Negative Coworker
By aconner
@aconner (218)
United States
April 18, 2008 1:06pm CST
There is a coworker that I have that is one of the most rude negative people I know. I worked at this company 4 years ago and left and now I'm back. When I was here 4 years ago she wasn't like this. She has taken on more work than she needs to but only by choice. It's for job security I suppose. I have offered to take some off her hands and the other 2 staff ladies in the office have also. She just refuses to delegate... I guess that's the word for it. Well the receptionist is an older lady and is sometimes a little loopy but she's never rude or anything.
Yesterday the receptionist was in this rude coworkers office doing filing and collecting everyones trash cause Thursdays are trash days here. The receptionist asked the rude coworker, "Do you need me to collect your trash for you?" and the rude coworker responded with, "Get out of my office, I don't have time for you right now!"
This morning a supervisor1 was asking me where another supervisor2 was. I told him he was at a meeting out of state. He then asked me what state or city or what job was it for. I wasn't sure so I asked the rude coworker "Is he at a meeting for _____?" She responded, "Ashley, I don't know! It's none of my business where he goes and I'm not his schedule keeper?" I responded, "I'm sorry for asking a question, didn't realize it would bother you that much." She responded, "Well, Supervisor1 already asked me that once this morning." And I honestly did not know this so I responded, "I'm not supervisor1 am I?"
This drives me crazy and her negative attitude and rude responses to EVERYONE is getting a bit ridiculous. I'm thinking about going to my supervisor about it. How would you deal with this?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Apr 08
If she wasn't that way before, you have to wonder what has happened in the last 4 years that has changed. Maybe she's burnt out or gone through a divorce or something. If you like the person and respect her, I would try and have a talk with her about it. On the other hand, if you have tried and gotten treated rudely or just don't want to deal with it, the next step is to talk to your supervisor. I usually believe in giving a person a chance first, but it just depends on how much it bothers you and on how well you are able to deal with her. Good luck!
@aconner (218)
• United States
18 Apr 08
I totally agree with you about giving a person a second chance. When I came back to work here in December she had just gotten engaged. She is burnt out and she says that. You would think that if she knows she's burnt out she would pass on some of her responsibilities to other coworkers that are capable. Her manager has already told her that if she needs to she can do that... he had no problem with it. She has said so many times how she knows she has a short temper, but she does nothing about it. I think if she snaps again on me or anyone else I will have to confront her on it and ask that she learn to control her temper. If that doesn't work then I'll be talking with the supervisor.
2 people like this
@danzer (2723)
• Philippines
18 Apr 08
In the workplace or anywhere, there are always negative people that will challenge your character. I guess the best way is to avoid these kind of people. I know there are still other people in your workplace to talk to. Have a wonderful day ahead in your work!
1 person likes this
@aconner (218)
• United States
18 Apr 08
The company I work for is a small office company. There are 4 ladies in the office and that's including myself. She's the type of person to include herself in all conversations. Which is fine because on a personal level she's ok but still negative. For example about the negative part (and this has nothing to do with work but gives an idea of how she is) the Supervisor1 was talking to me about his g/f working out at the gym and that she's a "machine" and she's really enjoying it. He has been trying to encourage her to workout for quite a few months and he was praising her for her hard work. Well rude coworker responds... "Oh, that won't last long, she'll get burnt out." No one wants to hear that, I was raised if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Why say that other than the fact of jealousy or what now. Anyway... I'm rambling on now. Thanks for contributing though.
1 person likes this
@acastlegirl (135)
• United States
23 Apr 08
I would definitely go to your supervisor. Her attitude is only going to affect the mood of the entire office. This makes for a bad work environment. They need to talk to her and find out what is causing her attitude and work with her to straighten it out. Negativity seems to spread like a virus.
