Ways to deal with Assholes at Work

There will always be people who will test your patience and self-control. They’re everywhere—and the office isn’t an exemption. The first thing that you should keep in mind though is to never counter a jerk of a workmate with their level of asshole-ness. That would only piss them off. You’ll be more prone to be picked upon and god knows how many glares you have to dodge in able for you to work peacefully. Keep calm, and don’t lose your patience just yet because here are some tips on how to deal with assholes at work:

#1 RAISE YOUR CONCERN POLITELY

Sometimes, all you really need to do is to discuss your concern in private. Listening on the “he says, she says” will only make matters worse. Sometimes, people are also not aware how they can make the people around feel. They might even be glad you told them about it and would gladly change for the better.

But! If the person you are dealing with is purposely being a huge jerk to assume superiority, then it would also not hurt to try and talk to them about it. Articulate your issues and lay them without being emotional and they may stop if you stand-up to them in a civil but firm behavior.

#2 AVOID CONTACT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

If meetings can be done online or through Slack or Workspace, do it there. Do telephone meetings too, if possible. Be polite as much as you can but not to the point that you will look like a pushover. If the bully coworker says or writes something nasty, try to avoid snapping back. Remember that you are you, and you are not the person you are talking to. Try to limit your exposure with that person if raising the concern with him or her doesn’t do the trick.

#3 PRACTICE INDIFFERENCE AND EMOTIONAL DETACHMENT

We were always taught to give every inch of our effort and passion in doing things that we love. However, it is already a different story if you’re working for people who treat you like dirt and doesn’t even credit your efforts. These kind of people don’t earn your passion and commitment. Practice working and grinding every day without really caring about these people.

#4 FIGHT BACK LIKE A PRO

We must admit that the bully is oftentimes stronger than us in terms of a higher position or influence. And if that big bully picks on the little things that you do like your clothing or your hair, or the email you didn’t reply “Noted” to, then you can find small ways to fight back. An article by Robert Sutton at Psychology Today, exhibits a perfect example.

“Exhibit one here is the radio producer who told me that she felt oppressed because her boss was constantly stealing her food right off her desk. So she made some candy out of EX-Lax, the chocolate flavored laxative, and left it on her desk. As usual, he ate them without permission. When she told this thief what was in the candy, “he was not happy.”

#5 TAKE LEGAL ACTION IF YOU MUST BUT AS LAST RESORT

Documentation is important if you are taking the report to the higher court, and to be honest, this is advisable if the work treatment has affected you emotionally, mentally, and physically. This age has a growing legal movement against bullying in the workplace and it has become easier to seek for legal help and charge opportunistic and abusive bosses.

However, before you reach this point, it’s best to leave the job when you know that its already costing your well-being.