Handling a Bad Co-worker
Posted March 19th, 2012
What’s that old saying? “Work would be great except for the people”?
Sadly, that phrase is too true too often: co-workers really can make one’s work life miserable.
If you’re stuck in a cubicle farm or facility with a “bad” co-worker, read below for some tips on how to cope.
- Act fast. Don’t tolerate the bad behavior hoping it will go away on its own. Chances are, the poor behavior will get worse if ignored. By not speaking up when someone bullies you, you’re tacitly giving the individual permission to continue
- Some people don’t take criticism well. They don’t understand that suggestions on how to do something better or requests to get work done by deadline, etc. aren’t personal attacks, but professional and business critiques to improve performance. Such individuals may take professional critiques as personal attacks and lash out.
- If the problem with your co-worker is that he or she can’t do all the tasks assigned well, offer to split duties, if possible, with both of you taking on tasks each of you does best. Yes, this may mean more work for you, but you can let your superiors know that you’re taking on more responsibility (without denigrating your co-worker) and a promotion and/or raise could result!
- Try to resolve your differences without the help of your manager or the human resources department first. If the two of you still can’t come to some sort of professional workplace collaboration and if the bad behavior persists, bring it up to your boss and then to HR (in case the boss can’t or won’t help).
- Keep the conflict private as much as possible. Don’t kvetch in meetings or to co-workers: you’ll be seen as a whiner instead of justifiably aggrieved.
If you’re in the market for some new co-workers, contact one of our recruiters. Bayside Solutions can help provide you with opportunities to work with some of the Bay Area’s top employers. Contact us today!
