how do you deal with a bad coworker?

RhonndaJ

You said you've been told "that's just how she is". This means everyone else just accepts her bad behaviour and my suggestion is that you do so as well. You're the 'new guy', rocking the boat by confronting her, even in a positive way is likely to piss off more than her.

Say hello, say goodbye, speak to her only as necessary and pretty much ignore her otherwise, just not in a rude way.

It won't be fun but this is another situation where you just can't change people.

WinnerVictorious

here me out:
i've been working at a new place for a couple months and it's a lot to learn. everyone is super friendly except one girl. what a B.


here's what she does:
doesn't say hi or bye to me.
ignores my existence when we're in a group discussion.
she literally tells me EVERYTHING in a snappy, *****y way.
she raises her voice and talks down to me.

okay, i'll admit she doesn't JUST do it to me. i've seen her do it to others. but how the hell did she get a salesperson job with her personality?!
we've had costumers complain about her!

today i tried to start a conversation by saying "so you're going to that restaurant tonight?"
and her reply was just "no." as she walked away. lol

anyway, HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH PEOPLE LIKE THIS!?! working alone with her for 8 hours actually fully bummed me out,
sorry, i had to rant,

ignore her.
interact with her only when required for your job.
steer clear of office gossip about her.

in short, don't get caught up in any drama with her whatsoever. if you're new, just focus on your job and don't let your issues with her affect how your other co-workers see you.

My0WNinspiration

I pretty much ignore my co-workers. I'm not there to be liked or socialize. I get paid to do a job and gtfo.

Lesa_Sass

It is in our nature to want people to like us, most of us that is. This is actually a lesson for you, not her. You are going to have to learn to deal with people such as this and know no matter what you do, she is not going to be nice to you. You can not change her, but you can change you.

Acceptance is the key. Understand it is not personal and try to avoid her.

One thing you can do is set a boundary and not allow her to speak to you in a manner which is derogatory. Stand up for yourself.

We teach people how to treat us. She needs to know that it is not okay to talk down to you, period. If you are not able to do that, then you may want to spend less time thinking about how to change her and more time trying to change you.

LittleMissNerdy

When I first started at my job (5 years ago) there was an Admin who was a real jerk towards me. She was much older, I was in my mid-20's. She would give me a hard time, talk down to me, pretty much act like I was stupid and didn't know what I was doing.

One day she interrupted me while I was working on something for someone. I told her to wait a moment and when I was done I'd get to her, and I continued typing. She then tried to give me attitude for ignoring her. Know what I did? I gave attitude right back and after that, everything was fine. I explained how rude it was for her to interrupt me and so on.

I think once she saw I wasn't a pushover, I gained her respect. Sometimes you just have to step to the person and show that you know what you're doing and don't need to treated like a child.

Kadesha72

I say just stop talking to her unless its job related. My boss has one piece of advice for us here, "You don't have to like the people you work with." You aren't there to find friends... why she's such a B**** may never be clear..... I have one co-worker that is such a pain the *kitten*, and she's completely clueless, and she talks non-stop about HER life...the same problems over and over, and its ridiculous stuff. I tried to befriend her, "help" her, but she's just too stupid. So now I don't even try to help her, unless she asks a work related question. If she comes and sits down in my office and tries to start up one of those neverending conversations that are useless, I usually don't give more than one word answers, if that, just to make her get OUT... i have things to do, I don't have time to hear about her ex-husband who cheated on her with 3 women all at the same time, got one pregnant and that she's still thinking of being with... aaaa. I get irritated just talking about her. But that's why I'm sure SHE thinks I'm *****y... one word answers that are designed to make her leave.

Don't worry so much about getting along with everyone. Just do your job and don't worry about her.

FitGuyWillDoIt

Rude to cu$tomer$? She won't last long.

smantha32

anyway, HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH PEOPLE LIKE THIS!?! working alone with her for 8 hours actually fully bummed me out,
sorry, i had to rant,

Ocarina

Take the situation in your hands and don't let an external situation ruin your life. If it's absolutely important just ask her straight up, "Are you okay? You seem so short and stern around me." Or you could say, "Is there anything I've done to make you put off?" The worst thing that will happen is you will get ignored.

You can also talk to other coworkers about her to see what they've learned to do to work around her. You know she's gotten this attitude because people are letting her get away with it. You should take initiative and figure out how to resolve the situation because it won't fall in your lap. She makes you feel awkward and you should do the same. Break the ice.

Worst comes to worst speak to your boss. After you've taken any measures you can to remedy the situation. Honestly it sounds like she sucks at socializing and you are caught up in it. Don't take it personal. And you have to break yourself into the working group. I've noticed that its hardest to get into a work clique then any other type... I'm in a choir, running club, honor society, classes and other things and it was much easier getting into those "cliques" then my work.