If you’ve got a coworker that’s out to get you fired, it can be a pretty tough situation. No one wants to be the target of office politics, and it can be hard to know how to deal with someone who’s trying to make your work life difficult
In fact, it can be really annoying when a coworker is constantly trying to get you in trouble with the boss. Whether they’re sabotaging your work or spreading rumors about you, it’s never fun to be on the receiving end of their attempts to get you fired. So how to deal with that?
How to deal with a coworker who’s trying to get you fired?
1- Talk to your coworker in private and directly:
If you have a coworker who is trying to get you fired, it can be a very stressful situation. After all, your livelihood is at stake. However, it is important to remember that you are not powerless. There are things you can do to protect yourself and improve the situation.
One of the most important things you can do is talk directly to your coworker. Take them to a private and free office at work or even ask them out for a coffee after lunch. The point is to isolate them and then calmly ask them what their motives and reasons for attacking you are. They could deny it all and become extremely friendly because they will realize that you’re confrontational and will not tolerate their attacks.
This also lets them know that you are aware of what they are doing and that you are not going to take it lying down. Additionally, it gives you an opportunity to try to resolve the situation without resorting to drastic measures. If talking doesn’t work, or if your coworker is actually endangering your job, then you may need to take more drastic measures. So tell them that, if they become rude while you’re trying to communicate with them.
The drastic measures can include talking to your boss or HR about the situation. By taking decisive action, you’ll be more likely to keep your job and avoid getting a reputation as someone who can’t handle difficult situations.
2- Defend yourself and your reputation:
If you have a coworker that’s trying to get you fired, the next best thing you can do is explain your version of the story to everyone. Chances are, your boss has already heard the rumors, and if you explain what really happened, they’ll be more inclined to believe you.
It’s very important to defend yourself if your coworker is trying to get you fired by all means. Don’t let them bully you into admitting something that isn’t true.
In the end, if you stand up for yourself then it will teach others too not to test your patience in the future. If your coworker is spreading lies about you, try to put it all to an end by telling everyone exactly what they’re doing. If you have evidence to support your claims then it will be easier. If not, it might not be easy, but it’s one of the only ways to protect your job.
3- Stay calm, polite, and collected through the entire incident:
When someone is trying to provoke you at work, they could have nothing at all against you, at first. However, triggering you for an extreme reaction and having you lash out or show your unprofessional side at the office may be their goal.
So try to stay calm and collected. It can be tempting to snap at them or give them a piece of your mind, but that will only make the situation worse. Instead, try to keep your cool and focus on doing your job well.
If you’re quick to lose your temper or have anger issues then see if it’s possible to try to avoid them. If they’re constantly trying to start arguments or gossip about you, it might be best to just stay out of their way. If you can’t avoid them, try to keep your interactions brief and polite. That will be better than throwing a punch at them, think about it.
4- Let your superiors know what’s happening:
As mentioned earlier in the first point, if all else fails, you can always talk to your boss or HR about the situation. That in itself is a good strategy and maybe the only one that will work in the end to protect your livelihood and income.
So let your superiors or HR know what’s going on and let them deal with it. After all, they’re the ones in charge and they’ll want to know if there’s someone causing problems in the workplace.
Tell them the entire story and show them proof, if possible. They’ll see that you’re not the one in the wrong and they’ll know how to deal with the situation. If you handle it yourself, it could come back to bite you. Letting the bosses know is the best way to deal with a coworker that’s trying hard and working extra shifts just to get you fired.
5- Lay low and let the storm pass:
If you’ve done nothing wrong, then you have nothing to fear. The best way to prove your innocence could be by putting your head down and continuing to work hard. This might not be the best advice but it’s an approach too and some people prefer to do this rather than fight back and risk losing their job more.
If your coworker is successful in getting you fired, it won’t be because of anything you did wrong. It will be because they were able to convince someone in a position of power that you were a liability.
So don’t let them get to you and just focus on doing your job the proper way to prove yourself and your importance to everyone. If your superiors realize that you’re an asset and that you’re someone who stays out of trouble, then even this person’s best efforts to get you fired won’t work.
In the end, if this colleague is someone you got close to and they’re now trying to ruin your life, then check this article out on how to slowly distance yourself from a coworker. It might send them the message that you’d rather be alone than close to someone who will turn around and try to stab you in the back.