Depending on how many hours you work in a week, you could potentially spend more time with your co-workers than with anyone else in your life. So what do you do when those people are terrible to be around? Here's your guide to the five most annoying people you'll meet at work and how to cope with their craziness.
The Shift Shirker
"Hey, man, I've got this uber important thing every Saturday for the next 6 years. Can you do me a solid and pick up my shifts?" Yeah, because, you know, I don't have a life.
It's hard to say why this person works at all, but the bottom line is, it's not your problem. If you want the extra hours, feel free to take the shifts, but don't feel obligated. Their shifts = their responsibility.
The No Show
At least the shift shirker had the decency to try to cover his shift. This jerk just didn't show. Either it was the last day in their two-week notice, or they're gunning for a pink slip, but your shift is over and they aren't there to cover. This inevitably results in your manager asking you to stick around, and you feel guilty saying no.
Do yourself a favor and set some clear boundaries with your manager. If you can stay (and you want to) you can say something like: "I can this time, but this is the third time this week Johnny Noshow has lived up to his nickname, can you just take him off the schedule?"
The Casanova
There are only so many ways you can say "not interested" that don't involve a taser or pepper spray. The bad news is you're going to need to try them all with this not-so-secret admirer. You tried the polite decline, the "I'm taken," and maybe even a lie or two about swinging the other direction, but the message isn't making it through.
It's a sticky situation, and you'll need to figure out where the line is for you. Try to be as direct as possible, but if you're in a situation where you truly feel uncomfortable, it might be time to blow the "sexual harassment" whistle and talk to your manager.
Debbie Downer
Besides being one of the best Saturday Night Live sketches ever, this is also the person you work with who never has anything positive to say, ever. She talks about how crappy her job is, how much she hates customers, how much she wants to leave and how terrible your manager is.
Even if all this might be true, you don't need to hear it. Just ignore her and if she doesn't get the message, point out how terrible her attitude is. In a friendly way, of course.
The Ego Tripper
Fresh off a promotion to middle management, this guy won't stop bossing you around. The worst part is, he used to be so awesome when you were co-workers. But now he's too busy trying to impress everyone in the building to notice what a jerk he's become.
Give it some time; it's a difficult thing to be promoted, and he's just trying to get his bearings. In a few weeks he'll realize he won't need to be bossy to be your boss, and he'll come crawling back for your friendship.
Now that you're armed for the worst, you're ready for absolutely any job anywhere. So why wait? Find a job and no matter what your co-workers throw your way, you'll be ready.
About Amy White