort was involved. Seek counsel from experienced colleagues on ideas you are developing. Eventually your actions will be noticed and that colleague in question will have to give account for his/her actions and capabilities. Ultimately, if you are the one doing the legwork and coming up with the ideas, your visibility and commitment will convince sceptics. That will speak louder than any shallow claims your colleague may have to offer.

5. Should your company be missing procedures that can prevent credit snatching, initiate the procedures yourself with your boss and/or HR department.

   1. Insist that all project documents carry the footnote initials of the person who created the idea, even it is signed by his/her boss. This has the twin advantages of giving credit where due or placing accountability if things falter.

   2. Use the process maps or other email documentation of contributions as evidence in your annual performance review. Unless your company institutes a performance appraisal system based on meritocracy, credit robbery will be difficult to control.

6. And, finally - avoid whinging about your lot in life within the workplace. You should know by now, if you haven't been burnt already, that co-workers are never just friends. Through conscious or unconscious actions, they may spread your negative lamentations along the grapevine and a whiner never looks good. Be proactive, be positive and take action. Root out the source of the problem and work the solution.

We live in a Darwinian world where the fittest will survive. Any company worth it's salt will notice talent when they see it. Whether the best companies include the one you’re currently with should be a fact you assess once the efforts mentioned above are made. As a backup plan, research and keep a list of the best and worst employers in your industry as you consider your options outside. Should you find a move necessary, make your next move up the industry food chain and don’t forget to take credit for it.