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VIEWPOINT
Tackle bad behaviour of co-worker in a firm manner
Good manners and even simple courtesies come at a premium these days. Each day we encounter people who put us off, annoy us, and stress us out with their obnoxious behaviour. They make personal remarks, they criticise and manipulate; they conduct themselves callously, show no regard for the sensitivities of those around them, and act like it is beneath their dignity to say thank you or sorry. Rude behaviour is not only inappropriate, it has other serious fallouts. Rude beh
aviour from a coworker or boss can cause deep humiliation and demoralise employees. It can lower engagement and commitment levels, cause emotional burnout and ruin productivity, according to latest research.
From a practical viewpoint, there is no safe firewall to insulate you from rude people. It was in news recently that more than 29 percent of working professionals routinely encounter someone who is rude or unprofessional over the course of their job. More than 59 percent have to contend with coworkers who frequently behave badly, equally offending subordinates, peers and superiors. While statistics like these do nothing to promote healthy workplace behaviour, they are an eye opener. It’s time people took notice and gave rude behaviour the proper put down it deserves.
At some point of time or other, we all have to contend with the irritating coworker or the regular wise guy trying to prove just how much more smarter he is with his thoughtless comments and ill-mannered, boorish behaviour. And while your first impulse might be to reply in kind, it is important that you stay calm and don’t let temper get the better of you. There is a method to deal with rudeness, and it certainly does not involve returning the favour.
Identify bad behaviour: Inappropriate behaviour not only means verbal abuse or hostile behaviour. Anyone who shows lack of tact, basic courtesy and complete disregard for someone else’s rights or emotions is being rude. Train yourself to be open to the cues (body language, tone, eye contact). Of course, you may choose not to respond to every single rude look or nuance, and sometimes limiting your interactions may work just as well as any other tactic. You have to pick and choose your battles, simply because responding to every single rude remark you encounter can drain you emotionally and serve no other purpose than aggravating the situation. You may let go a catty remark by a perfect stranger who cuts you off in the highway, but that does not mean you will tolerate disrespectful behaviour from a client or coworker. Choosing your battles wisely will help you conserve your energy for your priorities.
Avoid reciprocating in the same vein:. Reacting in kind can quickly escalate the conflict and result in increasingly aggressive behaviour. Silent withdrawal will not solve the problem either. Set personal standards, and don’t allow others to overstep their limits. You need to stand your ground and at the same time make it clear that such behaviour will not be tolerated. Speak as calmly as possible and let the person know that that you find the behaviour offensive.
If the situation worsens and disrupts your ability to work peacefully, talk about the situation to trusted colleagues and request for help or bring it to the notice of your boss. Sometimes the management may just decide to look the other way and ignore such behaviour even when it is disrupting employee morale and productivity. Just don’t give up. It is your responsibility to stand up and fight for your rights. Every employee is entitled to be treated in a courteous and dignified manner regardless of his stature in the company. And it is the duty of the management to ensure that the workplace upholds good values and employees display polite, respectful behaviour. Companies for their part need to encourage employees to stand up and speak out against rude behaviour. Managers also need to be positive role models and reinforce desirable values and behaviour. In the end, when an employee feels that he is being treated with respect by the organisation and those he works with, he is less likely to be rude and offensive himself.
BINDU SRIDHAR
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