Five Tips on How to Deal with Abusive Coworkers

By Michelle WithaM, published Sep 21, 2007
Published Content: 320  Total Views: 528,296  Favorited By: 18 CPs
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Almost everyone has to deal with difficult coworkers every once in a while in any job. Here are five tips on dealing with difficult coworkers.

Document everything that coworkers say or do towards you

Make sure to document everything in writing and verbally. You need to bring a tape recorder to work in order have evidence. Make sure to record on paper the time and date of when a certain incident happened. You want to make sure that you have a list of any names of people that were around during the time of any abusive incident.

Give the impression to your mean coworkers that they don't bug you

The reason why you are suppose to give them the impression that they don't bug you goes in your favor. They will get tired of not getting a response from you. Difficult coworkers only like to make your life miserable and your job miserable to try to get you to quit. It is usually because they are jealous of you or perhaps they are just miserable in their own life.

Let your manager know that about the difficult coworkers

You want to notify your boss and manager regarding the difficult coworkers. You want to let them know in writing what is exactly happening. You want to make a copy of the report that you file at work. You want keep records of it just in case the boss or manager doesn't do anything about it. This is important cause if anything really bad happens to you that is caused by your coworkers then you can most likely sue the company. Every company is suppose to protect their coworkers from harm.

Try to ignore your coworkers

The more you less respond to them trying to cause trouble then the less they will bug you. You want them to think what they say or do doesn't hurt your feelings. You want them to think that you think they are a bunch of low life losers. You can imply it by simply just doing your work while you just ignore them.

Write your coworkers up for everything they do that is mean or against policy

Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
 
 
I have a coworker who unfortunately is in the office next to mine. His favorite word is f*** and any variation of it. Says it as many times a day as he can fit in. Talks to vendors and other coworkers using as much profanity as he knows. I can't believe that no one has complained. I have found a way to at least partially deal with it. Unfortunately complaining to those in charge will do no good and will in fact possibly get me in trouble. Makes no sense I know. I keep hoping someone else around me will complain to our boss, but they seem to see it as some kind of joke. I even swear myself sometimes but this is an everyday, all day thing for him. Thought about buying him a thesauras. He is the kind of person who doesn't think he does anything wrong, knows everything and could care less how his behavior effects others. It has definitely created a hostile work environment.

Posted on 06/06/2008 at 8:06:20 AM

 
Sometimes this can back fire and you look disgruntled. I am glad this worked for you Marie and Lori.

Posted on 12/03/2007 at 3:12:00 PM

 
I took on the abusive boss and won. My tape recorder sealed the deal. I wrote my story, it is on AC. called Beating the Workplace Bulley. It was horror at the time. Now I can see it was a growing and learning experience. I'm just glad I had the courage to walk away, take a risk and find another job. Most stay and put up with it because they need a paycheck

Posted on 10/28/2007 at 8:10:00 PM

 
My abusive co-worker got what she deserved...Karma is 100%, 100% of the time. It's been six years and she still isn't over being fired, she let it ruin her life and the few friendships she did have. Being nasty always comes back to you.

Posted on 09/21/2007 at 10:09:00 PM

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