3 ways to handle an annoying co-worker
It gets more annoying when they complain about your boss, especially when you like both your boss and coworker.
It could be frustrating having to listen to a coworker's whining of how life has been unfair to him/her. It gets more annoying when they complain about your boss, especially when you like both your boss and coworker.
This puts your loyalty to test and you really don't want to throw one person under the bus.
Three ways to deal with your co-worker without getting into trouble:
1. Watch your mouth: It’s important to remember that if your co-worker is complaining to you, she’s probably complaining to others, too. That means whatever you tell her during those venting sessions has potential to bite you in the behind later if you’re not careful: She may innocently mention to Sue in accounting, “Rita said she hates when Stephanie emails us at the last minute too!” And Sue in accounting may blab about you, leaving potential for the kvetching to eventually get back to your supervisor.
2. Offer to help: If your coworker is complaining about something that actually affects his or her work, say, that your boss is inattentive, suggest that she contact her directly with questions. If she’s whining about your boss’s breath or something similar, suggest your co-worker bring in mints to share or keep Lysol at her desk (with the excuse that she’s a germaphobe, of course). They key is to offer solutions, because if someone can actively take steps to fix a problem, they’re much less likely to bitch about it (and if they do bitch about it, they’ll feel at least a little bit guiltier for it).
3. Change the subject: Not everyone is going to love every job every day, but there are things that can make a job better or worse. If you hate your job, complaining and venting can help you let off some steam, but doing it constantly is exhausting and distracting. If your colleague starts going on a tirade for the fifth time this week, a friendly “Work talk is boring—did you see Birdman yet?” or “Oh man, that reminds me, I really need to finish XYZ” should nip the conversation in the bud. And if you do that enough times, eventually she’ll get the hint!
4.
It could be frustrating having to listen to a coworker's whining of how life has been unfair to him/her. It gets more annoying when they complain about your boss, especially when you like both your boss and coworker.
This puts your loyalty to test and you really don't want to throw one person under the bus.
Three ways to deal with your co-worker without getting into trouble:
1. Watch your mouth: It’s important to remember that if your co-worker is complaining to you, she’s probably complaining to others, too. That means whatever you tell her during those venting sessions has potential to bite you in the behind later if you’re not careful: She may innocently mention to Sue in accounting, “Rita said she hates when Stephanie emails us at the last minute too!” And Sue in accounting may blab about you, leaving potential for the kvetching to eventually get back to your supervisor.
2. Offer to help: If your coworker is complaining about something that actually affects his or her work, say, that your boss is inattentive, suggest that she contact her directly with questions. If she’s whining about your boss’s breath or something similar, suggest your co-worker bring in mints to share or keep Lysol at her desk (with the excuse that she’s a germaphobe, of course). They key is to offer solutions, because if someone can actively take steps to fix a problem, they’re much less likely to bitch about it (and if they do bitch about it, they’ll feel at least a little bit guiltier for it).
3. Change the subject: Not everyone is going to love every job every day, but there are things that can make a job better or worse. If you hate your job, complaining and venting can help you let off some steam, but doing it constantly is exhausting and distracting. If your colleague starts going on a tirade for the fifth time this week, a friendly “Work talk is boring—did you see Birdman yet?” or “Oh man, that reminds me, I really need to finish XYZ” should nip the conversation in the bud. And if you do that enough times, eventually she’ll get the hint!
4.
Comments
Post a Comment