It's rather hard to learn how to deal with a jerk at the work place because each person has different types of "bad habits" while being "the jerk". I'll go into one situation I faced many years ago and it wasn't something I've never forgotten. I had this particular man who would constantly make snide remarks to me in reference to my sexual looks. As I would walk by him, I would totally ignore him and never responded to his lewd remarks, i.e., "When are you going to get rid of your husband so I can take you out? How come your your body always drives me crazy? I'll bet I could teach you a thing or two about sex, if I could get you in a bed. I'll bet I could make your bell ring like "no one" ever has.," etc., etc. I knew if I went to upper management, he would know it was me who told them the types of things he was saying to me. I was afraid of what repercussions I would have to face, if I did tell on him...my tires could get slashed or sand in my gas tank?

I put up with this situation for many months and I would totally ignore him. One day, I had to go into the back of a truck bed to inspect some damaged cargo. I was squatted down writing down the items that were damaged and all of a sudden, I felt this pair of arms reach around my upper torso. I swung around swiftly and to my surprise there was this "jerk" who had tormented me for so long. He was breathing heavily on my neck. I jumped up and he tackled me tight against the truck bed, forcing his body tightly against mine. His eyes were squinted and he had an evil smile on his face. He pushed me tighter against the truck bed while holding my hands above my head.

I looked him dead in the eyes and I said to him, "If you don't release me this very instant, I will start screaming, and my screams will bring employees to my aid. Get your filthy hands and body off me and I'll tell you this once and for all, if you ever make another advance toward me or ever say another thing to me, I'll go to the front office, and I'll see that you lose your job. I've put up with your dirty insinuations for a long time, but I'll not put up with anything from you any more. Keep your distant from me and don't ever speak to me again. Now, this will be the end of this, if you obey my requests, but if you don't, I'll report you immediately."

I walked away from him that day and I never looked back. He had to pass me several times in my career but he would hold his head down and walk pass without any eye contact whatsoever. My life was finally freed of a "jerk" who caused me many days of heartache and torture.

Learn more about this author, Barbara Kasey Smith.
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