{"id":73964,"date":"2024-08-16T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.allearsenglish.com\/?p=73964"},"modified":"2024-08-15T01:15:31","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T01:15:31","slug":"when-a-coworker-is-rude-to-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allearsenglish.com\/when-a-coworker-is-rude-to-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Business English 295: What Should You Do When a Coworker Is Rude to You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you encountered a rude coworker?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be difficult to know how to handle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today you’ll learn vocabulary to deal with this difficult situation at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rudeness in the workplace<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aubrey asks Lindsay if she ever had a coworker that has been really rude to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lindsay answered she hasn\u2019t experienced that recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She did have an experience in Tokyo where she clashed a bit with other native speaking teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aubrey shares that she definitely has encountered a rude coworker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a specific teacher when she worked in the Bronx.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This teacher lacked some social skills and often came off as rude to people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today\u2019s episode has been inspired by a listener\u2019s question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Today’s question<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n

Hi, All Ears Business English podcast team. My name is Lucy and thank you so much for your wonderful podcast. I have a complicated situation at work, which I wonder if you could help me with. I have a coworker. I am his supervisor. He says rude things about others or me very casually. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He would say things such as, \u201cI don’t think Adam is that good\u201d, or \u201cI should have applied for your position\u201d, or \u201cThis project is really time consuming and it’s not even our job\u201d because he says these things very casually. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s hard to stop him at that moment, but I think I should say something. I don’t want to say it too directly, such as what you say can come across as rude since he can take it personally. Do you have any tips or phrases I can use.<\/em><\/p>\nAll the best,
Lucy<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stay professional<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lucy is in a very difficult situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When something like this at work comes up, you want to retain professionalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You usually should not call out a coworker the moment something rude is said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, sit down with them after the conversation so they know you find what they said offensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lindsay and Aubrey share 3 tips to know how to handle this when it happens to you at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether or not you are confrontational, these tips can help you respond to difficult coworkers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

#1: Turn it around<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can turn the situation around by saying something positive when your coworker is saying mean things about a person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a good opportunity to stop this kind of behavior with positivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mini roleplay:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Aubrey:<\/strong> I don’t think Adam is that good at his job.
Lindsay: <\/strong>Really? I was impressed by his work on the last project.
Aubrey: <\/strong>Oh, good to know. I didn’t work with him on that. Maybe I should cut him some slack.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

#2: Politely disagree<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just like Lucy\u2019s example, it’s wise to politely disagree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If someone is criticizing or judging work ethics, you can use a concession<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is agreeing to a certain part of what they’re saying to soften your disagreement afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mini roleplay: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Lindsay:<\/strong> This project is really time-consuming and it’s not even our job.
Aubrey:<\/strong> It is taking a lot of time, but I’m excited to be working on it. I’ve always enjoyed a challenge.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

#3: Set them straight<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If the other tips aren\u2019t working, you can be direct and mention that you find what they\u2019re doing or saying unacceptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may have a misunderstanding of some kind and it\u2019s important you help them know the truth of the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can be very direct and clear but there is also a lighthearted phrase you can use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n