In any work environment, you are bound to find a few bad apples. But sometimes, these bad apples can spoil the whole bunch creating a toxic work environment.
Toxic people come in a wide variety. While we can rid our lives of such people on a personal level when at work, it is much harder to accomplish.
Unfortunately, you cannot just ignore, deny or stop talking to them. This is especially true if they’re your boss or your job requires you to work with such a person.
What Are Toxic Coworkers in The Workplace?
Toxic coworkers are defined as coworker who displays toxic behavior or attitude that is harmful to an organization’s people and property.
These are people who cost the company in terms of cash, time, and productivity.
Toxic coworkers are often self-centered, overconfident, rude, and don’t like to play by the rules even when it makes sense.
Wanting to be the best in anything and everything, a toxic worker makes teamwork almost impossible to achieve.
Their attitude and character often lead to low morale, low productivity, and low job satisfaction level for the team.
Types of Toxic Coworkers At Work
There are many different types of toxic coworkers. Some are passive-aggressive, some are manipulative, and some are just plain old and difficult people to work with.
No matter what type of toxic coworker you have, they can make your work life miserable, and learning how to deal with them can make a big difference.
There are roughly 7 types of toxic coworkers which creates different toxic work cultures.
- Energy Vampires; Gossips, Incessant Talkers, Constant Worriers, Cravers of Attention
- Vapid Manipulators; Consummate Liars, Gas lighters, Backstabbers, Vindictive Retaliators
- Insufferable Narcissists; Self-Congratulators
- Self-Righteous Judges
- Storm Bringers
- Micromanagers
- Melodramatic Kings/Queens
We’ll discuss the different types of toxic coworkers along with how to spot the signs and the best ways to deal with toxic coworkers at the workplace.
1. Energy Vampires
Everyone has experienced a coworker who saps you of your energy; be it physical, mental, emotional, or even spiritual.
There are four ways this can manifest:
- Gossipers: An individual who has the habit of spreading rumors, talking casually about others, and propagating half-truths about people.
- Incessant talking: An individual who is too chatty, who compulsively keeps talking in different environments.
- Constant worrying: An individual who worries about everything, big or small, which negatively affects the people around them.
- Craving attention: An individual who is an attention seeker, consciously or unconsciously attempting to become the center of attention.
While energy vampires are bad, they don’t know what they are doing is actually bad. They are simply being themselves at work.
Gossipers
The number one type of energy vampire in the workplace is a gossiper. They talk behind people’s backs all the time. Most gossipers blackmouth their coworkers, emitting a negative energy that can cause a serious drain on another’s well-being.
“Let’s say you arrive at work in a very good mood. A gossip walks in and starts trashing everyone who hasn’t yet arrived. You’re still in the fog of the morning and your attitude quickly shifts from bright and sunny to dark and cloudy. It happens to everyone at least once in their life.“
Incessant Talkers
Another common way people can become energy vampires is how they keep constantly talking nonstop.
Just when you think they finished, they talk some more. Compulsive talking is even worse when they seem to talk about nothing of importance or don’t often make any logical sense.
The other kind of incessant talker is the person who says things to shock people intentionally every minute of the day. They use colorful language and controversial speech just to get a rise out of people. Of all the energy vampires, this type is definitely aware of what they’re doing.
Constant Worriers
People who constantly worry don’t often realize how they throw their energies around to others.
Constant worriers sometimes have a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which causes them to fail to relax, leading to feeling pessimistic about everything that happens around them.
“Worrying and fear are infectious friends.”
If one person is always worried or afraid of something, it will spread like cancer to the rest of the staff, especially if their worrying accompanies incessant talking.
Cravers of Attention
Everyone knows at least one person who is an effervescent attention-seeker.
They crave constant interaction, insist on paying attention to them when you’re hard at work, and/or always need reassurance.
Naturally, this can be a huge drain on anyone’s psyche. Not only does this inhibit efficiency but it also robs you of productivity.
How to Cope with Energy Vampires
Because most energy vampires don’t realize that’s what they’re doing, it is possible to try and discuss the problem with them.
The only exception is an incessant talker who says things that are intentionally rude, obtuse, or shocking. For these people, don’t let what they say bother you and pass this tip on to other coworkers.
If any diplomatic efforts fail, then the best you can do is draw boundaries.
Be firm, and assertive, and don’t be afraid to speak your mind plainly.
For instance, if someone is a gossiper or incessant talker, you must interrupt them as they’re speaking.
Say something like, “Excuse me! Stop, for a minute. Look, I’m trying to finish my work and it really bothers me when you talk like this. I don’t mean to be rude but you have to understand I have to put my foot down here.”
2. Vapid Manipulators
In every office, there is at least one coworker who constantly manipulates, deceives, lies, gaslights, backstabs, or retaliates.
These scary coworker personalities fall under the umbrella of what most people construe as being evil. Their behaviors can crush others and kill their spirit.
Unfortunately, manipulating you for their benefit is exactly the intention of vapid manipulators.
Consummate Liars
There are three types of liars.
- Half-truth tellers: These individuals mix lies with the truth, creating stories that seem believable that give them an advantage at work.
- Omission wizards: Similar to half-truth tellers, the omission wizards omit important facts for their advantage. They are convinced that they are not telling a lie because they aren’t telling you anything.
- Habitual liars: These liars simply live a life of lies, lying to them is not only a habit, but it is their way of life.
Regardless of the type of liars, lying comes in naturally to them. In some cases, they even believe their own lies.
Lies can be hurtful and can damage the relationships between coworkers, leading to a toxic working environment.
Gaslighters
Gaslighting is when a person intentionally diverts the truth or presents false narratives that result in self-doubt or cause mental anguish in some way. There are many ways gaslighters execute their manipulations. Gaslighters come in many shapes and forms.
They will say they did a project when they didn’t, they will lie to cover their own butts as long as they make others look bad and spin the facts of any given situation.
The main understanding here is that they use a conglomeration of deceptive tactics to get their way, make themselves look good, and often disregard the people they hurt.
In fact, many gaslighters get off on upsetting people and turning others’ lives upside down.
Backstabbers
Although backstabbers utilize gaslighting concepts, they aren’t gaslighters per se.
Backstabbers pretend to be kind and nice, showing a face of friendship and trustworthiness. They use this false persona so others will let down their guards.
They’re very opportunistic and quick to use any bit of information they gain about you to use against you.
Vindictive Retaliators
Vindictive retaliators may consider normal action and seemingly normal activity as a personal insult that is directed against them.
- When coworkers get to lead a project, they feel insulted.
- When coworkers receive a promotion before they do, they feel insulted.
- When coworkers get praised by their boss, but not them, they feel insulted.
Vindictive retaliators will go to great lengths to get revenge against the “aggressor”, irregardless of their incorrect perceptions that they are being insulted.
These people focus on the work, behavior, and actions of others, while they fail to concentrate on their own performance.
Which furthers their vindictive spirit by resorting to placing blame on others for their shortcomings and refusing to take responsibility for themselves.
How to Cope with Vapid Manipulators
Of all toxic coworkers, vapid manipulators are the most tricky to deal with. That said, distance yourself from these people as much as possible.
- Do not give them too much information about yourself and don’t be too honest about your personal life.
- When you suspect they may try to outsmart you, ensure you document the occurrence as best you can.
- Take photos, and videos, and make notes; ensure you jot down the time, date, and number of instances.
And if all else fails… believe in Karma…
Control is an illusion and those who attempt to subdue others will ultimately meet their own demise in the precise methods they set out to inflict; such is the law of karma.
3. Insufferable Narcissists
“Have you ever known a coworker who constantly looks at himself or herself in the mirror?”
“What about someone who touts their achievements or thinks they are the best in the world at what they do?”
These are some examples of the insufferable narcissist.
Insufferable narcissists are in love with themselves and often think they’re better than everyone else. They post how great they are on social media, they constantly pat their own back during meetings and frequently carry an arrogance or hubris about them.
While many instances of this type of toxicity are benign, some extreme cases can be incredibly detrimental.
For instance, an unchecked narcissist who’s also attention-seeking will exude progressively worse behavior.
Because they think so highly of themselves, there is no room for anyone else.
This attitude will get in the way of efficiency and productivity.
Self-Congratulators
When someone is constantly patting him/herself on the back, this is a self-congratulatory pursuit. These people always boast some aspect of themselves and it can be incredibly annoying.
They praise their skills, talent, education, experience, intelligence, or some other such thing above everyone else.
In severe cases, it will almost be a compulsion for them; treating everyone in the office as if they wouldn’t survive without their particular know-how.
How to Cope with Insufferable Narcissists
While there is no real way to deal with an insufferable narcissist directly, you can avoid giving your attention and energy to them. Regardless, they may love themselves enough that they don’t require any affirmation from others.
However, if no one acknowledges the accolades or gives credence to how they puff themselves up, their behavior will subside – at least at work.
Do not confront a narcissist, it’s a dangerous proposition.
This is because most of them will lay it on even thicker than they were before because they will interpret your words as jealousy.
But if you know their personality well, there is something you can do.
In the event they’re generally kind and caring but exude a narcissistic way of being, you may be able to have a heart-to-heart at the right moment.
4. Self-Righteous Judges
Most people have experienced the kind of person who judges, criticizes, and berates other people on a regular basis.
These self-righteous judges are also called the “know-it-alls” at work.
Self-righteous judges present themselves as all-wise and all-knowing, minimizing the efforts and hard work of anyone else. If other people don’t fit their standards, the self-righteous judge will bestow their verdict and punishment upon anyone.
It’s common for these people to never like anything others do but always love what they produce.
Unfortunately, this is a common stance for managers, CEOs, and others in higher positions.
How to Cope with Self-Righteous Judges
Because the ego of self-righteous judges tends to be bigger than the actual size of the person, you must cater to it a little bit.
“Don’t enable this behavior too much, but give just enough to acknowledge your respect for their skills.”
Then, you have to balance this with what you want to get out of the situation while also showing them they aren’t 100% correct about everything.
It’s a delicate balance that can quickly go awry if you’re not careful.
Therefore, you must develop a plan of action based on observation of what you know will work and what doesn’t with them.
Practical Example Of Coping with Self-Righteous Judges
For instance, let’s say the self-righteous judge doesn’t like the report your team produced.
For whatever reason, they find the information lacks clarity and there isn’t any real backbone behind the facts presented. But, they didn’t really iterate what they were looking for, to begin with, and your team flew blind.
Instead of being combative and taking offense to their criticisms, calmly restate the guidelines, they gave you to go on.
Point out that there was no indication of such information in the instructions.
- If it is a coworker and the individual disagrees with you, simply nod and walk away, let the individual calm down before discussing the issue any further.
- If it is your boss or manager and the individual disagrees with you, simply nod and redo the project according to their requirement, don’t argue as it never ends well with self-righteous judges.
5. Storm Bringers
Every once in a while, a coworker comes along who has a raincloud above their head no matter where they go.
These are the storm bringers, who are very depressive and they are often a wet blanket every chance they get.
Their word choices are negative and soul-zapping with a tone of voice that depresses even the happiest of people.
How to Cope with a Storm Bringer
The good news about storm bringers is that most of them do respond to kindness, compassion, and random acts of positivity.
While there are a few exceptions, a great number of these sad, depressive people just need a pick-me-up.
- Try to bring them their favorite coffee in the morning, a flower you find on the way to work, or a brighten-your-day greeting card.
- Always check on them and ask them how they are; be interested in who they are and make friends with them.
Chances are, repeated positive interactions will subside their need to be a wet blanket.
However, some people will insist on being a stick in the mud no matter what you do.
Not only are they storm bringers, but they’re also stubborn about it. This means you will have to handle them carefully and only be as kind as they’ll allow. Respect their space and show them the necessary amount of respect.
6. Micromanagers
Micromanagers usually have the best intentions when they nitpick and scrutinize everything you do. This is different from the self-righteous judge; they aren’t necessarily criticizing or berating but they do force us to feel like we’re walking on eggshells.
They do not allow any amount of self-autonomy for anyone on the job.
Sometimes, micromanagers have a difficult time delegating tasks because they believe they can’t trust anyone to do things properly.
In other instances, it may feel like it’s impossible to do anything right.
How to Cope with Micromanagers
When you have someone constantly looking over your shoulder at everything you do, you must confront the situation.
This doesn’t mean being aggressive or cruel. It does require you to stand on your own two feet and own your talents.
In other words, stand up for yourself in a calm yet precise manner.
7. Melodramatic Kings/Queens
Some people have a natural propensity for drama, especially the people who enjoy playing the victim role.
They love to embroil themselves in it and they create situations to satisfy this desire.
While this type of toxic person usually isn’t too bad, there are some instances where they wreak havoc and chaos in the office on a regular basis.
How to Cope with Drama Kings/Queens
As long as their dramatic tendencies do not impede efficiency and progress, there’s really nothing to do about drama kings or queens.
Unless this accompanies also being an energy vampire or a gaslighter, it’s just who they are.
However, if their melodrama interferes in some way, you must counteract it with reason and point out how ridiculous the person is acting.
Read Also:
- How to Handle a Toxic Work Environment & Survive a Hostile Workplace
- 7 Types of Toxic Coworkers and How to Deal with Them at Work
- How to Deal With Narcissists at Work, When They Are Your Boss or Coworkers
- 10 Bad Boss Behaviors That Make 50% of Good Employees Quit Their Job
- 10 Effective Ways to Deal with Gossip at Work
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