When Workplace Drama Finally Explodes
We’re not always friends with everyone at work. Heck, you may not even know some people in your cubicle cluster. But there’s a difference between cordial acquaintances and toxic people—and only one of them makes your 9-5 a nightmare. Join us as we go through some common red flags and explore a few ways to deal with them.
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1. Undermining Other Employees
It’s never a good feeling to get undermined at work, but it’s even worse when you see the culprit day-to-day. Whether it’s passive-aggressive comments or gossip through the grapevine, toxic employees have no problem belittling others’ hard work.
2. Constant Complaining
It’s one thing to complain about our bosses, but it’s another to complain about everything entirely. These negative Nancys drag the mood down, never have anything good to say, and can completely crush morale. At the end of the day, they make the whole office darker.
3. Spreading Gossip
Though gossip was fun in high school, we’re all adults now. The last thing professional employees want to hear is personal stories or shared secrets. Dragging people into gossip not only makes them uncomfortable, but it also makes them question what gets said about them. 
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4. Playing Office Politics
Hang on a second. You heard one thing from your boss, but now you’re hearing something else from your coworker. Wait—why aren’t you invited to lunch anymore? Office politics ruin a healthy work culture, and toxic employees are all too happy to play their part.
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5. Doing Your Own Thing
There’s nothing wrong with working quietly at your desk. There is, however, something wrong with going against the grain. From undermining their boss to refusing to learn new technology, toxic employees are set in their ways and make life harder for everyone.
6. Refusing to Work With Others
Doing your own thing can also mean alienating yourself. Unpleasant personalities may refuse to work on a team. They might ditch every Christmas party or work gathering. They might not even have cordial relationships with others. However it looks, it’s never a good thing.
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7. Passive-Aggressive Behavior
No one likes passive-aggressive people. Sarcastic remarks, victimizing, and even immature behavior like the silent treatment all indicate a toxic employee. The worst part is that passive-aggressive behavior takes many forms, so you never know what you’ll deal with.
8. Taking Everything Personally
It’s always hard to get feedback at work, but truly toxic people take everything personally. You can’t speak to them, you can’t offer constructive criticism—and every encounter turns into a battlefield. It’s also the perfect segue to victimize themselves.
9. Gaslighting
They weren’t wrong, you’re just crazy! Gaslighting is master manipulation at work, and it’s common in toxic people. It’s bad enough dealing with it one-on-one, but that manipulation can trickle to the top, too, which makes it harder to come into work.
10. Taking Credit for Others’ Work
Hey, job well done! Too bad Karen claimed all the work. It seems like something from an office drama, but taking credit happens more often than you think. That dishonesty is exactly how people climb to the top or present themselves as gold star employees—even when they’re not.
Now that we know what toxicity looks like, let’s talk about how you can keep the peace.
1. Set Firm Boundaries
Whether they like it or not, toxic employees need firm boundaries. Even if they cross the line, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you gave them a chance to behave better. In other cases, they won’t cross the line at all; some people just need a reminder of what is and isn’t okay.
2. Minimize Unnecessary Interactions
No one said you had to speak with Jan from accounting. While you’ll encounter the occasional run-in, try to minimize unnecessary interactions. The less you see them around the office, the better off you’ll be.
3. Document Everything
You can set every boundary. You can have every talk. But some people just push your buttons anyway. In more severe cases, it’s important to document everything. Emails, text messages, and even witnesses can all be brought to upper management.
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4. Build a Support Network
Though things seem bleak, a good support system helps you plow through. From friends and family to other coworkers, building a solid network gives you multiple places to turn. You can vent, you can cry, or you can just have a welcome distraction.
5. Focus on Yourself and Your Job
It’s easier said than done, but just try to focus on you. It’s hard to know why toxic employees have such a bad attitude, but you won’t get anywhere playing psychologist. For your own sanity, focus on your well-being and your job.
6. Don’t Take it Personally
Passive-aggressive jabs seem personal, but they often aren’t. Most of the time, toxic employees behave that way completely separate from your relationship. The less you take their comments to heart, the easier it is to deal with them.
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7. Prioritize Self-Care
Don’t let Karen get you down! Do what brings you joy as soon as you clock out. Go for a long walk. Make a great dinner. Sink into a bubble bath. Whatever self-care looks like to you, now’s the time to indulge.
8. Brainstorm Action Plans
To help you move forward, try and brainstorm a path there. What can you do to improve your relationship with this person? Does it need escalation to HR? What are some ways you can prioritize your needs? Those action plans put you back in the driver’s seat and give you the best odds for success.
9. Confront Them Directly
If you feel that an honest discussion would help, schedule one with them. Sometimes all you need is to clear the air. On the other hand, if things are particularly nasty, you can still schedule a call with them—and with upper management.
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10. Consider Speaking to a Therapist
Toxic environments weigh heavy on our bodies and brains. There’s no shame in recruiting help to get you through the weeds. Together, you can even come up with some ideas on how to move forward. At the very least, you’ll have a professional ear to listen!
