How do you deal with someone that is always complaining at work?

Question

This co worker is always complaining about tripping over his own feet, having headaches, wife problems, etc etc. He doesn't pull his own weight at work, is constantly asking for days off.. takes long lunches(having somebody else punch him in) The list goes on... I love my job but its hard to go to work with somebody like that!!

Answer 1

You don't have too many choices. You can tune him out--ignore him, in other words. Chances are he won't last once management catches on that he's cheating.

You can look at this as an incredible opportunity to show by contrast how much better an employee you are. I would be very careful about complaining, but there are many subtle ways you can highlight his inferiority and negativeness.

You could also--in a nice way--suggest to him that he's distracting you. That could actually help resolve the problems.

Glad you like your work. That's always a good thing to have going for you.

Answer 2

You could solve the problem of the difficult person by removing it.
(In one way or another, make management aware to the point that they force him to get better, or fire him).
This solves your current problem.

But it might also create future problems. For one thing, you won't be trusted by any of his buddies, and/or other problem employess.

Your other solution: Fix the problem.

Learning to work with difficult people is the most important and challenging thing a leader can do. Anyone can manage the grade-A employees. Showing that you know how to do the tough part would send up a flare to your bosses that you're ready to manage people.

First listen. Probe and listen. I'm not a big fan of business psychobabble, or simplistic books like 7 Habits. But there's a phrase in there I've always liked: "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." Figure out why he's unhappy. Perhaps he used to have a better job, and feels this is beneath him. Perhaps a lax manager let him get used to this as "normal" behavior.

Then, help him see a way to use doing his job the right way as a means to get what he wants. (And it almost always is.)

Example: I had a teammate on a project who was always surly to the other people on the project, especially the one in charge. He ignored designs and did his own thing, moving in the wrong directioin and wasting time. People wanted him kicked off the project. No one wanted to work with him. People were talking about firing him.

I talked to him. He felt that he was most qualified to be the leader, and was mad that he had been overlooked. So the next time I had a project to accomplish, I made him the leader. He did a good job, and moved up in everyone's esteem.

Now, obviously these are still problem people, if they require external motivation to do a decent job. But not everyone you get will be self-motivated and perfect. Learning to turn around a bad situation is a much better path than discarding it.

And people WILL notice if you do.

Answer 3

You should ignore him as much as possible and concentrate your efforts on doing your own work to the best of your ability. Your boss will either catch on to him soon and do something about it, someone else will "tattle", or your boss already knows about it and is doing nothing! Trust me, you should stay out of it.....there are people like that in almost every workplace. And it sounds like he has help from other co-workers to slack off. I know it is hard, but if you truly love your job, you should concentrate on that. The situation will eventually be resolved, in one way or another, and in the meantime, you are the employee who loves your job and shows it in everything you do. If your boss is a good boss, he/she will appreciate it!

Answer 4

People should have never started punching in for him, and people should have started expressing concern the first time he took a longer lunch. Is the boss aware? They schedual his days off? approve them? Is this a corrupt work place? or is everything being done right, accept him not pulling his weight?

Answer 5

Ask your boss for a closed door meeting. Then share your thoughts with him/her. Then keep your mouth shut and be patient. If your boss is not already aware of this persons activities, he/she will check it out. Sometime later, the person will either have a change of attitude or no longer be working there.

Answer 6

if this was a military thing a blanket party would work well in this case or maybe get hI'm to the gym for a little close quarter combat but since its not get in this persons space im invade get in close and tell them what you think hold nothing back let him know hes a f--- up and that if life is that bad tell to i ....was going to say shoot himself but maybe he needs help and to get some before you hurt him

Answer 7

well here is MY take....depending on if this is his EVERYDAY norm. or a phase.....also too it depends on how close you are to him....i would suggest maybe some therapy and anti depressants....He could be one of those that would if you gave him a million he would ***** a about the denominations of bills...If you intend on keeping a relationship with him....you may just have to tune him out.....OR tell him straight up....."I cannot handle your negativity....i have too much going on of my own!.....very sorry but i won't let you bring me down with you!....i AM HAPPY!...and i suggest you figure out what it is gonna take for YOU to become more pleasant to be around!"......he is lucky to HAVE a job today.....there are others who would happily do his job....

Answer 8

Hmmm.. bad attitude.. but why you let this affect you ??? These kind of people are there everywhere. Just learn to ignore them. You like your work don't let someone else mess it up for you.

Answer 9

at least be grateful of the fact that you just work with him and not for him. if you are not directly and working closely with each other where your career growth and advancement both depend on him, and if the pay is worth it, then just focus on your own tasks and ignore him. he does not sign your paycheck so don't bother yourself with his issues.

Answer 10

Just leave it as is, after some time your boss should oust him. or you can file an anonymous complain.