Beat The Office Bully

Wouldn't work be lovely if your colleagues were your best friends and supported you through thick and thin? Sadly, we know that's not always the case: just as you can't choose your family, you can't choose your colleagues. So what can you do if you work with someone who's intent on making your job harder? Many of us have worked with a person who makes our job difficult, says personal and professional development specialist Dena Michelli. Perhaps they blame you for their mistakes or cast you in a bad light. You should take it as a compliment, as people behave like this when they feel threatened. Alternatively, if the office schemer is making your life a total misery, here are some tips on how to fight back...

Stealing Your Idea	'If you feel a colleague is passing off your ideas as their own, the only way to deal with it is to expose them,' says Michelli. Don't storm in and make an accusation, though - even if you are angry and emotional. Instead, explain how their behaviour made you feel, or you could try to build a bridge between you by saying something like, 'You obviously thought my idea was good; perhaps we could work together on the next project.' This will make the person take responsibility for their actions.
Bad-Mouthing You To The Boss
Faking Friendship

Author: Nicole Mowbray