It would be totally awesome if you always worked with people you liked. People who you not only respect in the workplace but were happy to socialize with outside of work, too. Wouldn’t that be a dream come true?
Well, maybe, and maybe not. Some people like to have a complete separation between work and social life, but everyone wants to have a nice place to go to work. Unfortunately, sometimes you get stuck working with a coworker you not only don’t click with but whom you actively dislike.
To keep reading, click here: 6 Tips for Working with People You Dislike
While I agree about documenting troublesome behavior when the other person is doing something detrimental to your job performance, don’t get caught up in petty office vigilantism where you are documenting every tiny little thing the other person does that annoys you or could be against the rules (Fidelma came in one minute late, etc.). That just makes you into the problem and does not go over well with management. “Be the adult” is by far the best advice. The vast majority of workplace problems could be solved if everyone followed that advice.
Good advice, but I think Suzanne is talking about a different kind of documentation, no? Not “keep track of every instance of bad behavior” but “use email to document conversations, agreements, etc. so they can’t claim they did/didn’t say XYZ later.”
Fidelma, LOL.
I think we talked about this over on AAM, but sometimes making note of something can help you remember if it comes up later. “As you may remember, Fidelma, Boss asked Bob to handle the Chocolate Bunny account instead of me. I had the Peeps account instead.”
Also, it can help you vent a little without bringing it to your coworkers. “Thursday, Jan. 14. God, Fidelma is such a TWIT. She knocked over my latte and told Adolpho that Barbara was incompetent. I hate her!” After you note something, then move on. (Just make sure NO ONE can see it!)
You have a good point, however–best not to dwell on it. And Suzanne makes a good point as well. It might not be Fidelma; it might be YOU!
I would also add ‘mind your own business’ and ‘focus on your own work’. If what the other employee is doing or wearing or saying is annoying you, YOU need to ask yourself if it is actually effecting YOUR job. If you come to my office to complain about things you simply don’t like about a coworker (hairstyle, clothing, voice, etc.) it really just shows me that YOU are not doing YOUR job as you should be. You don’t have to like the other person, but you do have to be civil at work. You can’t change them (nor can you beg management to reprimand them for having their own individuality), but you can always change yourself.
Some good advice and points, thanks for the link and the post!