Author Topic: Hypocritical co-worker  (Read 1662 times)

spunkyboy08

Hypocritical co-worker
« on: January 10, 2020, 09:06:41 pm »
How do you deal with a hypocritical co-worker who 1) wants to have their cake and eat it too,  2) is self-serving, 3) combative and 4) defensive?

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter


HenrysMom

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 471
  • Location: Northern California
    • View Profile

  • Badges: (View All)
    Third year Anniversary Second year Anniversary Level 3
Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2020, 01:12:08 am »
Quick answer is that you don’t.  The more detailed answer is to be polite and business like when you absolutely have to deal with this person and the less that person knows about you and yours, the better.
Agree Agree x 6 View List

Aleko

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2566
  • Location: South-East England
    • View Profile

  • Badges: (View All)
    2500 Posts Fifth year Anniversary Level 4
Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2020, 03:16:13 am »
Present the Smooth Glass Wall. S/he will be puzzled to find a way to attack it, or defend herself against it. (Difficult to get any cake out of it either, whether for having or eating!)

As for the hypocrisy and self-serving; that's a problem only for her, and for people who either have some emotional investment in her or allow themselves to be riled by her. Don't let yourself be one of them.

Rose Red

Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2020, 07:41:16 am »
We may need more details like how or if the coworker affects you or your work. I'm afraid your description is too vague to determine if they are just annoying or actually causing serious harm.

But basically, you should avoid them and concentrate on your own work. Act distant yet professional if you need to interact with them. Document if they are damaging or sabotaging part of your work. That includes not doing their part of the project which can delay your own work. It's a good idea to document your own work too so they can't take credit.
Agree Agree x 9 View List

pierrotlunaire0

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 698
  • I'm the cat's Ma!
  • Location: Michigan, USA
    • View Profile

  • Badges: (View All)
    Level 5 Fifth year Anniversary Fourth year Anniversary
Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2020, 05:08:43 pm »
I have to agree with Rose Red. I think I could give better advice if I had some specific examples of what this coworker does.
I have enough lithium in my medicine cabinet to power three cars across a sizeable desert.  Which makes me officially...Three Cars Crazy
Agree Agree x 5 View List

bopper

Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2020, 01:02:06 pm »
We need more details...

Also read AskAManager.org for great tips on dealing with co-workers.
e.g. https://www.askamanager.org/2015/10/my-constantly-awol-boss-holds-me-to-a-higher-standard-than-she-holds-herself-to.html

You can talk to your boss...."Boss, I am wondering if you could give me some tips on how to deal with Chris.  They said they would lead the TPS Report project, but I have asked them for a schedule and a list of goals and they brushed me off. How would you suggest I handle it?"
Like Like x 1 View List

Bada

Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2020, 04:07:29 pm »
I have to agree with Rose Red. I think I could give better advice if I had some specific examples of what this coworker does.

Also, this isn't your first thread you've started where the topic you asked for advice on was so vague no one could help...
Agree Agree x 3 View List

DaDancingPsych

Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2020, 07:27:42 am »
I have to agree with Rose Red. I think I could give better advice if I had some specific examples of what this coworker does.

I think that this group loves to help and we like aiming our thoughts to specific situations. But I also understand the need to not want to give away too much.
Like Like x 1 View List

Victoria

Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2020, 07:46:44 am »
I have to agree with Rose Red. I think I could give better advice if I had some specific examples of what this coworker does.

I think that this group loves to help and we like aiming our thoughts to specific situations. But I also understand the need to not want to give away too much.

That's true, but I do think that we need some examples, even if they're very general. Advice like this usually is either "mind your own business and engage with them as little as possible" or "tell your manager that your coworker's actions are affecting your own work in X Y Z ways," but at this point we don't know enough about it.
Agree Agree x 2 View List

Titanica

Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2020, 10:27:04 am »
How do you deal with a hypocritical co-worker who 1) wants to have their cake and eat it too,  2) is self-serving, 3) combative and 4) defensive?

I'm confused.  This coworker doesn't criticize enough?  Or do you mean "hypercritical"?

Victoria

Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2020, 10:37:56 am »
How do you deal with a hypocritical co-worker who 1) wants to have their cake and eat it too,  2) is self-serving, 3) combative and 4) defensive?

I'm confused.  This coworker doesn't criticize enough?  Or do you mean "hypercritical"?

"Hypocritical" means that a person pretends to have certain beliefs, attitudes or feelings when they really do not. The "hypo" part isn't meant to be the opposite of "hyper."

An example of a hypocrite is a person who says they care about the environment, but are constantly littering. (Definition/example taken from yourdictionary.com).

Titanica

Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2020, 10:57:54 am »
How do you deal with a hypocritical co-worker who 1) wants to have their cake and eat it too,  2) is self-serving, 3) combative and 4) defensive?

I'm confused.  This coworker doesn't criticize enough?  Or do you mean "hypercritical"?

"Hypocritical" means that a person pretends to have certain beliefs, attitudes or feelings when they really do not. The "hypo" part isn't meant to be the opposite of "hyper."

An example of a hypocrite is a person who says they care about the environment, but are constantly littering. (Definition/example taken from yourdictionary.com).

Good heavens!  Thank you.  I must have left my brain at home today. 
Like Like x 1 View List

pierrotlunaire0

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 698
  • I'm the cat's Ma!
  • Location: Michigan, USA
    • View Profile

  • Badges: (View All)
    Level 5 Fifth year Anniversary Fourth year Anniversary
Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2020, 08:19:26 pm »
I have to agree with Rose Red. I think I could give better advice if I had some specific examples of what this coworker does.

I think that this group loves to help and we like aiming our thoughts to specific situations. But I also understand the need to not want to give away too much.
Very true, but it is difficult to give advice when dealing with, say: wants to have their cake and eat it too. Now since this is really a metaphor, it is hard to give concrete advice. Are we talking about someone who criticizes others for doing the same exact this the coworker is doing? (In which case, my advice might be to ignore them - or at least try). Or is the coworker attempting to get other employees in trouble for the same actions the coworker does? (I might advise approaching a manager, or banding with other workers to approach the manager).
I have enough lithium in my medicine cabinet to power three cars across a sizeable desert.  Which makes me officially...Three Cars Crazy

Nikko-chan

Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2020, 09:23:19 pm »
Is this the same OP who had a coworker at a grocery store who was a bagger and wasn't doing things correctly/being annoying etc?
Agree Agree x 1 View List

Pandorica

Re: Hypocritical co-worker
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2020, 10:09:05 pm »
OP has also posted about another cashier and also about a supervisor/manager at the store
Like Like x 1 View List