by Dolores Moore

Created on: January 19, 2010

Most of us have to work for a living, and going to work can be an uplifting, satisfying experience, providing challenges and allowing for fun and friendships to develop.  At least, that is the ideal situation we would all hope to be in when we go out to earn a living.  When we have to think about how to deal with rude co-workers, it takes the joy out of a big part of life.  The best thing to do is to nip the rudeness in the bud,  not always easy,  but with time and persistence, it does work.

If at all possible,  try to remain distanced from the emotions that rudeness can bring.  For example, if you are always happy to help, to say please and thanks, to give everyone a pleasant greeting, and your positive behavior is met with rudeness, then do not curl up and slink away; try not to take it to heart and become hurt.  Instead, ask the person who is being rude if they heard you, if they have a problem, if there is anything you can do to help put it right.  That way, you are telling them that you know they are being rude, but also that you are giving them a chance to alter their stance.

Being rude is a form of power and control;  if it is really bad and impacting on the happiness of others,  it might honestly be described as a form of bullying.  And bullies do not like to confronted or stood up to.  Everyone deserves some human respect, and in the workplace,  common politeness expresses such respect, whereas rudeness denies it,  causing bad feelings and a destruction of relationships and good team work.  You really do need to confront it  and ask the person if they really mean to be hurtful, if they are aware of being rude and if they have any intentions to change.

Managers should be taking steps to curb rudeness in co-workers, if only for the sake of productivity the reduction of stress in their teams.  If they are aware of the rudeness, they have the ability to deal with it in the form of disciplinary action.  If they are not aware, then others should take steps to make them so.  That other might be you.  If you have tried to prevent the rudeness by approaching the person and trying to get them to change, and nothing happens, then you may have to involve your manager.  Believe me,  there will be plenty of support for this from others who have had to work out how to deal with rude co-workers and have failed to make any positive changes.

Whatever way you decide to go in tackling rude co-workers,  never just accept their rudeness as being tolerable.  No matter if anyone tells you "Oh,  that's just how he/she is, barks worse than their bite," do not be afraid to confront the truth of the situation and its damaging effects on others.  Tackle the rudeness calmly, politely, but tackle it head-on and take all steps to eradicate it.  That way, time spent at work can maybe go back to being a good, uplifting experience.  Politeness costs little, while rudeness can cost the people and the company very dearly. 

Learn more about this author, Dolores Moore.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.