It’s one of the strangest things you could ever come across in the workplace — yet it’s happening more and more.

Simply put: Employees cause problems on the job or at the workplace — so they can ride in on the white steed and save the day. Then, of course, they reap the credit for solving the problems.

Except it’s not always obvious that the same employees were the source of the problems, as well.

They even have a name for it: “Munchausen at Work,” based on a psychological disorder present in people who make up illnesses — or even induce illnesses — in others.

Some examples of Munchausen at Work:

• A plant manager made up layoff rumors, then told staffers a couple of weeks later he had saved their jobs.
• A manager at one business blamed the company computer for delays in depositing checks, then took credit for fixing the problem. Meanwhile, a manager searched her desk — and found the checks in a drawer.
• One employee took credit for repairing “strained” relations between a co-worker and her team. Later, staffers learned the “hero” was responsible for the strained relationships — by spreading word among teammates that the co-worker couldn’t be trusted.

Tags: disorder, work, workplace