What To Do When A Co-Worker Turns Nasty

A friend of mine laments that work would be great if only there were no other people there! No matter where we work, we will work with others. Often, those relationships are cordial if not friendly, but there can be challenges. You will not love all of your co-workers, and some will be downright nasty.

Bullying doesn't just happen in schools. More frequent incidents of co-workers who bully others are being reported. When co-workers turn nasty it can make for an uncomfortable, if not dangerous, working environment; but there are ways to handle the situation so that it doesn't get out of hand.

Set clear boundaries. If you don't set limits and let the co-worker know that their behavior is unacceptable, you can bet it will continue. Let the offender know that you will not accept their behavior by saying things such as, "It is not okay for you to talk to me like that," or "I don't appreciate being treated this way. I will not tolerate it." This lets the bully know that you will not tolerate such behavior. If it continues, report the bully to your supervisor and company security.

Don't fight back. The saying "Fight fire with fire" in this case is dangerous. Often the bully is simply trying to engage you, so if you fight back it will escalate the situation. If need be, remove yourself from the room and avoid contact with the bully as much as possible. Letting the bully know you will not play their game will often take the fun out of it for them, and they will leave you alone.

The law requires workplaces to be free from hostility. If you have a problem don't just sit back and take it. Make your boundaries clear and let your manager know what is happening. Your manager is responsible for maintaining the peace and calm in the office, but he or she can't if they do not know there is a problem.

You deserve to work in a safe environment. If you find yourself in anything less, be proactive and work on changing it. If being proactive doesn't help, start looking for another position within the organization, or a job with a different company. Unfortunately, if the company tolerates bullying, there is little chance that you will be able to make significant changes. Whatever you do, keep in mind that you don't have to take it. When it comes to bullying, create a no tolerance standard for yourself.

Coach Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD, is a Certified Master Coach specializing in working with business owners and professionals in being more profitable and productive while staying sane and balanced. Coach Lee is the publisher of the award winning e-zine, 365 Days of Coaching. Her first book, 365 Days of Coaching - Because Life Happens Every Day (Universal Publisher, 2004) was named a finalist for Best Book 2004 by Publish.com and has a five star rating on Amazon.com.

Visit Coach Lee at her websites http://www.coachlee.com and http://www.365daysofcoaching.com

True Direction, Inc. Copyright
>>>This article along with byline attached may be freely republished


More Resources

Are You Eking Out a Living, and Cant Get What You Want from a Job?
Many people are working at jobs they don't wantand they hate to go there every day. Are you oneof them?Let's start by examining how you got into this kindof "pickle" to begin with.
Supplement Your Skills and Improve Your Work Position
It is often said that the majority of people are but a few checks away from homelessness. Without a consistent income, this may be a true statement.
Writing A Great Resume, Part 2
TIP: Update your resume often. Be sure to add details of any training course, new interests and areas of responsibility.
Dont Stop! Your Transition is Still Moving!
Q. I'm looking for a new job and plan to work with a career consultant next month.
Ten Healthcare Fields That Cant Wait To Hire You
Healthcare is one of the hottest career fields in America today. The aging and retiring of the largest population segment in the country, known as "baby boomers", has left the healthcare industry racing to find enough employees to fill the void.
How to Use Flow In The Job Search
What is "flow"? Flow as described by thepsychology professor and educator,Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is a state of being andbehavior. The behavior is one of complete absorption in a task.
How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?
Do you think that there is a big sign that reads, "Freelance Writing Jobs, Apply Within"? There just is not. In fact, you may have a hard time finding writing jobs of any type advertised in any employment magazine or newspaper either.
Surviving Office Politics
It's your first month in a new position and it's rougher going than you'd anticipated. You feel like an outsider and you're miserable.
Salary, Raises, & Perks: Negotiate to Get Paid What Youre Worth!
Salary negotiation requires preparation and good timing. It's important to determine your salary needs and research the market value for the job you want.
Three Tips for Successful Networking
I generally shy away from using the word "networking" when it comes to our business. As professional "headhunters", we are constantly practicing and performing the art of networking in our daily operations.
Get A New Job - Career Choices
Career change is tough but rewardingThere are a number of reasons why people might be due for a career change:? They don't like their current career. Maybe they took the job because they needed money at the time and it was the only work they could find to pay the bills.
Yesterdays Hero
Wonder Woman makes it looks so easy. She gets up every morning, fights the good fight, calls it a day, and starts the whole process all over again.
Need a Job? Put a Gun to Your Head
A legendary marketing genius once said that, if he had to write a killer sales letter, he would imagine he had a gun pointed at his head and that he would be shot if his advertising didn't deliver.This motivated him to create some of the world's most-profitable ads.
Networking Masterclass - Part 1 - Practicing Empathy
Practicing Empathy - A vital part of your networking skills is your ability to build rapport quickly and effectively with others. To build rapport successfully with another individual you need to understand 'where' they are coming from and have 'empathy' with them.
You Are Lucky in Your Career!
You Are Lucky in Being Satisfied in Your CareerJust for fun let's you and I, reader, considerthat you are satisifed with your current career.It's good to find out why.
How to Reach Outside Yourself to Advance Your Career
When flipping the channels of your TV, you are bound to come across a Public Service Announcement (PSA) endorsed by a celebrity asking children to approach their parents, teachers, or someone they trust when they are at a crossroads. Through these PSAs, children are told that asking for guidance, encouragement, and support is a sign of strength.
Ive Got the Big Bad B Word on My Job!
That "B" word---B O R E D O M.How did I get this wearing word in my work?I got it because I don't have enough todo in my job! Yes, I have completed myassigned tasks, but I have time left over,which leads to boredom.
How To Establish Trust, Credibility and Enthusiasm To Your Interviewer
If you use your voice to get attention, you use your eyes to hold attention. People tend to believe you, trust you, and listen to what you say if you are looking at them.
No Degree, No Problem
According to a recent survey, 52% of job candidates polled lied on their resume about having a college degree. Here are 3 brief horror stories: A new Director of Logistics and his family were actually loading the moving van provided by his new employer for relocation from California to North Carolina.
Prepare for YOUR Future now --
All Presidential candidates (before and after) make all kinds of promises about YOUR 'social security' when running for the top job. Regardless of the promises, YOU are the one who has to live or die by the future plans made on your behalf.

More Careers & Employment Information:

Related Articles

How to Write a Scientific Resume


You're a scientist, you're very well educated, you're intelligent, and so writing your own résumé should be easy, correct? I mean, how hard could it be? Especially if you have written your own thesis or dissertation in the past, you may feel that you can save the $300 bucks (or however much it costs, even if it is a tax deduction!) and simply do it yourself. The answer to this may surprise you?Sometimes you can write your own résumé, and write it well.

How You Can Find Freelance Writing Employment


How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven skills that can propel you in the right direction? If so, then why are you looking for fresh vacancies? The best tool to those who have employment histories is to look to the companies that you have already worked for. There, they can help provide you with more work, or point you in the right direction.

Why Well Produced Career Portfolios Are Replacing CVs


What is a Career Portfolio?The original portfolio used by artists looking for work was simply a collection of works demonstrative of the artists style and ability. Because their works varied in size and shape, portfolios came in all sizes and shapes.

How To Write A Résumé


Figure out what you want to do.You can't write an effective résumé if you have no job target.

10 Tips For Writing A Professional Résumé


1. Start with an attractive layout.

Common Résumé Mistakes


Using a general résumé.DON'T DO IT! You cannot successfully use the same résumé to apply to several different jobs.

The Hidden Agenda of Interviews


It's Not What They Ask - The Hidden Agenda of InterviewsWhat do you think you're going to an interview for? To list your qualifications and discuss what's on your resume? That's just the tip of the iceberg, and you're the Titanic if you don't go in with at least an idea of what is behind their questions.Sure, there are the standard questions, because the basic information has to be conveyed some way, and besides reading your resume, they like to see you sweat and whether you can be caught out with any inconsistencies between what is on paper, and what comes out of your mouth.

Just Graduated? HR Pros Think You're Lazy and Disloyal


You think you know, but you have no idea.

Discount Retailer Plans Hiring Events


The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported the addition of 165,000 jobs in April and a national unemployment average of 7.5 percent.

Want a Job Interview? Fire Your Resume


With almost 4 billion resumes distributed annually, there's growing frustration among job seekers that they are blending into the competitive landscape.

Observations From the Field: Changes in Mechanical Engineering


The face of mechanical engineering is changing -- dramatically. Engineers aged 55 to 60 are retiring, taking vital knowledge with them.

The GRE Tests Give Students More Options than Ever


Accepted by more institutions than any other graduate admissions test, the GRE revised General Test now provides more options and opportunities for test takers.

Engineering Field Sees Low Unemployment, Higher Pay


When faced with an intimidating job market and sizeable student loans, students must give serious thought to which college degrees will help ensure a job with a substantial salary.

Finding a Way to Increase College Persistence


It's great to get low-income students to college, but what if they drop out during their first year?

New Career Opportunities Abound as Dependency on Computer Technology Grows


In personal and professional life, computer technology impacts even the simplest, everyday tasks.