Make Way For the Office Kiss-Up
Is there anything worse than having to deal with an office brown-noser? Aside from their embarrassing behavior, they often find a way to weasel their way into the boss’s office for special treatment or one-on-one meetings that affect everyone else. Unfortunately, there’s just no way around them in most office spaces, but there are strategies to deal with them!
1. Constant Yes Men
Does your boss need help with a new project? Do they need someone to stay late with no overtime pay? Do they need someone to wipe their—okay, the office kiss-up won’t go that far, but you get our point! Brown-nosers jump on every opportunity to better their colleagues and stand out as the shining star employee, no matter what that entails.
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2. Always Asking for Advice
There’s no shame in asking your boss for advice, but there’s a difference between the odd pep talk and living in their office. Managers appreciate employees who tackle challenges head-on, but kiss-ups often revert to their boss’s wisdom. Usually, it’s a tactic meant to worship management’s every word.
3. Personalized Gifts
Most managers don’t mind the odd Christmas card or a bottle of wine, but suck-ups take things way too far. From birthday gifts to over-the-top holiday presents, it’s obvious when employees spend half a paycheck just to look good.
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4. Special Treatment for Management
Have you ever noticed that certain employees talk smack about management behind their backs but always have a smile when they appear? It’s not unheard of for colleagues to band together against terrible bosses, but kiss-ups aren’t shy about the Jekyll and Hyde transformation.
5. They Betray Co-Workers
One of the worst things brown-nosers do is undermine their colleagues. They might take credit for your idea. They might throw you under the bus in a meeting. Sometimes, they report the slightest infraction to build a case against you.
6. They Like to Start Drama
Some suck-ups stick to their own agendas—others deliberately cause office drama. It could be something as simple as sending passive-aggressive emails or more nefarious behavior, such as starting a rumor; either way, the more alienated their coworkers are, the better chance they have to advance.
7. Sticking to the Boss Like Glue
We’re not saying to ignore your boss at company events! However, it’s one thing to talk to them, but it’s another to stick to them. If that coworker doesn’t have any relationships outside management, you know you’re dealing with a brown-noser.
8. They Warm Up to Every Boss
It’s always a little weird when new management comes in. You never know how they’ll treat you or if they’re a stickler for the rulebook. Kiss-ups won’t care. They’ll schmooze with every boss that walks into the office, and it’s a giant red flag.
9. Laughing at Every Joke
Hey, sometimes your boss is genuinely funny! There’s nothing wrong with chuckling at their comments—but suck-ups treat every word like a comedy special. In particularly embarrassing cases, they’ll laugh the loudest just to make a point.
10. They Have the Same Interests
Wow. Your boss likes soccer, and so does the kiss-up. They like all the same movies. They play all the same sports. Actually, the more you think about it, it’s almost like the brown-noser doesn’t have a personality at all. Sadly, they know what they’re doing, and it’s definitely on purpose.
Kiss-ups are just another headache to deal with in the office, which is the last thing you need. Don’t worry, we’re here to share a few ways you can deal with them.
1. Ignore Them
It sounds pedestrian, but sometimes ignoring someone is the only way to deal with them. Let them embarrass themselves and focus on your own work. The good news is that most managers don’t even like brown-nosers, and they’ll call out that behavior on their own.
2. Focus on Your Own Job
It doesn’t really matter what your colleagues do—focus on your own job. If you have to deal with the kiss-up, keep things professional and go about your day. No one said you had to make small talk with them or include them in every meeting.
3. Improve Your Work Ethic
Is there something better you could do at work? We’re not talking about showing up early or taking on unpaid hours; we’re talking about improving your department. Your work ethic helps you stand out at the office, and that kiss-up isn’t inside your head. If you have new ideas, don’t be afraid to share them with your boss.
4. Call Them Out for Undermining You
Many brown-nosers assume you won’t confront them—prove them wrong! While you don’t need to start a fight, you can easily speak with them about poaching your ideas or belittling you in meetings. It’s also a good idea to keep any conversations in writing.
5. Stand Firm in Your Decision
Difficult employees try to gaslight you into thinking everything is honky-dory. They’ll tell you everything is fine and continue their passive-aggressive behavior. Try not to let them push you around. Stand firm in your decision to call them out and don’t let them continue their habits.
6. Have a Place to Vent
Workplace drama is one of the toughest things to deal with, so make sure you have a place to vent. Whether it’s fellow colleagues or loved ones at home, there’s no shame in grabbing drinks to blow off some steam.
7. Don’t Make Things Worse
Many brown-nosers are just itching for you to make things worse. They want you to slip up at work or cause a scene so they can come out as the bigger person. As frustrating as it is, don’t bite. If they’re truly impeding your performance, you can always call a meeting with management to set things right.
8. Challenge Their Inconsistencies
Wait a minute—that coworker just said they were fine with your idea. However, they changed their tune in the big meeting. Suck-ups thrive on inconsistencies, and there’s nothing wrong with challenging them. You don’t have to be rude, but you can ask for clarification and see how they handle it.
9. Don’t Try to Befriend Them
A lot of suck-ups only feign friendship. Despite the corporate world’s beliefs, you don’t need to befriend every colleague. In fact, trusting them with information is a good avenue for future backstabbing. At the end of the day, just be cordial.
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10. Report Them to HR
Not every brown-noser stops at office drama. Some can cause significant rifts at work or continuously make your life harder. If that’s the case, speak to HR about them. Keep a record of everything you want to discuss, too. You both share the workplace, and there’s no reason you should be uncomfortable.
