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Knowing how to deal with frustrating people comes in handy in all areas of life, especially at work, where we spend the majority of our precious time. However, addressing problematic behaviors of colleagues often requires confidence, courage, and a dash of creativity, which is a combination that isn’t always easy to channel when confronting someone. To help out those who might be struggling with dealing with difficult coworkers or just need a bit of a push, we’re featuring ways other people managed to do so that worked wonders. Scroll down to find these instances below, and don’t forget to upvote ones that truly deserve a nod of respect.
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#1
I work in a kitchen with all men. One throws a fit over EVERYTHING, full tantrums. One day I said “big feelings huh buddy? Do you need help calming down or can you work it out on your own?” And he has Never thrown a tantrum around me again (though I hear they still happen just not around me) I take it as a win. Mind you he is 41 and I’m 32 😂😂😂
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#2
Found out she hated the smell of eucalyptus. Got the eucalyptus set from bath & body works and. WENT. TO. TOWN. I’m talking using the body wash & lotion every day & the room spray every 20-30min She stopped coming into that office space and would only send me emails. Didn’t lay eyes on her for like 3mos 🤣 honestly my stress decreased so much
#3
When they say something ridiculous, I look them dead in the eye and say ‘what an odd thing to say’ and hold that stare just a little too long. The sheer panic is my reward.
85% of working people have faced a frustrating coworker, according to Kickresume’s 2024 survey. This means that tips and hacks on how to deal with them should be useful for a lot of us out there.
That's why we previously reached out to workplace culture experts Connie Kurczewski, Robina Bhasin, and Josh Hart to ask for some guidance on how to manage difficult colleagues.
#4
“Just the facts please” when they start to rant. Say in mid sentence for bonus points.
#5
I arrived early, took a screenshot of her desktop, then removed all the icons on her computer and replaced the background with the screenshot. She called IT to the office. It took all day to "fix."
The Mediterranean Fruit 7 months ago
I knew someone like this. And she was always diagnosing herself with various illnesses so that she could complain and get attention.
#6
Be professional to an extreme and completely impersonal. No pleasantries. No small talk. Not an ounce more than what is required.
Kenneth Smith 7 months ago
I actually do this. I'm polite, I'm respectful, I'm courteous, and I try with all sincerity to be the guy you want working on your team, but to many, I'm not friendly. I will not let toxic people get anywhere near me, emotionally. It's not how I used to be. I use to be much more outgoing. Then I realized that I'm better off without the people who are s****y to me.
"You want to start by observing patterns and writing things down," said Kurczewski. "It is easier to have a productive conversation when you can point to specific examples. If you are a peer, speak up respectfully and directly. Be clear about what is not working.
If you are a leader, do not wait. The longer you let it go, the more damage it causes. One of the most common mistakes I see is avoiding difficult conversations. But those conversations are what protect the culture, the team, and ultimately the business."
#7
I (fake) befriended him at work, gaslit him into thinking he’s way too good for here and he’s wasting his talents, kept sending him job offers, within 5 weeks he was gone
#8
My ex boss was on a weight loss journey and hated me. So everyday at lunch I brought back her favorite candy bar and offered her one
#9
I gentle parent grown adults. 'Hey buddy, they're some big feelings you're having' 'it's ok to mad but it's not OK to be mean' 'are you angry or sad? do you know why? because you didn't do your job?'
Peter Bear 7 months ago
This sort of thing works wonders, especially if you happen to be just a little bit younger than the one throwing the tantrum.
"It's important to be clear about what’s bothering you and how it affects your work," Hart proposed. "Setting clear boundaries and getting support from HR or a mentor can also help. And keep track of any incidents, just in case you need to show a pattern of behavior to someone higher up."
#10
I tell them made up stories cause I know they’ll tell everyone. Then when someone asks me about it I tell them I have no idea what they are talking about & show them evidence proving it’s not true.
#11
She trauma dumps every day I finally had it and said “you should talk to a therapist not us , they’re the professional”
#12
"you're not good enough at your job to have an ego that big". worked a treat.
Meanwhile, Bhasin added by saying that, "Except in situations where an employee has been abusive toward other employees, I typically begin by seeking to understand where the person is coming from - what does the world look like from their perspective?
With this insight, I help them deepen their self-awareness and see the impact of their actions on others. With this greater self-awareness, the employee often chooses a path of self-improvement to build more positive relationships with colleagues. And if they are not willing to make changes, there is a separate conversation about their future in the company that needs to happen," she concluded.
#14
I was ignored, isolated & gaslit for 5 years. Bought my time played nice pretended I didn’t notice until one day I dropped a bomb. Went direct to the top massive complaint, 5y of evidence. Stayed Long enough to watch the fall out. Then handed in my notice citing ‘toxic workplace'
#15
"is this something you plan to do for the rest of your career?" but in a concerning way that makes them actually question themselves
#16
I had a boss with serious Napoleon (short man syndrome). He belittled everyone else. When he went on vacation, I removed all the furniture from his office and replaced it with doll’s house furniture.
#17
learned how to cry on command so next time he said something outrageously rude i turned on the tears, made him panic and feel super guilty for like a week
#18
I played nice, so nice, that they’re really nice to me now too. But I haven’t forgotten. I’ll always remember. Waiting…waiting
#19
He was homophobic so i said i was gay, set my phones wallpaper of me and my best friend kissing and i made like a whole new personality only for him. He hated me so much. I enjoyed every second.
Mel in Georgia 7 months ago
My husband worked with a racist guy. After one comment he said, "You know, I don't appreciate what you're saying - my wife is black." That shut him up quick. (I am not, but loved this!)
#20
If you gotta snitch on them DONT SHOW ANY EMOTION. Basically say “i followed protocol and received this response. May you provide feedback on how to deal with these cases?”
Kenneth Smith 7 months ago
Unless it's something really serious, I don't name names. I simply show my boss a picture of what I'm looking at and let him go from there. I'm not reporting stuff to get anyone in trouble. There's simply an issue that needs addressed and I generally don't care who is responsible for it.
#21
I just stopped speaking to them unless absolutely necessary legit just pretend they don’t exist unless I have to
Michael Largey 7 months ago
The year before I retired, I stopped speaking to my principal. Even though I was retiring, he insisted on observing me and doing a formal evaluation. When he came in my room and went over the evaluation, I just stared at him in silence until he got up and left.
#22
We were 2 person team. He was a deadweight, I carried the team alone for 12 months. We won Best Team of the year, he smiled too widely and it filled me with rage. I quit. They fired him 2mths later.
#23
Replied to every one of their passive-aggressive emails with ‘per my last email’ and CC’d their boss😇
#24
She hates Starbucks for personal reasons so when I buy it I make sure the logo of the cup is facing her way.
#25
I’m uncomfortably direct. “I feel like I’ve noticed some tension in our working relationship and I’m wondering if i’ve done something to upset you” (I didn’t- tehe) and just watch them panic.
#26
Stay friendly, but document every time they are unprofessional at work, include witnesses and dates. Report findings to leadership when necessary.
#27
Positive gossip! If they are badmouthing you behind your back people will ask you about them to find the tea, just be respectful, compliment them (don’t over do it) and they will look bad instead
#28
I did t do this but I had a colleague who would refuse to interact directly with this one guy and would make him interact with a glove puppet This may or may not or may have happened on the london trading floor of a Swiss reinsurance company in the 1990s.
#29
Always offered to cover their holidays and would speed through their work load & then complain to the manager that they weren’t working efficiently & show them the amount of their work I completed.
geezeronthehill 7 months ago
I subbed for the company courier periodically. Nice guy, so I always did the runs at his pace. Considering what we were paid, there was no sense raising expectations.
#30
Plugged in an extra wireless mouse where they couldn’t see the fob. I’d move the curser when they were in the middle of things so that they’d have to retype it jump all over the screen
#31
I worked at a school, she was a teacher that made my little sister cry during her class. I quietly went in and whispered the most unhinged stuff to her and then smiled politely and walked out……
#32
One lady stomped thru the office when she’s mad. I said FEE-FI-FO-FUM HERE SHE COMES! When she came to me I told her no one cares about the tantrum you’re having. She quit 👋🏼
Sarah 7 months ago (edited)
I don’t believe this for a minute. Surely other colleagues complained or the lady in question. I really doubt she upped and quit without lodging a Disciplinary action against you. That’s bullying . You shouldn’t be proud of yourself. also, I doubt you have the seniority/importance to cause someone to quit.. you sound like a junior both professionally and personally
#33
I put this goose app on his laptop that steals your cursor and he’s bad at his job, bad at technology, and too on his high horse to ask for help so he hasn’t managed to fix it (it’s been 3 weeks)
#34
Malicious compliance
Peter Bear 7 months ago
This is absolutely the best approach. Do ONLY what you are asked to do, nothing less but nothing more, EXACTLY according to the rules.
#35
My coworker would do NOTHING, literally no work.. and would steal my work to take credit with clients. So I password protected it all and cc’d her into EVERY email as point of contact. Then eventually she had so much work, she kept asking for the password. She missed deadlines and got sacked finally
#36
Never let them finish a conversation. Always walk off before it’s over so they know that they’re wasting my time with their presence
chris Cannon 7 months ago
Way to get back at someone by leaving them alone. It's probably what they're hoping for all along.
#37
I applied for every weird job available and used their work email and our bosses phone number to call him.
#38
Became their boss. they HATED that.
#39
I would stare at someone's forehead because they got massive frown lines whenever they had a tantrum, it used to throw them off 😅
#40
I found out my supervisor was insecure about her thinning hair so once a week i would ask her if she had done something different to her hair, but have a confused look on my face.
#41
I put my two weeks in and said I was quitting because I couldn’t stand working next to someone who doesn’t work and they fired the other person to keep me AND bumped my pay $20k a year
#42
i kinda just go nonverbal lol
chris Cannon 7 months ago
What an elaborate scheme. I'm sure not having to hear you talk really drives people crazy.
#43
I just act delusional like they have no problem with me. It forces them to show everyone what type of person they really are and they fall on their own.
#44
every single day i’d ask her if she was okay because she looked like she’d been crying (she didn’t)
#45
Do petty things that they get mad over but cant express their anger because they will be seen as the villain. While being nice in their face
chris Cannon 7 months ago
You've just regurgitated the title without providing any information.
#46
She’s a narcissist so I trigger all of her narcissistic traits
Brian Herold 7 months ago
Okay, but HOW did you trigger them? The lack of details makes this seem fake.
#47
1) I keep stealing the staples out her stapler, 2) stole the page measurer thing from her punch hole, 3) put her last in the list of names in email, 4) never answer her phone, 5) got a better job!
Wild Cream 7 months ago
I’ve actually had people complain to me about #3 😂 “why did you put my email last?”
#48
They hired guys that peaked in Highschool who kept trying to bully me, so I stopped taking adhd medication and started drinking half a pot of coffee every shift … the chaos was glorious
Orange Frosting 7 months ago
What? But ADHD medicine is a stimulant, as is caffeine, so this doesn't make sense. Also, I call B S on someone not taking their meds just to spite other people. I dont have ADHD, but my understanding is that it's a nightmare to live with when not controlled. Someone correct me on all this if I'm wrong.
#49
I made my manager cry during my performance review. I ended up telling him that I felt he would be happier in a different position outside of our organization.
#50
I would get in before them and lower their desk chair all the way to the ground and move their keyboard a foot to the left, and raise the monitors. I would gaslight them and be like “no that’s how “No that’s how your desk always is”. They quit after me doing this 2 months straight every day.
What do you think ?
ToGo 7 months ago
Wonder how many of these people are actually the bully/asshöle but they just don't see their own faults.
Littlemiss 7 months ago
Yeah my first thought was if it was done to you - would you think it was funny and okay too? Most would not be happy with the same treatment.
Load More Replies... Orange Frosting 7 months ago
I call B S on a lot of these. I don't believe there are many people who would truly do stuff like this, except in their fantasies.
Peter Bear 7 months ago
I don't have time for pettiness in the workplace. Not from co-workers, not from management. I'm here to do my job, get paid, go home. And I don't get paid anywhere near enough.
SlightlyTarnished 7 months ago
Life is too short for these d**k moves. Better off not playing into the drama, being an adult is so much easier.
StayC 7 months ago
No 3, would you do that to a recovering alcoholic? You're a c**t, no wonder she hated you
Wild Cream 7 months ago
The order of the posts in the list changes quite often depend on upvotes/downvotes, you might want to be more specific
Load More Replies...
Tonyah Mcanelly 7 months ago
A few weeks a go this girl who recently started dating one of the higherups in the company decided to quit . I am the lead in the department so as so as I heard this I scrambled to find proper coverage . The very next day she decided to recind her esignation . one of the girls who was promised the extra hours needed them so While I was in my bosses office the other girl we promised hours to ask if she could have the one day promised to her my supervisor said yes I was working the other day just because we didnt have coverage. So i told the girl who recinded she will not be working the saturday and sunday hours because when she resigned they were promised another person ( I was working saturday an d another girl took sunday ) I was going to give her back the saturday hours until she went to her boyfriend who is a higher up he came at me something fierce about her not getting her hours. because she played the boyfriend card. I got approved OT for her shift .
Poppy 7 months ago
I had one colleague annoyed with me who kept ignoring me. I would just talk to her like I usually would, she would just grunt or give one word responses. Eventually she realised she couldn't freeze me out as I was my usual self with her and she ended up back to normal within a month.
Lee Gilliland 7 months ago
Only in the military. Entire dorm had a real problem with one woman, so we pooled uniforms. So one week her uniform kept getting tighter...and tighter...then looser..and looser.....she finally caught on when she started to shrink.
Kaedyn Walsh 7 months ago
I don't know. I kinda had more fun in this article hovering my mouse over the pics and reading the descriptions that popped up. They're HYSTERICAL. Whoever did those doesn't know how to do them correctly, but they were still very amusing.
ToGo 7 months ago
Wonder how many of these people are actually the bully/asshöle but they just don't see their own faults.
Littlemiss 7 months ago
Yeah my first thought was if it was done to you - would you think it was funny and okay too? Most would not be happy with the same treatment.
Load More Replies... Orange Frosting 7 months ago
I call B S on a lot of these. I don't believe there are many people who would truly do stuff like this, except in their fantasies.
Peter Bear 7 months ago
I don't have time for pettiness in the workplace. Not from co-workers, not from management. I'm here to do my job, get paid, go home. And I don't get paid anywhere near enough.
SlightlyTarnished 7 months ago
Life is too short for these d**k moves. Better off not playing into the drama, being an adult is so much easier.
StayC 7 months ago
No 3, would you do that to a recovering alcoholic? You're a c**t, no wonder she hated you
Wild Cream 7 months ago
The order of the posts in the list changes quite often depend on upvotes/downvotes, you might want to be more specific
Load More Replies... Tonyah Mcanelly 7 months ago
A few weeks a go this girl who recently started dating one of the higherups in the company decided to quit . I am the lead in the department so as so as I heard this I scrambled to find proper coverage . The very next day she decided to recind her esignation . one of the girls who was promised the extra hours needed them so While I was in my bosses office the other girl we promised hours to ask if she could have the one day promised to her my supervisor said yes I was working the other day just because we didnt have coverage. So i told the girl who recinded she will not be working the saturday and sunday hours because when she resigned they were promised another person ( I was working saturday an d another girl took sunday ) I was going to give her back the saturday hours until she went to her boyfriend who is a higher up he came at me something fierce about her not getting her hours. because she played the boyfriend card. I got approved OT for her shift .
Poppy 7 months ago
I had one colleague annoyed with me who kept ignoring me. I would just talk to her like I usually would, she would just grunt or give one word responses. Eventually she realised she couldn't freeze me out as I was my usual self with her and she ended up back to normal within a month.
Lee Gilliland 7 months ago
Only in the military. Entire dorm had a real problem with one woman, so we pooled uniforms. So one week her uniform kept getting tighter...and tighter...then looser..and looser.....she finally caught on when she started to shrink.
Kaedyn Walsh 7 months ago
I don't know. I kinda had more fun in this article hovering my mouse over the pics and reading the descriptions that popped up. They're HYSTERICAL. Whoever did those doesn't know how to do them correctly, but they were still very amusing.
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