by Tim Carter

Created on: February 10, 2010   Last Updated: February 11, 2010

The co-worker from hell is an attention seeker. This person will moan loudly about their job or the company or other workers or the boss. The smart advice is normally to avoid this person and not get involved with their time wasting and often aggravating behaviour. To want revenge however suggests that you have been directly affected by the antics of this `energy sucker`. Working in a small company or in the same department of a bigger one will eventually put you in the dilemma of how to react to the demands of the satanic colleague. My firm belief, contrary to what I initially inferred above, is to actually embrace the whole situation and interact positively and politely with the person in question.

The strategy recommended will initially take up more of your time than you think it is possibly worth, but the longer term benefits will definitely be advantageous. You will also be able to relax in the warm feeling of successful revenge that your target will not even blame on you. Listen to their rants sympathetically, but on no account align yourself to their viewpoints. At this stage your other colleagues will be pleased with the break from the usual, persistent interference and you will also go up in their estimation. This is a pleasant side effect  your patience, but not the main reason for this tactic.

The second part of your maneuvering could be considered risky, but with risk comes reward. You will have gained the confidence of your co-worker from hell (C-W.F.H) and it is at this point you must be decisive. Encourage them as much as you dare,  to believe that they have a cast iron case against whatever it is you are most upset about. It is also essential now that you must persuade them to take the issue up with the manager in the full knowledge that they will make a complete fool of them self if they do.

Speed of action will now be of the essence. Fix up a meeting with your manager and ensure that your views will be treated in the strictest confidence. Plainly tell the manager how you and your close colleagues have been affected by this person and their attitude. If you have the guts then also tell the manager you have heard the C-W.F.H boasting how they are going to take up the issue with them. Presuming that the manager probably thinks along the same lines as you then you have completed the classic sting.

You have lit the blue touchpaper. Stand back and watch the fireworks. Worst case scenario will be the C-W.F.H will realise your involvement, but will also understand that you are not to be messed with in the future. The best outcome will be that the manager will have the ideal opportunity to put this person in their place and you will be a legend amongst your other colleagues for sorting out the problem.

Learn more about this author, Tim Carter.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.