What do you do about an idiotic co-worker?

Question

I hate my co-worker, she's loud, obnoxious, incredibly defensive, she'll tease you and if you tease her back she gets upset. She is insecure as HELL. She's gross. I know everyone has a co worker that they cannot stand,but I have this urge to kick her fat @$$. Of course, I do not want to be fired. I can't avoid her because I deal with her as a coworker anyways. What should I do? I can't kick her (i'd probably bounce right off that huge behind) , and please no comments about killing. A few more details:

She's almost 40 but thinks she's a cute 20 year old.
weighs about 250 pounds and about 5'5
her voice is really high pitched and loud. Think of Fran Drescher on helium.
she makes every attempt to make you look bad in front of your boss
she asks questions and cuts you off every single time.

Ok - I'll be honest, the weight part was really mean. But it's true.

Oh and one more thing - she comes in late every single day (like an hour late - and then narcs on me when i'm 10 minutes late)

Ok I have been at the company for a year - she has been with the company for about 5 months. I always try to be the better person and react calmly but her negative attitude does not stop. I'm not the only one who notices is, but I just never say it out loud because I don't want to look like a complainer. However - I figure I can complain to ya'll on the internet. I just had to explode.

Answer 1

First, ask yourself if your boss favours her over you or is it the other way round. If the ball's in your court, you have no worries about your co-worker because whatever remark she passes is not going to hold for too long. In fact, if your boss favours you, you should make yourself look even more 'victimised' in front of that co-worker.

Second, ask yourself why your co-worker can afford to (literally) throw her weight around. You mentioned that she's loud and obnoxious. Perhaps, she's got much more experience at work than you and that gives her the 'right' to be bossy? Or perhaps she's got more connections and a bigger network at work? If that's the case, be very CAREFUL when you handle her because you'll never know when you'll need her help or her allies' help some day. Never burn your bridges.

Third, if you really need to get things off your chest and you simply can't stand her any longer, treat her like a dog....'discipline' her ONLY when you catch her RED-HANDED. For instance: When she makes you look bad in front of your boss, say it instantaneously like a really injured victim IN FRONT OF YOUR BOSS, 'Why do you ALWAYS interrupt when I'm talking? I'm stating my point!' Turn to your boss and say, 'Is it okay if I finish what I have to say?' Then if wish be granted, turn to her and say, 'That's better!'

She'll get the hint and know you mean business. After telling her off, always 'apologize'. Be firm with her but don't forget to be friendly too. You'll need her help some day. Don't target at her looks or her age...just hit the nail right on the spot by targetting her negative actions. Don't gossip about her because your words will be used against you some day. That's what professionalism is all about.

Answer 2

Shorten your responses when dealing with her. Try to interpret her questions as yes or no. If her question requires a more detailed answer, tell her that your time is limited, and ask her if she has the time to listen, or is paying attention, or something like that. In regards to your boss, you can either talk one-on-one about your co-worker, or make a point to calmly counter her negative comments.

Example
Co-worker: I can't figure out how to ....
You: It will take me at least 10 minutes to show you how to do it, and I am very busy right now, but if you want to come back in half an hour, I can show you how to do it.
Co-worker: (negative comment) I can find someone else who knows how to do it.

Boss: How is work going?
Co-worker: Well I would be getting things done a lot faster if she (negative comment)
You: I am willing to help you, but I have my own work that is just as important to finish.

I know you are fed up. Believe me, I've been there. Become the bigger person, and you will end up frustrating her enough that she will start to avoid you.

Answer 3

Complain away -- it isn't an uncommon thing to have a co-worker who isn't absolutely perfect, but yours sounds like she's in a class by herself.
If she's coming in THAT late, someone should notice -- or don't you have any check in system at all?
Your comment about teasing her raises a red flag however. Why are you teasing her? That's just an invitation for getting back at you. I would think you'll just do your work quietly and keep the social intercourse at as low a level as possible.
Does she do her work well? Is she good at her job? Does she interact well with other people?
If she isn't pulling her share of the load, then you have a right to speak to the office manager or plant manager or whoever is in charge of your division. But if she's doing her job and it's just a question of personalities, your best bet is to simply back off.

Sorry, wish I could give you a more positive answer, but that's the way it seems from here.

Answer 4

I work with that persons twin. Now the twin has ALL the qualities yo have described here. I detest being around her because she is so very loud and has no consideration for others that are on the phone. I sat her down at break one day and asked her if she realized how loud she was. I do telemarketing and it is supposed to be quiet in your booth. She agreed at the break to try hard to keep her excitement level down as she is new and was getting sales. Later that day Twice she lost it. The second time I called her by name and asked her again . She apologized. the third time I put my customer on hold stood up and told her Lower Your Voice Now. I eventually went to a manager who talked to her. We still have the same problem where she forgets where she is and is loud. But she is working on it. Today she approached me and tried to talk to me about this over break. We chatted and she explained she is trying and wanted to know if it is better. I told her yes and I can see your efforts here and appreciate them. not once today did she get out of control or loud or rude. Just have to work with people and reward them for their accomplishments no matter how small.

Answer 5

I suppose you must be the young and cute one, right???? She sounds like she is very insecure, people who are insecure will have a tendency to make other people look bad especially to their bosses; it is the only way that they think they can look good. If she has been an employee longer than you have been, you need to learn to work with her and be an adult and ignore the things you can't stand. If you cannot do this, you need to go to your HR department and discuss what is going on with them. They may be able to find another placement for you, or you may need to look for another job. Just remember, other people that you work with may dislike things that you do and your voice and your body type also. Karma can be a telling end to all this. No matter what your age, you have a lot of growing up to do. Have a good night!

Answer 6

Try some reverse psychology on her. Tell her how much you hate people with loud high pitched voices. Next time she cuts you off, just keep on talking and get a little louder. Start mimicking her and she'll see herself in you and stop being so annoying.

Answer 7

Expectations! She is your co-worker and have no obligations to be nice to you. Let her be who she is and keep your dealings with her "professional"(I hate this word) and distant. Nevertheless, work on the part about making you look bad and cuts you off in conversations. Be very prepared infront of your boss. The easiest way out of getting cut off from a question, answer "I don't know".

Answer 8

sounds like a nightmare! Too bad we can't choose our colleagues like our friends right?
I say take a deep breath and explain why you have a problem with her behavior.

If she is still making your life miserable through consistent rudeness or what amounts to bullying or discrimination then you should consider making a formal complaint. Get union help or employment advice.

Try and avoid gossip especially of the malicious or prejudiced kind don't get involved in power battles.

Remember to control your own ego.

Answer 9

Grin and bear it or communicate on your supervisor approximately your aversion to working with this guy or woman. Ask notwithstanding in case you could avert being assigned initiatives with him. I also have a sort of, and he's an extremely great guy and a remarkable addition to the employees, regardless of his loss of group spirit, yet he's sooo needy and the secretarial group draw back while he comes around, regardless of the reality that he's honestly a extreme high quality guy.

Answer 10

When you described her I immediately thought of that receptionist lady in Office Space that answers the phone in such an annoying voice.

Everyone knows people like that. They also know what they do. If she tries to make you look bad, call her on it (not in front of the boss so you dont look like a child) but take her aside and tell her. I have confronted people like this before and when they know I'm on to them, they stay away from me. Good luck!