| Difficult co-workers are (unfortunately) the standard in the workplace — not the exception.Although the folks in Denver, along the Front Range and across Colorado are some of the best people in the world ever, there’s ALWAYS (at least) one annoying co-worker in every office. We’ve all met them whether it’s the talker, the ass kisser, the gossip or the omnipresent TMI who insists on telling you the most inappropriate and often disturbing details of their twisted lives. Difficult co-workers pretend they’re oblivious to their heinous behavior and avoiding them is out of the question since that’s another one of the irritating things about them, they’re always nearby. Eventually you’ll crack and have to say something and when you do they’ll stare at you like you’ve got three heads but have no fear! This person has been driving you insane for months — maybe even years — and it’s time to do something about it. Killing them may seem like the only option left to you but it’s still against the law and it looks like it will stay that way so let’s explore some more peaceful options.
“Everyone is going to have some sort of mannerism that bothers you so to some extent we have to deal with it, but when things get out of hand and your medication isn’t doing the trick anymore there’s only a couple of ways to REALLY address the problem. Discuss the problem (s) with your co-worker: Depending on how heinous the behavior is that’s bothering you it never hurts to engage the offender in a friendly conversation. That being said we need to try to be delicate and approach the discussion in a non-judgmental, non-confrontational way. For example: I don’t know if you noticed but, (insert your issue of choice here) and it’s making my life kind of suck. This gets things out in the open and starts a dialogue with the offender and a reasonable co-worker will usually be receptive to your feelings. If that approach doesn’t work out you can always revisit the idea of having them eliminated or sanctioned with extreme prejudice. I can’t recommend this as a solution especially if career advancement is important to you; always try to act professionally in the workplace regardless of what an annoying co-worker might do, Speak with your supervisor: If your friendly overture and the polite one-on-one doesn’t work or turn out to be so friendly then another option is to bring up the issue with your supervisor. |
Difficult Co-Workers
March 2nd, 2008 · No Comments
Tags: At The Job
