How do you deal with offensive/intolerable co-workers? I have one who has harassed and bullied me, and seems obsessed
She flipped out a couple of months ago, yelling all her hate, insulting me and being a big bully. I've reported it to my boss and her boss. She's upset that I reported her. I ignore it completely, but she still starts in with her rants and raves. This past week or so, she's become more hostile towards me. I'm just doing the work my boss gives me - he has no problem with me. She says she's out to sabotage me any way she can. She wants everyone to think she's so wonderful and virginal, her kids are the best and most behaved. Everyone else has a problem, not her.
7 Answers to "How do you deal with offensive/intolerable co-workers? I have one who has harassed and bullied me, and seems obsessed"
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Go to HR. Start recording what she says to you verbatim. Email the conversations to HR and yourself. If you can, have another coworker around the next time she comes after you. Eyewitnesses help your case.
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Spread a rumor that she's an extra-terrestrial alien!!
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lol But not stooping to a hater's level.
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That's smart. Because then things will just escalate!
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This is a perfect instance for using the business saying: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." It won't work to continue hating each other. It might work well to befriend this person and keep them on your side.
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Not interested in being her friend. With friends like that, who needs enemies.
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You aren't understanding the intent of the saying. It's a fake friendship that you create - so that you can survive in the workplace. Otherwise, you are screwed.
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Document every confrontation or instance where her behaviour is unprofessional for a starters, and keep both of your bosses in the loop.
I've worked with two psychopaths. The first I walked away from, because this can be your only option.
The second one I was better prepared for, plus she was well known to all the other staff for her unstable behaviour. I attempted to shut her down by remaining professional even when she went off the rails, but she got worse.
I kept my boss in the loop and he was supportive, but when I'd about had enough I saw her bosses also and informed them that I would leave my position if I had to keep working with her.
So when she actually snapped one evening, I knew I had the support of my boss to cut the cord, and I informed her that I'd no longer be working with her. She totally lost it. I actually felt physically threatened, but I stayed until the last of the students had left for their safety and then left.
All I can say is that you should be prepared to walk, because you can't change these people, and unless they are reined in by their boss or you can arrange so that you don't have to work together there is nothing else you can do.Like (1)
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My boss is very supportive. I have kept notes of not all, but some, of her nonsense.
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Leaving the job is like letting them win... Forget it. Sometimes you can out last them & they leave or get fired instead.Like (1)
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Have you tried talking to her, and asking why she is so hateful towards you? Did something happen between you?
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She's a very prejudiced person. She thinks everyone should be just like her. She's not happy with my workload vs. her workload, but we work for two separate people, the work is not related to one another. We just share office space.
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Most people are envious of something, or, they see you as mousey and take advantage, thinking you won't do anything about it.
Usually I just smile at them and act sweetly and they eventually get sick of trying to upset me! =)Like (1)
Best Answer (Chosen By Asker):
Posted by flowerchild555 Jun 27th, 2012 at 9:43AM
People only act like that because others allow them to. When this has happened to me & the other person thought they could bully me, I let them know ASAP that I will take no **** from anybody. They then back off & have respect for me & maybe even a little fear. I let them know in a nice but sinister way. Direct eye contact too. Try it.
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Reply by onwayout Jun 27th, 2012 at 9:59AM
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Reply by flowerchild555 Jun 27th, 2012 at 9:34PM
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