Dealing With Problem Coworkers
ningcontentFor the college student entering the workforce with their first entry level job, some advice is indispensable. There are several opportunities for ones career to go astray during the time when you are learning work ethics, office politics and the rules of the work force. Learning how to deal with problem coworkers can be a very important lesson and knowing the techniques before starting your first entry level job is a great way to insure that your career stays on track.
Problem coworker number one is the dishonest employee. This is the fellow that tells you how to shortcut everything in the office. He will tell you that arriving late is fine if you have your friend clock you in on time, an extra five minutes in the break room is no problem and taking a few office supplies home is okay because no one will miss them. The dishonest employee can cost you your job and your reputation. Solution: Don’t get involved with this guy or his methods. Let him know that you are honest and value your reputation with your employer. If you can prove that he is doing something dishonest, it is also your duty to report this to your supervisor so make sure this problem coworker knows where you stand.
Problem coworker number two is the lazy employee. Working in your first entry level job, you value the opinions and experience of those who have been working in the field for a while but it is easy to be snared by this fellows game. He is the guy who asks “hey, can you help me out?” over and over again. What you are seeing as a favor at first, quickly becomes a doubled workload for you. Solution: Don’t confuse respect with being a private servant for this fellow. An occasional favor to help a coworker is one thing but if the employee can’t pull their own weight on a daily basis, how do you expect to do his job and yours? Politely decline the request and let them know you have your own workload to handle.
By knowing how to recognize these two problem employees, you can save yourself a lot of stress on your entry level job and keep your career on the right track.
