episode 4: TOXIC COWORKERS

In this episode of Work Bestie Business we talk all about challenging coworkers: how to identify them, how to work with them, and ways we can set boundaries to set ourselves up for success.

Get caught up on the series!

Toodaloo for now!
Laura

[onawal]

It's better when you're WFH. Most of the people advocating for Return to the Office are the neediest. You can't schmooze yourself out of your work or dump it on someone else without a trail. WFH is great.

[ath-har]

I start a junior management role tomorrow in a new company and your video really helped me feel more confident for tomorrow, so thanks. 🙏🏽

[christinec]

At my last position, I had a micromanager and I have ADHD. I'm smart, competent and productive but I work in my own way. She wanted her family member in my position and gate-kept every part of my duties so I was getting dribs and drabs of info while learning the position. Then she was off work for a month. She gave me a bad review when she returned which I have never had one at any job. I really wanted that position but my mental stress level was more important. I asked for help from several sources but none helped. She is now retired and I haven't worked for anyone since. It's not worth it. I'm still looking for ways to work on my own.

[Skarlett_Ravynn]

0:58 if you haven't dealt with a lazy coworker, you are the lazy coworker 😂

[KaniniPanini]

I really love these episodes. I hope you continue these series. It is nice to have someone share experience that i can implement in my job. I have learned a lot from you. <3

[haileydaisy]

Holding space for other people... I love that. I usually say we all deserve grace and tomorrow is a new day. Thank you for your videos!

[davidadams]

Outstanding insight and tips. One for micro-managers: take it upon yourself to, under the guise of wanting to be more productive, timesheet your day, highlight where improvements could be made, and include the manager on developing those improvements. When they get to the impact they are having it's just a problem to solve, not an attack on their management style or them personally. Of course, if they are not willing to 'fix the problem' with you, you have the empirical evidence needed to escalate.

[samanthahoos]

😊Thank you for the motivation to go into work today! I’m having lots of difficulties with coworkers and going to try some of these tips!

[annt]

“Done is better than perfect.” Yes. I work with a co-worker who’s a perfectionist who takes as long as possible to get anything done. She has no idea how her lateness and gate-keeping slows down the team. And then asks me to do her work when she gets behind.

“I want a chance to look everything over and write up a sheet explaining it all” when no one needs a sheet explaining it all; just let us know the items we need to order.

[MC]

currently working with a very bullying boss and feeling lost
i totally agree with you, there is no good advice
i documented everything but they are the superior, with connections all around the company
im the new girl, young, new at the company, and i cant do anything even with all the proof i have. Its called a simple misunderstanding on my part, when clearly they just dont want me to succeed and now are trying to fire me over a misunderstanding. Im just decently upset that bullies get put into these positions

[SerenityForschen]

I too encourage when working with people find something good in each person. I have worked with very annoying people but over time they became my favorite people to work with. If you find one thing they person does well and praise them on it and in a sly way work to encourage the good they eventually may start avoiding the bad things.

[barbarawissinger]

I once had a job that I wasn’t qualified for. The co-worker who felt she should have had the position made my life hell for the time was there. I got a nice payout & went back to my self-employment.

[mrsHolly]

On our team the person initiating the gossip is also the constant complainer. It is extremely draining. When the conversation starts with " did you hear about..." I always answer, " nope, not my business." When they are being negative, I will ask for a positive or remind them of all of the blessings, and also remind them that they choose to continue working and being upset about it makes it harder to enjoy the job. Sad to me. I don't like everything about my company, but I choose to be here, and I get paid to do my job. I might as well choose to do my job well, and I choose to enjoy it.

[enna]

A very good point about not necessarily knowing, what causes the unwanted behaviour. As an example, a collegue complained to me about another coworker often dismissing what she says, and repeatedly asking the same guestion from another person after she'd already answered it. I was puzzled for a moment, and after collecting myself informed that the said negative person had a deaf ear, and literally didn't hear everything.

[renatobuchert]

I'd love to see one on how not to be a toxic coworker. I'm sure some are watching this and thinking, "Oh.... I do that sometimes.... why do I do that? How can I improve my coworkers' impression of me?" I definitely had to change some things about my comportment since I first started working.

[mariaziarnik]

This was enlighting and I hate office bullying! They act like your friend but stab you in the back with lies to management. I believe in karma and when they least expect they are slapped to reality

[ssejllenrad]

Came here expecting the usual comedy content. Ended up listening to legitimately good insight. You get a like, my good lady.

[anthonykarem]

Unforutnately, years ago, I dealt with a lazy, narcissistic, gossip spreading, complaining, micromanaging bully of a coworker and she was such a toxic chore to work with that I had to resign. Our personalities clashed and the manager in this situation loved her for some reason and took her side in every conflict that I ever had with her. She would religiously take credit for my work, say that I was a lazy do-nothing behind my back whenever I was not in the room, disrespect me, gossip about me, and weirdly micromanage my work while not doing anything herself. Quite an odd combination of being micromanaging to a sickening degree where she was attempting to control how my work is done while at the same time being so lazy that she wasn't doing her job and complaining that she can't do her job because she "has" to micromanage me. You see where the problem is here?

[lesliemoiseauthor]

Thank you. You said something i really needed to hear about gossip

[YourNickIsTaken]

00:50 The slackers
05:45 Gossipers
10:35 Complainers
14:31 Micro managers
20:46 "Police" in the workplace
25:30 Passive aggressive
26:28 Stealing credit
29:12 The "Annoying" people
31:08 Summary
- boundaries
- control your first draft emotions before reacting (be less judgmental)
- triggers show what you have to work on yourself
- lead by example - Others will pick up
- asking for help