Dealing with Difficult People: Co-workers

It is true that some of the most difficult people one may encounter throughout the work day can be co-workers. For a variety of reasons, co-workers can be disruptive or generally create problems in the workplace. If you are finding that a co-worker is generating an unpleasant atmosphere, it is not a situation that must simply be tolerated; most co-worker issues can be handled easily and quickly if they are dealt with properly.

First, precisely pinpoint the situation. Write down the problem and think about the issue before you attempt to resolve it. Determine if the difficulty is serious enough to risk an altercation. Is your co-worker’s email alert too loud for your liking? Does her gum chewing annoy you? Is his favorite lunch of sardines and limburger too much for your nostrils? These types of small matters should fall into the ‘grin and bear it’ category as most are representative of the personality quirks that make us human.

If you find that the difficulty with your co-worker is more than simple human annoyances, and that the situation is interfering with a productive workplace, you are well within your rights to seek a resolution. Determine first if the matter goes against workplace policy; if it does not, then your first effort should be to confront the co-worker in person, face-to-face. Tell this person directly what the issue is, why it should be addressed, and how it can be changed. For example, “John, your personal phone calls are disruptive to me and to our customers. Could you take those calls in the break room instead?” If co-workers refuse to alter their behavior, consider taking the issue to management in order to reach a resolution. Sometimes, this is the only way to achieve a change.

Lastly, there are some co-worker issues that require an immediate interference from management. If a co-worker is exhibiting unstable behavior or is acting out in ways that are abusive or harassing, documentation of the events should be kept and superiors informed immediately.

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