Surviving the Workplace Jungle: Dealing with Uncooperative Coworkers


Surviving the Workplace Jungle: Dealing with Uncooperative Coworkers


Ah, the workplace—a thrilling jungle of personalities, coffee-fuelled drama, and passive-aggressive email chains. If you’ve worked anywhere for longer than five minutes, you’ve probably encountered that coworker. You know the one: the expert at dodging responsibility, the human incarnation of ‘not my problem,’ or the person whose entire work strategy revolves around sighing dramatically until someone else does their job.

But fear not! Just because your office is teeming with these delightful characters doesn’t mean your productivity (or sanity) has to suffer. Let’s navigate the treacherous waters of uncooperative coworkers together—with a touch of humour, a dash of patience, and possibly a well-timed biscuit bribe.


1. The Procrastinating Phantom

This coworker has mastered the art of disappearing when work is afoot. Assign them a task, and suddenly they’re conveniently on a break, in a meeting, or deeply engaged in an emergency game of Solitaire. When deadlines loom, they transform into a whirlwind of excuses, ranging from "Oh, I thought you were handling that!" to "I was about to do it—literally just now!"


How to Handle Them:

  • Set Clear Deadlines: Vague timeframes are their playground. Be precise: "I need this by 3 PM Friday, not 'soon' or 'eventually.'"

  • Put It in Writing: An email with clear instructions ensures there's no "Oh, I didn’t realise!" nonsense later.

  • Check-in Regularly: A gentle nudge can work wonders. "Hey, just checking on that report! Hope it's coming along!" (Translation: I know it’s not coming along, but let’s pretend.)

  • Preemptive Panic: Act as if the deadline is sooner than it really is. If you need it by Friday, tell them it's due Wednesday. It’s like workplace time travel, and it works.

2. The Credit Snatcher

This charming individual somehow manages to take credit for everything from your latest project to the invention of fire. You do the work, and they swoop in at the last moment with a triumphant "We really pulled it off, didn’t we?" We? WE?


How to Handle Them:

  • Speak Up Early: If you’re leading a project, make it clear who’s responsible for what. "I’m looking forward to presenting my work on Friday!"

  • Document Everything: Keep records of who did what. If necessary, CC your boss in progress updates.

  • Public Praise: A well-placed, "Thanks for your help on my project!" in a team meeting ensures credit lands where it should.

  • The Direct Approach: If they keep at it, a friendly-yet-pointed, "Oh, I didn’t realise you were involved in that part!" can make them reconsider their kleptomaniac tendencies.

3. The Office Grump

Nothing pleases them. Nothing. You could deliver a project made of solid gold, and they’d find a way to complain about the reflection being too bright. They thrive on negativity and see optimism as a personal attack.


How to Handle Them:

  • Don’t Engage in the Moan-Fest: If they start whinging about everything, don’t join in. Change the subject or respond with absurd positivity: "Yes, the new policy is terrible, but at least we still have biscuits in the break room!"

  • Set Boundaries: If they sap your energy, limit interactions. "I’m swamped—let’s chat later!" (Spoiler: There will never be a ‘later.’)

  • Kill Them with Kindness: Relentless cheeriness is like garlic to a workplace vampire.

  • Be Direct: If they constantly bring down morale, a polite but firm "I prefer to focus on solutions rather than problems" can shut them down.

4. The Delegate-ologist (a.k.a. The Slacker-in-Chief)

This person’s job is seemingly to make you do their job. Every email they send is a cleverly disguised delegation: "Could you just quickly…?" "Would you mind taking a look at…?" "Since you’re so great at this…!"

How to Handle Them:

  • Set Limits: "I’d love to help, but I’ve got my own workload!" is a powerful sentence. Use it.

  • Push Back Politely: "I can help with part of this, but I don’t have time for the whole thing."

  • Turn It Back on Them: "I’d be happy to show you how to do it so you can take care of it yourself next time!" Watch them evaporate.

5. The Serial Gossiper

If drama were an Olympic sport, they’d take home gold. They know everything about everyone—and they’d love to share it with you. Unfortunately, getting involved in office gossip is like adopting a baby tiger: cute at first, but it will turn on you eventually.

How to Handle Them:

  • Change the Subject: "Oh wow, did you see the latest team email? Wild stuff!"

  • Be Boring: Respond to juicy gossip with a dull "Oh, that’s interesting," and watch them lose interest in you.

  • Avoid Contributing: If they fish for your opinion, shrug and move on. No comment, no problem.

  • Exit Strategy: "Oh, I’d love to chat, but I have a meeting!" Even if the ‘meeting’ is with your lunch.

6. The Overly Competitive One

For this person, everything is a competition. If you’ve worked late, they’ve worked later. If you’ve done a great job, they’ve done it better. The only way they’ll stop one-upping you is if you start claiming to be the King.

How to Handle Them:

  • Don’t Play Their Game: Smile, nod, and let them win their imaginary contest. You have better things to do.

  • Stay Confident: Their behaviour is about them, not you. Keep doing your job well, and don’t get sucked into their rivalry.

  • Give Them a Win: Occasionally, let them have their moment. "Wow, you really are the fastest email replier in the department!" Enjoy their confused reaction.

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Sanity Intact

Dealing with uncooperative coworkers is an unfortunate part of professional life. But with a mix of strategy, humour, and the occasional deep breath, you can survive the workplace jungle. Remember:

  • Stay professional, even when you’d rather respond with sarcasm.

  • Protect your own workload—your job is not to compensate for someone else’s laziness.

  • Pick your battles. Not every fight is worth your energy.

  • Keep biscuits nearby for morale (yours, not theirs).

And most importantly—keep your sense of humour. Good luck out there!


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I own & operate Web Design Imagineers, designing and delivering effective websites and mobile apps to the business community.

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