How do I deal with a toxic coworker?
There's a woman at my office who constantly undermines me in meetings, takes credit for my work, and talks about me behind my back. I've tried being nice but she just keeps getting worse. My boss doesn't seem to notice. I'm thinking about quitting but I can't afford to right now.
1 Answer(s)
This is so draining and I'm sorry you're dealing with it. Since you can't quit yet, here's a survival strategy. First, document everything — dates, times, what she said/did, who witnessed it. Keep it in a private document, not on your work computer. This protects you if it escalates to HR. Second, stop giving her ammunition. In meetings, present your ideas directly with data: "I researched this and found..." instead of waiting for her to steal them. Third, build alliances with other coworkers — toxic people thrive when you're isolated. Fourth, when she undermines you in a meeting, calmly and publicly correct it: "Actually, I was the one who handled that — here's what I did." Don't be aggressive, just factual. Finally, start quietly looking for a new job. Having an exit plan changes your mindset from "trapped" to "temporary." You don't owe her your peace of mind. Protect your energy and get out when you can.