how to deal with a lazy colleague. (2023)

As you read this article, you are probably already thinking of a colleague of yours who makes the lazy lazy.

It can be hard to tell if someone is resting or really busy with work. But whether they're just plain incompetent or just master the art of procrastination, there are telltale signs of a lazy colleague. It can be the extra breaks they take throughout the day or the vacations before completing their chores. They can also sometimes delegate so much of their own work that it's confusing as to what they're actually doing in a workday. They can appear stressed and tired for reasons only they know.

However, they will find that their work is often sloppy, not up to standards, or that they constantly miss deadlines.

In every company there is at least one lazy worker who is not the easiest to deal with. But here are seven tips on how to deal with lazy workers that can help relieve your stress.

7 ways to deal with a lazy co-worker

Dealing with lazy co-workers can be difficult, and often there is no easy way to solve these problems. When the behavior persists, it becomes a real problem as it can affect the team's efficiency and overall performance. Also, facing them alone and head-on can do more harm than good, but there are some steps you can take to distract yourself from the problem and keep your sanity in check.

1. Don't get distracted by your goals

Don't waste your time thinking about that lazy co-worker who's always on Facebook or texting and napping when he isWork from home.

They won't care how you feel, so why should you? Nobody likes a lazy person and you're probably not the only one who feels this way. Spending your time and energy worrying about those lazy co-workers is only distracting you from the important things in life. Instead, you should spend more time focusing on your own work priorities.

It is more important to take advantage of the valuable opportunities that present themselves and to take care of your sanity.

2. Keep your sanity in check

One of the best things to do when you're feeling irritable or stressed is to take a deep breath — count to 10 and exhale. You should be able to calm down after a stressful incident by doing the breathing exercise a few times. Breathing exercises can also help prevent you from reacting negatively to a situation that you might later regret.

You can also try to spend more of your personal time in activities that you enjoy. For example, you can find a hobby like cooking or exercising. These are activities that you can incorporate into your daily routine to express yourself positively in new ways. You can also choose a new Spotify playlist of upbeat songs to lift your spirits when you're feeling a little irritable.

3. Think before you act

We must always be smart when dealing with lazy colleagues. Before you act on a situation, you need to ask yourself: How would you like to be perceived by others on your team and the company in general? Keep in mind that behavior such as gossiping or attacking is often considered unprofessional. At worst, your boss feels that you are too emotional and don't have what it takes to become a credible leader based on how you react in difficult situations.

Remember that you are a valued member of your team. The management team may already know who is working and who is relaxing and is probably just waiting for the right moment to correct bad behavior.

4. stay positive

Your workload and performance can suffer if you focus too much on other people. This "what if" and "how did this happen?" it can dampen your mood and damage your relationships with your peers. But be careful, because hanging out with a grumpy colleague is just as bad as working with a lazy one.

You are guaranteed to do better quality work simply by staying positive. Instead, redirect your energy to your own work and job performance. Focus on work so you can get the promotion you've been waiting for!

5. Push back if you can

Don't fall into the trap of making your job your responsibility. Lazy colleagues often delegate their responsibilities to others on the team, and may even design them to help you develop your skills on the job.

You know they passed the work on to you on purpose because you've seen Instagram stories of them having fun after work while you work overtime to get chores done. These lazy co-workers may even demand credit for your work, which can be very frustrating.

To avoid getting into this situation, you must learn to back off when you can. If they start to get defensive, ask them to explain how working on the task can enhance their career growth; or what were the events that caused them to miss important deadlines. Most importantly, make sure all your communication with them is via email or SMS in case you need to get in touch with them in the future. Learning how to use digital solutions and leave a digital footprint is very important as they serve as evidence that can do you a favor in the future.

We live in a world where project management tools like Trello boards or JIRA are part of our everyday work. Tag your lazy colleague in tasks so they can be held accountable for projects and results.

Another benefit of using these new digital solutions is that they automatically track project progress and edit history, making it easy to see who has been working on tasks and who hasn't. While these features are primarily used to track past work changes, you can use them as evidence to show that your co-workers are not doing well.

6. Approach them professionally

If you feel you need to say something, don't contact your management team right away. It's all a matter of timing and preparation. Speaking too soon can make it sound like you're gossiping or complaining about a colleague, which can create a negative impression.

Instead, practice proper business decency and have an open discussion with your colleague. These discussions can also help clear up misunderstandings as they might not be really lazy. They may struggle to keep up with their current workload, responsibilities, and deadlines, or have personal issues that distract them from work.

You may be wondering what to say to a lazy colleague?

Approach them in a supportive manner where you can openly discuss issues and come together to fine-tune your goals, deadlines, and commitments. Rather than judging their job performance or, worse, their character, explain clearly how their role, if left aside, directly affects you and the team. Let them know where you think they can improve and how they would like to support the team's efforts.

It would also be helpful if you wrote down your points before speaking to them so you don't miss anything.

You should also not approach them when you are angry (see point 2). Try to communicate your views clearly and objectively. If you start the argument short-tempered, you're more likely to lose your temper and this will only make the problem worse.

While uncommon, sometimes addressing these issues honestly but respectfully can be enough to resolve the situation.

7. Contact your manager or Human Resources

When all else fails and you really can't deal with your lazy colleague, it's probably time to turn to people you trust for advice on how to solve the problem, such as: B. Your manager or the HR team.

But before you reach out to your manager or HR, come up with a plan and think about the ideal end goal. What do you hope to achieve when you achieve them? Would you like the HR team to talk to your colleague and do you expect a positive change in your work attitude? Or do you need advice on how best to approach your lazy colleague to relieve unnecessary stress?

You should also note that there is a fine line between gossiping and complaining about your co-workers and genuinely committing to a fair resolution. Then the evidence gathered may come in handy. Help your manager understand the situation from the start and provide full details of everything you tried to resolve the conflict.

When speaking to HR and your manager, remain neutral and always wait for them to finish their sentences before responding. Make sure your body language reflects your sincerity when giving professional advice.

However, keep an open mind and remember to remain professional throughout the process.

when you are fed up with your lazy colleague

If the negative work environment is taking its toll and affecting your mental health, it's time to look for new employers who can offer a healthier, more positive work environment.

There may be times when the problem is much bigger than you think, e.g. B. at work in atoxic environmentwhere the company normalizes bad and unprofessional behavior. Or it could be your boss playing favoritism, meaning you're always on the losing side. If that's the case, it might be time to think about looking for new employers that can provide a healthier and more positive work environment.

Contact Randstadand our team of expert advisors who can support you in your career planning and job search! Alternatively, you can escape your toxic and lazy peers by browsing ourJob offersand apply for a new job.

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