How To Deal With a Coworker Who is Trying to Get You Fired

It can be challenging to deal with a coworker trying to get you fired. They may spread rumors about you or try to sabotage your work. If this is happening to you, don’t panic! You can take steps to protect yourself and deal with the situation.

In this blog post, we will discuss how to deal with a coworker who is trying to get you fired. In addition, we will provide tips on handling the situation and keeping yourself safe.

Signs that a coworker is trying to get you Fired

You know your coworker doesn’t like you, right? But how did you figure it out? What if your coworker doesn’t truly despise you? What if they’re just looking for a reason to get you fired?

There are some telltale signs that a coworker is trying to get you fired. If you notice any of these signs, you must be on guard and take action to protect yourself. Here are some signs that a coworker is trying to get you fired:

1. The Rumors

If there’s one thing that can destroy morale in the workplace, it’s gossip. And there’s always one person who seems to be at the center of every rumor mill. This co-worker is always busy spreading rumors about people. It can be about you sometimes, or it can be about someone else, but they never stop gossiping. If whatever they are discussing is a lie or a truth, or even a half-truth, they will never stop.

This will only destroy your reputation in front of other colleagues. Further, it can impact you, especially if you are a part of a particular team and don’t know what your team members would have heard about you from that person. So, in this case, you can’t clarify or come up with a solution because you don’t know anything about what’s happening. Gossiping coworkers are poisonous to any team environment and should be avoided at all costs.

2. They Gaslight You

If you feel like someone is constantly trying to make you doubt yourself, then it is possible that you are being gaslighted. This type of manipulation is often used by people in positions of power over others, such as in a work environment. Gaslighting aims to make you question your memories and judgment to control you better.

For example, someone might tell you that a meeting was moved to a different day when it was never moved at all. Or they might insist that you said something that you know you didn’t say. If you find yourself constantly second-guessing yourself, you must be aware of this manipulation technique to protect yourself against it.

3. The Narcissist

Narcissists are everywhere, and they can be complicated to deal with. They are often charming and charismatic but also have a dark side. Narcissists are self-centered and lack empathy for others. They will manipulate and use people to get what they want.

In the workplace, a narcissist may try to take credit for your work or ideas. They may try to undermine you in front of others. Or they may try to make you look bad so that they can look good by comparison. If you have a narcissist coworker, you must be aware of their tactics and protect yourself accordingly.

4. The Saboteur

A saboteur is someone who deliberately tries to destroy or undermine something. For example, in the workplace, a saboteur may try to sabotage your work or projects. They may do this by deliberately making mistakes or causing problems for you.

For example, a saboteur might delete important files from your computer, or they might make it difficult for you to access the resources you need to do your job.

Taking action is essential if you think someone is trying to sabotage your work. Talk to your supervisor or HR department about what’s happening. They can help you deal with the situation and protect your job.

5. The Slacker

The Slacker is a common type of coworker, and most people have encountered one at some point in their career. As the name suggests, a Slacker is someone who shirks their duties and tries to avoid doing any work. They often rely on others to pick up the slack, and they are quick to blame others when things go wrong. Slackers can be frustrating to work with, but it is essential to remember that they are often deeply insecure and require constant validation.

As such, it is often possible to win them over with a bit of patience and understanding. If you can find a way to help them feel needed and valued, they will usually start pulling their weight. However, if all else fails, it is best to avoid them and focus on your work.

Related: How To Deal With Employees Who Don’t Respect You

How to deal with a coworker who is trying to get you fired?

Now that you know the common types of toxic coworkers, you might wonder how to deal with them. Below are ten tips for dealing with these types of coworkers:

1. Keep A Record

If you have a coworker who is constantly making your life difficult, it is important to keep a record of their behavior. This can be helpful if you ever need to talk to HR or your supervisor about the situation. Keep track of dates, times, and specific incidents. This will help you build a case if you need to take action.

If possible, try to get other people to witness the behavior and provide statements. This will make it more difficult for your coworker to deny their behavior.

If you are dealing with a more subtle form of manipulation, such as gaslighting, it can be helpful to keep a paper trail. This will help you track your memories and experiences and can be used as evidence if necessary. Of course, it is essential to be professional at all times. Don’t stoop to their level or engage in unprofessional behavior yourself.

2. Set boundaries

It is crucial to set boundaries with toxic coworkers. This means communicating what you will and will not tolerate. For example, you might tell a coworker that you will no longer listen to their Complainer stories or say to a Narcissist that you will no longer share your ideas with them. Setting boundaries can be challenging, but it is necessary. It is also important to enforce your limits.

If a coworker crosses the line, you need to take action. This could mean walking away from a conversation or reporting the behavior to the human resources department. The important thing is that you follow through on your boundaries. Otherwise, your coworkers will learn that they can push you around.

Of course, also a part of this, it is important to be tactful when setting boundaries. You don’t want to make enemies at work, so try to be respectful and professional.

3. Check your company policy:

Many companies have policies in place to deal with toxic behavior. For example, some companies have a “zero tolerance” policy for bullying and harassment. If you report the behavior, the person will be immediately fired. Other companies have more lenient policies, but they still might take action if the behavior is reported.

Before taking any action, it is important to check your company policy. This will help you understand what options are available to you and help you avoid getting in trouble yourself. Ask HR or your supervisor if you’re unsure where to find the policy.

Remember that even if your company doesn’t have a specific policy, there might still be other options. For example, you might be able to report the behavior to your supervisor or HR. They might not be able to take action under company policy, but they can at least provide support and guidance.

4. Limit your communication with them

Toxic people are nothing but drama, and it is best to avoid them as much as possible. If you have a coworker constantly starting arguments or making sarcastic remarks, do your best to ignore them. It cannot be easy, but it is important not to engage in their drama. Passive-aggressive behavior is also a sign of a toxic person.

If someone is constantly trying to get a rise out of you, it is best to walk away. These people thrive on drama and confrontations, so you take away their power by avoiding them. It is not always easy to ignore these people, but it is the best thing you can do. Then, hopefully, they will lose interest and move on to someone else.

5. Seek help from your boss and HR

If you have tried to deal with the situation on your own, but it is not working, it might be time to seek help from your boss or HR. This can be a difficult step to take, but it is important to remember that you have rights at work. You should not have to put up with toxic behavior from a coworker.

By going to the business owner or HR, be prepared to explain the situation and provide evidence. This could include screenshots, copies of emails, your employment contract, proof of unfair dismissal, or even a journal detailing the behavior. It is important to have as much evidence as possible so that they can take action.

6. Do Your Job

There is no such thing as a perfect employee. However, one of the most crucial things you can do is to concentrate on your work and not allow the problem to get to you. When you feel like your coworkers are constantly putting you to the test, it might be challenging to stay calm and focused, but it’s critical to keep in mind that they’re only doing so because they want to see you fail.

You will probably be more successful long-term if you can be a great employee and allow your job to speak for itself. Also, whenever feasible, try to pick up new abilities and methods so that you may wow your employer and offer fresh and inventive ideas. Finally, you’ll increase your chances of succeeding at work by demonstrating that you are an important team member.

7. Find a New Job

If you have tried everything and nothing seems to be working, it might be time to find a new, better job. This can be a difficult decision, but sometimes it is the best thing you can do. A toxic workplace can have a negative impact on your mental health, so it is essential to do what is best for you.

You can do a few things to make finding a new job more manageable. First, reach out to your network of family and friends. They might be able to help you find a new job or put in a good word for you. You can also search online or attend job fairs.

Related: How To Handle Employee Conflict in the Workplace

Final Thoughts

Overall, dealing with a toxic coworker can be difficult, but it is essential to remember that you have rights at work. If you are being harassed or mistreated, do not hesitate to contact your boss or HR. You should also remember that you can always find a new job if the situation becomes too much to handle. Hopefully, by following these tips, you will be able to deal with the situation successfully.

Do you have any more tips for dealing with a toxic coworker? Let us know in the comments!

FAQ