Oh, there goes Harold again.We all know these types of coworkers. How could we not? They make themselves known. On the up side, some are jokesters, quick with a guffaw, a "good morning," and an amusing, albeit often off-color, joke. On the down side, they draw negative attention to themselves and derail discussions. Of course, some obnoxious employees are worse than others. Think a coworker is insulting or otherwise harassing you at work? Notify your manager or call HR. For situations that do not need to be referred to HR, here are some great things to do.
Quick tip: Use humor, but remember the difference between a confrontational comment and a funny one can depend on your tone. So keep it light.
Oh, there goes Harold again.
Thanks for the input Harold [said ironically and comically].
Another country heard from.
And, moving right along, …
Uh-huh, sure. And thank you, Harold. Anyone else?
Great. Thanks much, Harold.
Anyway, as we were saying, …
Let’s hear from someone else now. Jennifer, do you have anything to add?
Okay, but we still need to determine where we’re going from here.
Let’s get back to the point, which is …
What I really want to know, though, is …
Humm. Did we ever finish discussing where we’re going to …
We really need to stay on target here and take this project seriously or we’ll never complete it.
Let’s talk softer so we don’t disturb the meeting down the hall.
We need to be quiet in this area, since people are working.
A lot of customers are around—we need to keep this really professional.
The boss talked to several people about noise control last week, so let’s keep it down, okay?
We have to be really professional when we’re in this department.
Better be careful. The chief is around, and we need to make a good impression.
Don’t talk too loudly here. Sound is really amplified.
Quick tip: With loud coworkers, rely on voice control. Just lower your voice, and your coworkers will naturally lower theirs too. If that doesn’t work, use hand gestures, like lowering your palms in the air, to signal to them that they’re being too loud.
You’re such a great person and offer so much to this unit. I’d hate to see you limit your potential with comments like that.
I want to tell you something because I like you and want to see you succeed.
Do you mind if I make a personal comment that I hope will help you?
Everyone here really seems to like you, and you are a great guy, but you get in your own way when you make off-color jokes like that.
I know you’re just trying to have fun, but when you tease people like that, you sometimes hurt their feelings.
I know what you mean when you make cracks like that, but I don’t think other people do.
Quick tip: Confront your coworkers privately about their behavior and afterward remind them of the discussion as circumstances require.
I really don’t like hearing that kind of thing.
Please don’t say that kind of thing when I’m around.
Our company has a policy against the use of racially insensitive language.
When you say things like that, you make me, and everyone else I know, uncomfortable.
Remember, if you don’t confront your colleagues’ rude or insulting comments—even if they’re not targeting you—then you’re condoning them.
That’s really hilarious—but not actually true.
There he goes again. You never know what he’ll say. But let’s get back to …
That’s classic, Carolyn. But what’s really significant here is …
Ba-da-bum [sounds like the drum following a night club comedian’s joke].
Thanks, Harry. Next?
Actually, this is how it really is: …
He always says things like that. The truth is that …
We need to be as accurate as possible about this. Here’s the truth.
Now be nice, Annie.
Okay, let’s take a different direction here, people.
Quick tip: Don’t reprimand or embarrass your coworkers, because that will only embarrass others in the room too. Instead, either comment on what they’re saying with a light tone or gently refute their statements. You can discuss the seriousness of their behavior in private later on.