August 6, 2015
3 Types of Toxic Coworkers - and How to Deal with Them


Are you dealing with a seriously annoying or toxic person at work? Here's what you can do.   

The constant complainer 
If they're not mumbling something bad about the company, then they're mumbling something bad about their own lives. Some of you will want to show sympathy. Others of you will want to chime in and do some bitching of your own. However, both are bad ideas. Don't show sympathy and don't chime in. Avoid complainers. If you can't totally avoid them, then just be friendly and cordial, but don't allow the conversation to go anywhere else. 

The best friend
You haven't even put your stuff down on your new desk when they try to be your BFF. Be careful! Friendships grow slowly. Also, it's generally very tough to keep the balance between the professional and the personal because when you get personal, expectations develop in the realm of the professional. Either you or the other person thinks you should receive perks or get cut some slack because you're buddies. If someone is trying to suck you up into their personal life, limit outside of work activities or make sure you invite everyone in the company. 

The office bully 
They act in a threatening manner and make you dread going to work.  If you can't avoid them and it's really dragging you down, you have two options. You can quit, or you can write a very detailed report with dates, names, and times. Document how this person's activities have undermined the business, and then report it to human resources or your supervisor. Make sure you emphasize how the bully's behavior is reducing productivity and ultimately, costing the company money. 





Posted by Staff at 12:00 AM