How to Deal With Petty Coworkers
- 1). Avoid being drawn into a petty conversation or gossip with a coworker about other employees. If you are cornered into one of these types of conversations, politely excuse yourself and go back to your office or your work station.
- 2). Stand up for yourself. As long as you are doing a good job and you have made the right decision, stand firmly by that decision. Sometimes coworkers may act angry or petty if you must make a job call or a decision that creates more work for them. As long as it is the right choice, stick with it even if it isn't the popular choice.
- 3). Give advice to other coworkers only if asked or offer to help instead, as long as you have the time. Giving unsolicited advice can come across as critical and negative and can may cause anger or petty comments in return. Offering to help a coworker can be motivating and can help to create a good working environment.
- 4). Approach the person who is displaying the petty behavior and speak to him about it. Tell the person what is bothering you about his behavior and give some examples of what you are talking about. Let him know this behavior makes you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable and that you are hoping to create a more respectful relationship and healthy working environment.
- 5). Speak to your boss if the situation becomes intolerable or the pettiness seems to be affecting your work or the productivity of the company. If you have already confronted the person and she has refused to stop the behavior or has flat-out denied everything, it may be helpful to keep a journal for a few weeks and record every time something is said or done that is petty or disrespectful. Arm yourself with this information before you go to see your boss. Be prepared to discuss everything that has been going on. There may be something your boss can do about the situation or it may require reporting the other individual to the human resources department.
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