Dealing with bad co-workers can be tricky, but remaining professional and setting boundaries can create a healthier work environment. Addressing the issue directly and using the sandwich method can resolve conflicts. Beware of gossip and negative people, and if the bad co-worker is the boss, study the environment and try to improve the relationship.
At some point, everyone has come across a bad co-worker. Some offices have one or two, while others are loaded with them. Whether your enemy is office gossip, who gets credit for your work, or a lackluster person who does absolutely nothing and lets you pick up the slack – a bad coworker can make your work life miserable. Dealing with this issue can be tricky, but the key may be remaining professional and setting boundaries to create a healthier work environment.
Usually, addressing this issue directly with the bad coworker can resolve the issue. Letting upset feelings consume will not help alleviate the situation. In fact, it could make things worse. In other words, while you’re angry, the other person may have no idea they’ve done something wrong.
Be professional and respectful. The goal is to help the other person see things from your point of view. To do this, you’ll also need to try to see things from his perspective. Never confront a bad co-worker in front of other people; ask him to speak with you privately.
Use the sandwich method to sidestep the conflict and cater to your co-worker’s ego. To do this, start and end with a compliment. The meat of the sandwich is when you specifically and professionally state what you are doing to annoy him. Then give the bad coworker the opportunity to respond. An open line of communication can not only lead to resolution, but also create an unexpected friendship and mutual understanding.
Beware of the gossip. Although he or she seems friendly when talking to you, the conversation may be brimming with personal or inappropriate details about other people in the workplace. Remember the saying: if they do it to you, they’ll do it to you. Engaging in such gossip is generally a bad idea. Politely tell him you’re not interested in hearing about the latest scandal and change the subject to a generic topic.
Negative people can drain your spirit and contribute to an overall miserable atmosphere. They never have anything nice to say about anything, they dismiss ideas and complain all day long. It may take some extra work to fix this issue. While you can never change the negative person’s perspective, you can infuse your conversations with positive influence. Counter the negative comments with the upbeat ones and point to the bright side whenever you can.
Sometimes the bad co-worker is the boss. Maybe he or she is getting all the credit for their hard work. Maybe he or she treats you unfairly, criticizes or makes demands that others in the workplace don’t make. Whatever the circumstance, dealing with a difficult supervisor can be distressing.
Take the time to study your environment. If the boss seems to treat you differently than other employees, look at what other coworkers are doing that exempts them from such treatment. Depending on the situation, you can mimic their efforts. Failing that, you can also try the sandwich method to improve the relationship.
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