There’s nothing more depressing than a gloomy coworker. Yes, we get it, work is hard and it’s Monday, but we don’t need constant reminders about it. Everyone has a bad day now and then and an occasional gripe session is perfectly acceptable, but those chronically unhappy coworkers can really start to weigh on you—you see them every day and every day they bring some rain to your otherwise sunny day. Here’s how to deal with those coworkers who get you down.
Distance Yourself
No one needs to be around a miserable person all day long, so try to stay away. Don’t take breaks or lunches with this person. If you do, you might get down in the dumps yourself. Or, worse, people will assume your friends and try to keep their distance from BOTH of you.
Know You Can’t Help
If your coworker is a chronic complainer, they’re probably not looking for solutions. They just want everyone to know how miserable they are and to collect sympathy. They’re the victims and we should all feel sorry for them. So don’t waste your time trying to cheer them up or finding ways to solve their problems. Keep your interactions with them short, let them have their pity party and walk away.
Be the Positive One
Set a good example and counter all their negativity with your positivity. Laugh with your coworkers and find reasons to celebrate and be grateful. Try to show your gloomy coworker that it’s a lot easier to be happy than be sad. Eventually, your example might rub off on your coworker and they’ll adopt the positive mindset that you’ve been glorifying.
Don’t Feed the Fire
A truly gloomy person doesn’t need anyone else to help them be negative, so don’t fall into their mindset. You don’t want your complaints to be heard by anyone else—like your boss—and you don’t want to be associated with this particular coworker. It can be social suicide. And never send this person texts or emails with complaints in them. Those could hang over your head forever and get you in trouble.
Restore Your Happiness
If, despite your best efforts to fight it, you find yourself slightly depressed when you walk to your car at the end of the day, find some happiness elsewhere. Get a workout in, meet some friends for happy hour, or spend some time with a new baby or puppy—whatever it takes to boost your mood and rejuvenate yourself for tomorrow.
Know the Limits
It’s one thing to work with someone who’s a Negative Nancy or a Debbie Downer. Those people are manageable. Insufferable, but manageable. It’s another thing to work with someone who bullies or threatens coworkers or talks about harming themselves. Those situations go above your pay grade and, unless you’re a trained counselor, above your skill level, too. In those cases, seek help from a manager or HR executive.
For more tips on handling difficult coworkers, contact Pridestaff Thousand Oaks today.
