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Some coworkers are just God sent. You make best friends, you fall in love, you meet your idols, you find your team players to climb up that long career ladder with. They make your lunch breaks less lonely, meetings funnier and deadlines… well, the deadlines are the same no matter what.

But sometimes your coworkers are just the opposite. They make doing your job harder than it already is, and everything in between way less enjoyable. If you are dealing with a coworker like that, let me tell you, you are not the only one. There are millions of people out there handling the most annoying, irrational, or even plain evil colleagues because… well, because it's what you’re supposed to do, right?

So if you're too tired to deal with this on your own, this post compiled by Bored Panda is a safe place to vent and talk about hard things. Pull your seat closer and scroll through the stories about coworkers from hell by sharing your own experiences in the comments below!

And when you're done, more stories about difficult coworkers await in our previous features here and here.

#1

All Of My Coworkers Agreed To Dress Up As Smurfs For Halloween. I'm The Only One To Go Through With It

All Of My Coworkers Agreed To Dress Up As Smurfs For Halloween. I'm The Only One To Go Through With It

Papa_Skittles Report

#2

My Coworker Told Me That Everyone Dressed Up At My Office. Now I’m The Only Person Dressed Like Captain Kirk Amongst Khakis And Polo Shirts

My Coworker Told Me That Everyone Dressed Up At My Office. Now I’m The Only Person Dressed Like Captain Kirk Amongst Khakis And Polo Shirts

DukeMaximum Report

#3

Yesterday This Guy Put Ghost Pepper Popcorn In Our Industrial Microwave At Work For Over 5 Minutes. The Office Was Filled With Black Smoke Burning People's Eyes

Yesterday This Guy Put Ghost Pepper Popcorn In Our Industrial Microwave At Work For Over 5 Minutes. The Office Was Filled With Black Smoke Burning People's Eyes

No one could breathe. He basically maced the building. We were moved to the other end so we could keep working.

StereoShayn Report

Bored Panda spoke with Christine Mitterbauer, a licensed and ICF-approved career coach and serial entrepreneur who shared some great insights on dealing with difficult coworkers. So pull your seat closer.

Mitterbauer said that “it’s important that you stand your ground and don’t let yourself be intimidated by difficult coworkers, whether they’re negative, talking down to you, or making your work difficult in any other way.”

“Of course, you can try to interact as little as possible with the coworker, but that isn’t always possible,” the career coach added. Moreover, a great skill to practice is becoming better at having difficult conversations, she said.

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#4

As A Practical Joke, Some Co-Workers Wrapped My Office In Foil. In The Process, My 30" LCD Monitor Was Accidentally Turned On, And It Boiled Itself

As A Practical Joke, Some Co-Workers Wrapped My Office In Foil. In The Process, My 30" LCD Monitor Was Accidentally Turned On, And It Boiled Itself

Here's what it looked like when I unwrapped it

daroon Report

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zeljkoklaric78_1 avatar
Bernd Herbert
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really hate such blatant waste of resources. The monitor, the tin foil

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#6

My Coworker Lied To My Boss That I Could Cover His Shift

My Coworker Lied To My Boss That I Could Cover His Shift

apollogamez60 Report

When dealing with difficult coworkers, always focus on the behavior you would like to address and which is bothering you, and never go down the road of stating negative traits or characteristics about that person, Mitterbauer argues.

“Stick to negative behavior as that’s more objective and can more easily be verified by everyone involved. Practice exactly what you want to say beforehand, and consider getting other allies on board as well. Sometimes it is necessary to involve management, but it’s often better to only do this once you can demonstrate to the manager what you yourself have attempted to tackle the issue,” she explained.

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#7

I Work At A Place Where At The End Of Shifts We Split The Tips Evenly Between The 2-3 People That Work

I Work At A Place Where At The End Of Shifts We Split The Tips Evenly Between The 2-3 People That Work

We had more than 50$ of tips today and my coworker had to leave about 10 minutes early. She ended up taking all but ~2.50$ and management won't do anything about it.

TMOJBAR Report

#8

Someone Brought This To The Office Potluck

Someone Brought This To The Office Potluck

pasciiii Report

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#9

It's Always A Pleasure To Realize That Your Coworkers Don't Know How To Close A Box Properly... Right When You're Ready To Go Home

It's Always A Pleasure To Realize That Your Coworkers Don't Know How To Close A Box Properly... Right When You're Ready To Go Home

Thunder_SdSh Report

Most people have had coworkers they don’t get along with, Mitterbauer continues, but she says there’s a difference between not being great friends and them making your working life miserable. “When their behavior starts affecting your work and/or you are thinking about this issue in your free time, possibly dreading going to work the next day, that’s when it becomes an issue.”

#10

Coworker Announced That She And Her SO Are Finally Pregnant, I Got Her A Box Of Pastries To Celebrate And When I The Party Was About To Start I Open The Fridge At Work And See This

Coworker Announced That She And Her SO Are Finally Pregnant, I Got Her A Box Of Pastries To Celebrate And When I The Party Was About To Start I Open The Fridge At Work And See This

Weyland223 Report

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#11

My Coworker Put Straight Printer Ink In One Of My Gloves At Work. This Will Take A Week Or Two Minimum To Come Off

My Coworker Put Straight Printer Ink In One Of My Gloves At Work. This Will Take A Week Or Two Minimum To Come Off

xamlax Report

#12

Apparently Someone Has Been Munching My Donuts And It Was Supposed To Be For My Kids After Work

Apparently Someone Has Been Munching My Donuts And It Was Supposed To Be For My Kids After Work

8slipknot8 Report

#13

Came Back To Work So See This Prominently Displayed In A Coworker’s Cube

Came Back To Work So See This Prominently Displayed In A Coworker’s Cube

SchuylarTheCat Report

#14

Coworkers Not Cleaning Their Hands Before Using The Oven Mitts

Coworkers Not Cleaning Their Hands Before Using The Oven Mitts

PandaSushi06 Report

#15

This Is How My Coworker Avoids Taking Out His Garbage

This Is How My Coworker Avoids Taking Out His Garbage

kopo27 Report

#16

I Won A $5 Bet Against My Coworker. I Came Into The Work This Morning To Find This On My Desk. Thanks, Brad

I Won A $5 Bet Against My Coworker. I Came Into The Work This Morning To Find This On My Desk. Thanks, Brad

reddit.com Report

#17

My Colleague Drove With Me In My Company Vehicle. She Left This Piece Of Gum On The Door

My Colleague Drove With Me In My Company Vehicle. She Left This Piece Of Gum On The Door

OriginalAndre Report

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littletyne72 avatar
Scout Finch
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell her she left something in the car or return it by smashing it in the middle of her forehead, but then you'd have to find a way to extract it.

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#18

Coworker Didn't Know How To Take A Screenshot And Decided To Photocopy The Phone

Coworker Didn't Know How To Take A Screenshot And Decided To Photocopy The Phone

Nyroc12 Report

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#19

My Colleague's Desktop

My Colleague's Desktop

rainbowstas Report

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ebryson avatar
Eva Bryson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then they complain to the IT staff about how slow their computer is.

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#20

My Coworker Never Shuts Sharpies All The Way And Wonders Why They Dry Out

My Coworker Never Shuts Sharpies All The Way And Wonders Why They Dry Out

VermicelliNo2422 Report

#22

So Remember My Coworker's Coffee Mug From A Few Weeks Back. Here's The Keyboard

So Remember My Coworker's Coffee Mug From A Few Weeks Back. Here's The Keyboard

Impudicity2001 Report

#23

My Coworker Decided To Put Two Kinds Of Candies Together

My Coworker Decided To Put Two Kinds Of Candies Together

AristonD Report

#24

Coworkers Keep Stealing My Stapler At Work. I've Made It Clear It's Not To Leave My Desk

Coworkers Keep Stealing My Stapler At Work. I've Made It Clear It's Not To Leave My Desk

frankgjnaan Report

#25

Coworker Hit My Car And Acted As If She Didn't Know Who Hit It

Coworker Hit My Car And Acted As If She Didn't Know Who Hit It

namesarentneeded Report

#26

I Think My Coworker Doesn't Like Sharing Anymore

I Think My Coworker Doesn't Like Sharing Anymore

eldelao Report

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sleazyweaver avatar
Sleazy Weaver
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

maybe YOU'RE the a*****e coworker if you think you can just go through your coworker's snacks to the point where they have to write notes to keep you out.

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#28

While Looking For A File In My Coworker's Drawer, I Found This. Thing

While Looking For A File In My Coworker's Drawer, I Found This. Thing

marcish Report

#29

My New Coworker's Company Rental Car

My New Coworker's Company Rental Car

backpackingzack Report

#30

Coworkers Replacing The Paper Towel Roll

Coworkers Replacing The Paper Towel Roll

baking_btch Report

#31

Found At The Communal Coffee Pot At My Corporate Office

Found At The Communal Coffee Pot At My Corporate Office

RUKittenMe99 Report

#32

This Is At My Work. She Does This Every Single Day

This Is At My Work. She Does This Every Single Day

unwittingconfusion Report

#33

Coworker Walks Around The Office Barefoot

Coworker Walks Around The Office Barefoot

Justletmedieplease_ Report

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#35

My Coworker Eats His Pickles Like A Psychopath

My Coworker Eats His Pickles Like A Psychopath

SleepyBoiii90 Report

#36

A Coffee Pot That I Discovered In A Coworker's Office. Wonder What The Inside Is Like At This Point

A Coffee Pot That I Discovered In A Coworker's Office. Wonder What The Inside Is Like At This Point

straightskippy Report

#37

My Coworker Has Been Complaining About Lack Of Available Space On Her Work Computer

My Coworker Has Been Complaining About Lack Of Available Space On Her Work Computer

BadPunsIsHowEyeRoll Report

#38

The Side Of My Coworkers Desk Where They Leave Dead Skin And Nail Clippings

The Side Of My Coworkers Desk Where They Leave Dead Skin And Nail Clippings

pancakeking1012 Report

#40

My Coworker Stocks The Coolers At My Work, And His Dandruff Is On Every Single Can

My Coworker Stocks The Coolers At My Work, And His Dandruff Is On Every Single Can

SlamdolfTheGay Report

#41

Someone Cut The Tops Off The Cinnamon Crunch Bagels At The Office

Someone Cut The Tops Off The Cinnamon Crunch Bagels At The Office

ssjvash Report

#42

When You Are Off For Christmas But Your Colleagues Have To “Work”

When You Are Off For Christmas But Your Colleagues Have To “Work”

toppertd Report

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#43

My Colleagues Marked My Lost Safety Goggles With Permanent Marker

My Colleagues Marked My Lost Safety Goggles With Permanent Marker

BoilersuitBoris Report

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davesmith747474 avatar
Dave Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just go over the writing with a dry wipe marker and then wipe with a paper towel. Comes straight off

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#44

When Your Coworker Tries To Take Two Pallets Down At A Time With A Forklift

When Your Coworker Tries To Take Two Pallets Down At A Time With A Forklift

whatdolknow Report

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alexboomhower_1 avatar
Alex Boomhower
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone broke one box of beer. It smelled awful. I can't even begin to imagine how terrible it must smell here

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#45

A Coworker Tried To Sharpen My Good Kitchen Knifes With An Angle Grinder

A Coworker Tried To Sharpen My Good Kitchen Knifes With An Angle Grinder

gustavotherecliner Report

#46

My Coworker Made Sour Cream And Onion Pringles Cake. Oh God Why

My Coworker Made Sour Cream And Onion Pringles Cake. Oh God Why

auruleful Report

#47

The Interior Of A Coworker's Truck. Just The Tip Of The Iceberg With This Gentleman

The Interior Of A Coworker's Truck. Just The Tip Of The Iceberg With This Gentleman

rockstar4000 Report

#49

My Coworker Needs Her Office Grocery Privileges Taken Away

My Coworker Needs Her Office Grocery Privileges Taken Away

tbreeze21 Report

#50

The Way My Coworker Eats Sushi

The Way My Coworker Eats Sushi

remichelle Report

Note: this post originally had 113 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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