I have met some of my absolute best friends through work over the years. These are people who will be at my wedding someday (if I ever get married or choose to have a wedding), who I call when I’m having a tough day, and who I laugh with over drinks.
But, while I have been lucky in the work-friend department over the years, I have also had to deal with my fair share of difficult co-workers. The ultimate goal is to find a job with co-workers you love spending time with, but that’s not always the reality.
Work can be a stressful environment and sometimes personalities clash. While it can be awkward to have to deal with a co-worker you don’t love spending time with, it is oftentimes unavoidable.
If you find yourself in a tricky situation with a co-worker you just don’t seem to jive with, here are some tips to help alleviate the situation.
Ask Yourself If You’re the Problem
First thing’s first, check to see if you’re the issue. Are you making life hard for your co-worker? Are you not treating them with respect?
Take a good hard look at yourself and see if there’s anything you can do to improve your relationship. Sometimes we don’t like people simply because they have the same bad habits that we have. Clean up your side of the street before complaining about the mess.
Set Boundaries
You won’t always be able to avoid co-workers you don’t get along with, especially if you work in a collaborative environment, but you can set boundaries for yourself.
If you’re able to pick where to physically work throughout the day, pick an area away from the person you’re having issues with. Don’t allow yourself to get dragged into the petty office drama and do your best to keep that person an arm’s length away.
Document Your Issues
There’s a difference between not getting along with a co-worker and having to deal with harassment or abuse from a co-worker. If this person is making inappropriate comments about you or others, is breaking office rules, or is showing signs of harassment, start logging these instances.
When the timing feels right, go to your boss or the HR department and share the list with them. You shouldn’t have to put up with someone who should be fired for their behavior.
Be Mature
One of the first things I was taught growing up is that not everyone is going to like me and I’m not going to like everyone. It’s just part of life. You don’t need to be rude or passive-aggressive towards the co-worker you dislike. Remain polite, do your job, and be a professional.
Whatever You Do, Don’t Gossip
It’s so easy to want to gossip with the co-workers we like about the co-workers we don’t like, but this is a slippery slope. Loose lips sink ships, as they say, and you don’t want word traveling around the office that you talk about people behind their backs.
Save your work gossiping for your friends outside of the office and try to be as professional as possible while on the job.
