The answer to this question is very simple. You don’t! You don’t need to deal with them as you have got nothing to do with them. Ignore them like they do not exist and half of your problems will be solved. The most important thing to remember here is that they are your co-workers, not your friends. You don’t owe them anything. You do not need to fix them. If you could just do your work and stay out of their trappy games, you’d be at peace. If they are in the same team, you have to be polite and say hello or wish them but do not try to build any kind of relationship that might impact you later on.
Table of Contents
- How do you spot office snakes?
- How do you ignore the office snakes?
- Why do snake coworkers behave like this?
- What to do when they talk down to you?
- How would you deal if ignoring the snake coworkers does not work?
How Do You Spot Office Snakes?
Such people often come across as over-friendly and overly polite but you need not fall into their traps. You might not identify them at the earliest but you will eventually. Be very aware of people who are always somehow involved in every office gossip, you might notice easily how they are trying to manipulate everyone. They never take responsibility for their work, actions or inaction and would blame others. Here are some common types of snakes that can be found in every office:
The one who loves to steal credit:
You have worked day and night on a project, managed deadlines and met expectations but at the end, another co-worker somehow gets in between and informs your seniors that they are the ones who have finished that project. There, that’s the kind of snake co-worker who steals credit. They like to play the victim and put it upon you that you are the one who has stolen the credit.
The one who loves to spread rumours:
You had a really bad fever, you took emergency sick leave and yet after two days, you returned to the office because you knew you needed to get the work done. But when you reach there you realise your colleagues are looking at you and talking within themselves. Later in the day, you get to know that your work partner has spread a rumour that you had been partying for two days and that you and your face look all drunk. Such rumours and gossip can take several forms and you need to be very cautious of snakes who gossip around.
The smiling hypocrite:
They are the worst kinds of office snakes. They will first befriend you, convince you to share details about the work you are doing and your personal life and then use them against you to look good in front of the bosses and colleagues. Such people often convince others to get their work done.
The rude and bossy snake:
There can be co-workers who are in the same position as you and do the same work as you but they like to think of themselves as they are the boss. They can be very toxic, rude and jealous with low temperaments. They might just suddenly sneak out of the boss’ cabin and start shouting at their co-workers for a trivial thing. They like to insult others, they would assign you work that they have been asked to do just to feel superior about themselves.
How Do You Ignore The Office Snakes?
The best possible way to deal with such people is to ignore them. Now that you know how to identify them, let us see how to ignore them efficiently so that they never try to make a scapegoat out of you. You may follow these steps:
Once you have identified the office snakes, never try to befriend them. If you are already friends with them, keep in mind that such people can never be friends with anyone and distance yourself from them.
To be on the safer side, remember that they are your colleagues, you are there primarily for work and not to make friends. Do not try to form emotional bonds with them as they can use that bond against you. In a competitive environment, anyone and everyone can turn against you to make themselves look better to get a hike or promotion.
You can ignore their accomplishments and you can ignore what they are telling you to do if they do not have the authority for it.
Maintain a very strict and professional attitude with the office snakes. Keep things strictly work-related, and converse only through official channels of communication like emails, office chat, etc.
Here are some quick tips and a summary for you:
- Do not take it personally. Their behaviour is the reflection of their personality, not yours.
- Be kind and positive. Trust yourself and be confident.
- Stay away from such people
- Do not try to change them
- Maintain a professional attitude with them
- Do not share your personal information. It can be distorted in more ways than you realise to be used against you.
Why Do Snake Coworkers Behave This Way?
Such snoopy snake coworkers might have narcissistic personality disorder. Others may be just toxic people or sociopaths. They might never grow up or be a mature person throughout their lives. They stay a bully their whole life. They lack empathy and are controlling in nature. Their insecurity makes them enjoy manipulating people and situations. They want to be or at least want to believe that they are the best around. If anyone seems like a threat to their power or control, they will target that person. Beware and do not fall into their traps.
What To Do When A Snake Coworker Talks Down To You?
Always have a plan to deal with them. Do not react in a hurry.
Walk away and try not to engage in any kind of bad-mouthing or communication with them.
Maybe just put in your earbuds and do your tasks when they try to engage with you.
If necessary, answer them in one-liners in a professional tone and get back to your work.
Never socialise with them over lunch or coffee even after they apologise.
Do not talk about their behaviour to other people except when asked by your seniors. Talk about it only in a documented manner.
How Would You Deal With Them If Ignoring The Snake Coworkers Does Not Work?
The fact that merely ignoring is not working for them indicates that this is an organisational failure. Here are some options to deal with them.
Try to rise above them. It would be really tough as they would do anything to rise above anyone and everyone around them.
Talk with the people you trust in the organisation and take their help to deal with the snake coworker. Share the situation with your family and friends and ask them to guide you. They might offer you a better solution as they might have faced a similar situation.
Talk to HR if the situation gets worse. Ask them to change your team or find another job if you work in a toxic environment where such behaviour is appreciated.
