Ah, the workplace: a hive of activity, teamwork and, occasionally, the co-worker who makes you want to scream. We all know the type: the person who somehow ruins meetings, causes trouble for no reason, or transforms even the most basic task into a labour of loathing.

How, then, can one endure such a person without losing one’s job or sanity? These pointers will enable you to navigate that most dreaded of personalities: the nightmare colleague!

1. Identify the trouble

Not every challenging co-worker is made equal. Is your nightmare colleague the micromanager who hovers over your shoulder like a helicopter parent? The office gossip who knows everyone’s business and is far too happy to share? Or perhaps the procrastinator who consistently lets the team down?

The first step is to realise their behaviour: once you do, you will be better suited to manage this person’s brand of chaos.

2. Set boundaries

Establish boundaries if the antics of your colleague are invading your personal or professional environment. Tell them gently but firmly what is acceptable and what is not. For instance:

• “I would love to know your opinions, but let’s save that for later.”
• “Could you kindly email me instead of calling repeatedly within the hour? Thanks.”

Remember, though, that your nightmare colleague is unlikely to change overnight.

3. Document everything

Does your co-worker affect your focus and productivity? It’s time to go into full detective mode: record incidents, missed deadlines, or any other behaviour that compromises your output.

It’s not about being petty; rather, this is to have things on the record should circumstances escalate and you need to get HR involved. But more on this below.

4. Choose your battles

Not every hill is worth dying on; sometimes, the wisest line of action is to let little irritations pass by. So ask yourself: “Is this worth the energy?” If the response is no, conserve your mental capacity for more intense conflicts.

5. Build a support network

Every office requires an unofficial therapy group. Engage colleagues who know your situation, albeit without turning it into a poisonous gossip session. Having allies who understand can make all the difference.

6. Talk to your superior

If the circumstances become intolerable, it’s time for a discussion with your manager. Emphasise how your colleague’s behaviour affects your productivity and the overall business.

Try your best not to be defensive or to indulge in finger-pointing. Rather, aim to be calm and professional, putting the company first rather than your personal feelings.

7. Be zen

Dealing with a nightmare colleague will test your patience. So, keep a stress ball close, go for a walk, or practise deep breathing. Remember, at the end of the day, work is only work. Which brings us to:

8. Laugh it off

When all else fails, try approaching the matter with humour. For instance, picture this co-worker as a character from a sitcom. Finding the funny in an absurd situation is occasionally the only way one survives.

9. Recognise when it’s time to go

Sometimes, circumstances cannot be resolved with any amount of strategy or tolerance. When this happens, it might be time to look into new alternatives.

After all, it’s better to value your mental health and happiness than to remain in a negative environment with toxic people.

This article was originally written by Anisa Aznan for jobstore.com, an online job site that specialises in providing jobseekers with the latest job opportunities by matching talented individuals with reputable companies in Malaysia. Find your dream job with over 40,000 job vacancies in Malaysia.

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