No matter where you work there is always a difficult coworker. There are many different types of people who can cause us difficulties at work. Below are some of the most known difficult coworkers and strategies for dealing with those coworkers
1. General Difficult Coworker
2. The Bully
1. General Difficult Coworker
- What these people look like – generally obnoxious, get on everyone’s nerves, undermines people, has to have the last word, competes for power or privilege, criticize anything that is not their idea. This person can have one or more of these traits along with other traits not listed.
- How to deal with these coworkers – confront the coworker about their behaviours. Offer constructive criticism on how they can change their reactions to situations and be sure to use “I” statements. Although difficult to do it is necessary as not addressing the issues(s) will only cause it to become a bigger problem and create more problems for you at work.
2. The Bully
- What these people look like – talk over you at meetings, put you down, make you feel intimidated, yell at you, make you dread coming into work or working near them, criticize you, sabotages your work, gossips about you and/or takes credit for your work
- How to deal with these coworkers – You must take a stand against the bully. Set your limits on what you will tolerate, confront the bully about their behaivour, document the bully’s behaviours and reactions, document if they are bullying other coworkers, advise your management or HR. Note that HHHC does have an abuse policy that bullying falls under, be sure to read your policies and follow the recommendations in it should you be experiencing bullying at work.
- What these people look like – the complain about everything, the world is out to get them and nothing is ever right
- How to deal with these coworkers – if possible avoid them. If you can’t avoid them, listen to them so that they feel heard and/or validated (sometimes that is all a person needs), if you feel that their concerns are valid ask if they would like your assistance in solving the problem and then provide assistance, if you don’t feel this concerns are legitimate then be courageous and tell them.
- What these people look like – they try to make an argument out of every situation. They will on occasion just hold the conflict to themselves and then explode over something smaller.
- How to deal with these coworkers – Make your statement and then stop – allow the other person to respond. Do not argue, keep your cool and listen to what the other person is saying. Figure out what you would like to see as the end result and stay focused on the issue during the confrontation, do not bring in the past.
- What these people look like – they talk about everyone’s business and often turn half truths into speculative, full truths. They often disrupt the work place, hurt people’s feelings, damage relationships and lower the employee moral and motivation.
- How to deal with these coworkers – address the issue head on. If the coworkers behaviours don’t change address with management