Your Privacy is Important to us

We encourage you to review our Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.

By continuing, you agree to the Terms listed here. In case you want to opt out, please click "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link in the footer of this page.

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

We won't sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.

Continue on TOI App
Open App
Login for better experience!
Login Now
Welcome! to timesofindia.com
TOI INDTOI USTOI GCC
TOI+
  • Home
  • Live
  • TOI Games
  • Top Headlines
  • India
  • City News
  • Photos
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Entertainment
  • Movie Reviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Podcasts
  • Elections
  • Web Series
  • Sports
  • TV
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Events
  • World
  • Music
  • Astrology
  • Videos
  • Tech
  • Auto
  • Education
  • Log Out
Follow Us On
Open App
  • ETIMES
  • CINEMA
  • VIDEOS
  • TV
  • LIFESTYLE
  • VISUAL STORIES
  • MUSIC
  • TRAVEL
  • FOOD
  • TRENDING
  • EVENTS
  • THEATRE
  • PHOTOS
  • MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MOVIE LISTINGS
  • HEALTH
  • RELATIONSHIP
  • WEB SERIES
  • BOX OFFICE

How to deal with mean coworkers

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - Aug 10, 2022, 11:00 IST
Comments
Share
1/7

How to avoid negativity

There are all sorts of coworkers in an office especially if it is a big organisation. Many men and women face bullying or mean workers and it does get out of proportion. If you have mean co-workers and you are unable to handle them without losing your own peace of mind then these tips will definitely help you keep it together and deal with the meanies too.

2/7

Don’t take things personally

If your coworkers are being mean then let them be. It reflects their personality not yours. It can be confusing when one woman talks to another woman in a way you least expected but some people do tend to undermine the other as they think that it lifts them up. Some do this intentionally so that you feel discouraged to do something you are good at which if effective, turns out to be one less in the competition. So don’t take it personally. Forgive them in your head.

3/7

Ignorance is bliss

If you do not react, the one who is trying to bully you loses as they have nothing to go off on. Ignore the nonsensical talk, the negative comments and keep your cool. It is indeed difficult but lesser your reaction, the less fun they will have as clearly their attempt to antagonize you has failed.

4/7

Keep your personal life, personal

You go to the office to work so why give out personal information anyway? In case you haven’t realised , some mean and sneaky coworkers can use your personal information to spread rumours about you. Stick to work discussions or everything else in the world except political and personal subjects.

5/7

Get closer with other coworkers

It is good to have a few friends in the office as that makes work more bearable and especially if other coworkers pester you with mean comments. You do not have to be best of friends but you definitely can have some people with whom you can share light moments and dodge all that engulfing negativity.

6/7

Avoid gossip

You have to yourself stop gossiping otherwise you are bound to bear the brunt. If you are yourself talking behind someone’s back then how can you expect others to keep quiet? Venting out to coworkers is tempting but it makes you look like a mean person yourself! If you want to really talk about your problems, the best is to talk to your close friend outside the office.

7/7

Calling out

In certain situations confrontation is the best. So muster the courage and call out the mean behaviour. Don’t let it slide as that just simply gives the other more courage. You do not have to be rude or aggressive but simply take the person to another cabin and ask what the issue is and why are you being treated like that?




Read also: I was not who I am today till the day I saw "The Shawshank Redemption"

Read also: Tata chairman’s advice to Ranveer Singh on time management is as simple as it gets

Start a Conversation

Post comment
Featured In lifestyle
  • Optical illusion personality test: Trees or face? What you see first reveals if you are spontaneous or organised as a person
  • Are you raising your child right? Sadhguru points out one parenting habit that may be teaching children the wrong lesson
  • Germany introduces Visa-Free Airport Transit for Indians: What travellers need to know
  • Ram Charan's home is all things 'luxury' with the right balance of Indian finesse: 5 art inspirations to take away
  • This hidden UNESCO fort in Rajasthan is surrounded by rivers on three sides and almost no one visits it
  • This is the world's shortest commercial flight and why it’s a bucket-list travel experiences
  • Nature never judged: Study reveals that birds across all ages engage in masturbation, and it is a healthy and completely natural behaviour
  • 5 habits that may be harming your spiritual health
  • Lalit Modi's 5 big revelations about love and life: ‘Diamond Digger’ remark, dating Sushmita Sen, one regret that still haunts him
Photostories
  • This is the world's shortest commercial flight and why it’s a bucket-list travel experiences
  • Forget Idli: Try these other steamed South Indian dishes for summer breakfast
  • 10 premium feature wall designs for a high-end residential look
  • Aurora alert: ‘Severe’ Northern Lights to be visible from at least 23 states
  • IMD warns of heavy rain and storms across these Indian states as monsoon advances; what travellers need to know
  • Fox, bear, wolf, or lion? These 5 dogs are often confused for wild animals
  • 8 career lessons every young woman should learn before 30
  • 10 baby girl names inspired by goddesses from around the world
  • Doctor explains 4 health markers that may reveal your heart attack and stroke risk before symptoms appear
Explore more Stories
  • 11
    10 countries where it is safe to drink tap water while travelling
  • 7
    Madhuri Dixit just gave denim fabric a couture upgrade with a saree, and the internet can't look away
  • 7
    Are you raising your child right? Sadhguru points out one parenting habit that may be teaching children the wrong lesson
  • 11
    10 unique sea snakes and places they can be found on beach by travellers
  • 11
    10 rare snakes found in the Amazon rainforest and what travellers should know
Up Next
  • ETimes
  • /
  • Life & Style
  • /
  • Relationships
  • /
  • Work
  • /
  • How to deal with mean coworkers
About UsTerms Of UsePrivacy PolicyCookie Policy

Copyright © Jun 4, 2026, 02.02PM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service