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30 People Who Refused To Let Toxic Coworkers Get Away With It
Interview With Expert
We've all had that colleague at some point in our careers who constantly gets under our skin. They come in many forms: the chronic credit stealer, the passive-aggressive small talker, or the one who somehow always forgets to clean the toilet after dropping a messy b**b in the office bathroom.
We try to stay professional, take the h**h road, maybe even k**l them with kindness, but if they don't change, eventually we're just done. What happens then? Depends on our pettiness level.
However, in response to a person on X (formerly Twitter) asking for the most unhinged methods to shut down those energy vampires, workers put forward a lot of interesting ideas for when HR isn't looking.
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#2
Lizzy Lizzard 9 months ago
I never badmouth anyone at work, always aim to be positive and cooperative. The rare times I've lost my cool, my coworkers have taken it seriously and automatically been on my side.
Peter Bear 9 months ago
Unalive them with kindness. Works every time, because mean people can't fathom kindness. It makes them paranoid.
To learn just how important our relationships at work are, we contacted Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume, a platform that provides useful tools and expert advice for job seekers.
"Coworkers play a major role in our overall job satisfaction, and according to a survey by MyPerfectResume, 73% of workers believe that workplace friendships boost collaboration, job satisfaction, and productivity," she told Bored Panda.
Escalera said having strong relationships at work helps employees and teams feel more connected, supported, and motivated. "When you're working alongside people you enjoy being around, it's easier to collaborate, communicate, and navigate challenges."
#3
#4
ॐBoyGanesh 9 months ago
My go-to is to make a quizzical look, pause for a beat then say, “interesting” as I turn & walk away. The alternative is the same puppy dog quizzical look then, “how’s that working out for you?” Followed by a stone silent gaze as I wait for an answer.
More specifically, data from MyPerfectResume shows that 46% of employees say workplace friendships directly increase collaboration, while 42% report they lead to higher job satisfaction, and 38% note a boost in productivity.
So, Escalera pointed out, workplace friendships are about more than just chit-chat. "They can improve how we work, how we feel, and how we grow in our careers," she explained.
However, if you're surrounded by people who irritate you, even the most exciting job can start to feel draining, and motivation can quickly fade.
#6
Petra Peitsch 9 months ago (edited)
People at work are not your friends. They are just people with who you are trying to get along for a period. You help, sure. Once. Twice. Third time he/she is on their own.
#8
Sven Horlemann 9 months ago
Colleagues are not friends. Though you can have a friendly, healthy relationship.
The survey by MyPerfectResume discovered that workplace relationships also present several challenges that can impact our everyday routines:
- 31% of workers say workplace friendships worsen their work-life balance;
- 29% report decreased motivation;
- 28% feel their job satisfaction decreases due to workplace friendships;
- 25% feel personal ties compromise their decision-making;
- 23% say workplace friendships have impacted their sense of belonging at work.
#12
By far the most significant concern arising from these relationships is favoritism. It occurs when certain employees receive preferential treatment based on personal connections or biases rather than their job performance or merit.
Favoritism can create perceptions of inequality and erode trust among colleagues, negatively affecting team dynamics and morale.
MyPerfectResume found that 70% of workers frequently observe this issue, and only 1% of respondents reported never witnessing favoritism in their workplace.
If you are unhappy with how things are going between you and your colleague but do not want to resort to tactics seen on this list, know that there are more constructive and respectful ways to address your problems. (Provided your coworkers are open to dialogue, of course!)
"Improving relationships with colleagues doesn’t mean becoming workplace besties. It's about being intentional in how you communicate and connect with others," career expert Jasmine Escalera said.
"Employees who want to build more meaningful relationships can start by checking in with colleagues about work tasks, offering support, and showing appreciation. A simple 'Thank you' can go a long way ... These small, consistent actions generate trust and make colleagues feel seen, supported, and valued."
Escalera said another powerful way to improve your work relationships is through collaboration. "Look for opportunities to partner with colleagues on projects or ask for their input. Doing so shows you respect their expertise and desire to work as a unified team," she suggested.
"Employees can also ask colleagues for career advice to show they value their perspective and experience. This outreach can spark deeper conversations and lay the foundation for career-building relationships like mentorship and sponsorship."
#24
#25
Lyoness 9 months ago
Sadly this can make you an outcast and create a very uncomfortable working environment. I've worked in one too many mean girl companies and while I was happy to leave work at work and keep to myself, I also learned if you're not in the "in crowd" you end up losing out on work opportunities. You don't need to be a water cooler c*nt, just take a few minutes now and then to say hi and ask how people are doing, even if you don't GAS.
Even a simple conversation at the coffee machine can help you build rapport. Escalera said, "Great questions to ask colleagues to create meaningful relationships are 'What helped you get to your current role?' or 'What advice would you give someone navigating a similar path?' People are often pleased to share their journey to inspire someone else's path."
#27
Tabitha 9 months ago
I hate it when managers try s**t like that, wanting everyone to be happy and talking and smiling. It’s usually the shittiest managers who make everyone miserable who expect that charade—-usually when they know the big bosses will be passing through and seeing their department in action. Like some kind of corporate Potemkin Village or something (oh just Google it, ffs).
#29
sweet emotion 9 months ago
Please do not weaponize scents in the office. It may annoy the person you dislike, but at the same time it could cause allergy or asthma issues for an innocent bystander.
#32
Tabitha 9 months ago
Often because it’s so hard to fire people from government jobs—-or at least it used to be—-that the worst of them knew they could act any way they wanted, once their probationary period was over, and in government work that could be a full year, and it would be like pulling teeth to get them fired. Unfortunate, but true.
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What do you think ?
Lizzy Lizzard 9 months ago
Some of these are great advice (keeping professional, remaining kind and calm) while others sounds like they're the toxic coworker
Baba Caine 9 months ago
I did something like this when worked in office, I give same story out to people I trusted but the ones I didn't I give same story with different ending , then when the gossip started I knew who was the mega gossip as it was the ending g I told said person (clare)
Vinnie 9 months ago
Some of these strategies are basic self-defense against toxic people or ways of deflecting time wasters. A few are juvenile pranks (but they may keep certain colleagues from wasting one's time and energy). It's hard to justify using laxatives to sicken people, it's not as if poisoning colleagues is the only escape from a crappy workplace.
Lyoness 9 months ago
I used to work for Satan. I swear this woman was born in Hades in raised in the seventh circle she was so evil. Nothing was ever good enough no matter how many times she reviewed it. I would literally be on version 16 of something because she kept changing her mind about where a period should go. It was a great job otherwise so I stayed for the money and the experience but I should have left years before I did, we simply couldn't afford it until I found something else. And when I resigned she couldn't figure out why.
whiterabbit 9 months ago (edited)
Not my coworker but our boss, quite literally the worst human I've ever gotten to know. He decided to sell out to a corporation so now he has bosses. Well it didn't take long before corporate started hating him as much as our staff does thanks to him treating them just as bad as he does us and our patients. Now the staff openly disrespects him, he constantly complains about us to corporate and they completely ignore him. Now we basically walk all over him, ignore him and he can't do anything about it because he's a terrible person 😂 it's great.
Peter Bear 9 months ago
Document everything. This is the best way I know to deal with toxic bosses, especially the micromanaging sort. Just keep a little note pad on you, and every conversation, get it out and write down date and time and a quick little reminder of what the interaction was about. Now if they try to call you out on something, you have documentation, and they don't. Or, if they start to document everything... you play dumb and ask why they're so obsessed with you that they have to document everything, and then they look like a lunatic. Win/win.
sweet emotion 9 months ago
I had one coworker who I liked enough to take an interest in her kids' activities, so I would occasionally stop to chat with her - very quietly. Inevitably, just like in a game of whack-a-mole, her neighbor would pop up to join the conversation. After a few episodes like this, I would just say "I'll catch you later," to my friend, ignored the mole, and walked away. (explained my reasoning to my friend later, she was totally on board!)
Jill Waters 9 months ago
I had a group of co workers go to the manager to say I wasn’t pulling my weight in the office! This is after doing their work and my own when they were on leave, also defending them and protecting them from toxic workers! So I gave up and left them to it. They couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t speak up for them in the coming months. I left them to it, got head down and did my job. One by one they came crawling/sucking up to me! The damage was done though. No more doing the extra things for them.
Lizzy Lizzard 9 months ago
Some of these are great advice (keeping professional, remaining kind and calm) while others sounds like they're the toxic coworker
Baba Caine 9 months ago
I did something like this when worked in office, I give same story out to people I trusted but the ones I didn't I give same story with different ending , then when the gossip started I knew who was the mega gossip as it was the ending g I told said person (clare)
Vinnie 9 months ago
Some of these strategies are basic self-defense against toxic people or ways of deflecting time wasters. A few are juvenile pranks (but they may keep certain colleagues from wasting one's time and energy). It's hard to justify using laxatives to sicken people, it's not as if poisoning colleagues is the only escape from a crappy workplace.
Lyoness 9 months ago
I used to work for Satan. I swear this woman was born in Hades in raised in the seventh circle she was so evil. Nothing was ever good enough no matter how many times she reviewed it. I would literally be on version 16 of something because she kept changing her mind about where a period should go. It was a great job otherwise so I stayed for the money and the experience but I should have left years before I did, we simply couldn't afford it until I found something else. And when I resigned she couldn't figure out why.
whiterabbit 9 months ago (edited)
Not my coworker but our boss, quite literally the worst human I've ever gotten to know. He decided to sell out to a corporation so now he has bosses. Well it didn't take long before corporate started hating him as much as our staff does thanks to him treating them just as bad as he does us and our patients. Now the staff openly disrespects him, he constantly complains about us to corporate and they completely ignore him. Now we basically walk all over him, ignore him and he can't do anything about it because he's a terrible person 😂 it's great.
Peter Bear 9 months ago
Document everything. This is the best way I know to deal with toxic bosses, especially the micromanaging sort. Just keep a little note pad on you, and every conversation, get it out and write down date and time and a quick little reminder of what the interaction was about. Now if they try to call you out on something, you have documentation, and they don't. Or, if they start to document everything... you play dumb and ask why they're so obsessed with you that they have to document everything, and then they look like a lunatic. Win/win.
sweet emotion 9 months ago
I had one coworker who I liked enough to take an interest in her kids' activities, so I would occasionally stop to chat with her - very quietly. Inevitably, just like in a game of whack-a-mole, her neighbor would pop up to join the conversation. After a few episodes like this, I would just say "I'll catch you later," to my friend, ignored the mole, and walked away. (explained my reasoning to my friend later, she was totally on board!)
Jill Waters 9 months ago
I had a group of co workers go to the manager to say I wasn’t pulling my weight in the office! This is after doing their work and my own when they were on leave, also defending them and protecting them from toxic workers! So I gave up and left them to it. They couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t speak up for them in the coming months. I left them to it, got head down and did my job. One by one they came crawling/sucking up to me! The damage was done though. No more doing the extra things for them.
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