Four ways to deal with difficult coworkers

What can HR do to manage that one worker who seems bent on causing problems?

BY Human Capital 03 Sep 2014

Everyone has experienced working with someone who is difficult, and unfortunately being in HR does not protect us from the unprofessional behaviours of others. So how can you adapt and deal with someone whose behaviour is making your tasks and job more difficult?

“The solution lies in creating a solution,” said Rhonda Scharf, of On The Right Track – Training & Consulting Inc. “By creating a strategy you will instantly feel more in control of the situation and will be better prepared to handle your difficult person professionally and calmly.”

Scharf suggested the following steps to start improving the situation:

1. Don’t give up
Sometimes we need to focus on surviving whatever crisis we are in. Maybe we are keeping the job we don’t love because we need the benefits for right now. It doesn’t have to be a life sentence. It is just for right now. We often tend to look too far into the future and say, “I can’t do this for the rest of my life.” Okay, so let’s not worry about the rest of your life, and say “I can do this for this week,” and so on.

2. Stay in control
When you let others control you, you’re writing your own death sentence. You need to continue to make the choices that keep you in control.

3. Don’t become a victim
Maybe the person has the authority to fire you, to ruin your reputation or to make your life much, much worse than it is now. That doesn’t mean you need to be their victim. Don’t allow your difficult person that much space in your life. Refuse to become their victim. Be aware of what they can or cannot do, but stop yourself from the negativity that becoming a victim perpetuates.

4. Change the situation
Create a strategy that will allow you to keep your job, keep your sanity and allow you to survive the situation. Plan your actions one day at a time (one hour at a time if appropriate). Let your strategy be your secret weapon to survival.