How do you deal with difficult people at work? - Mental Health Message Board

greeneyes100 · 02-21-2005, 01:26 PM

Yes, I would like to get some opinions on how you deal with rude people at work without letting it get to you. I work for a law firm and the attorneys can be very difficult at times. I feel so stressed out when I get home, and often I feel like a doormat!

Can any of you give me some suggestions for not letting these bosses get to me???

Thanks and have a great day!

kerry1 · 02-21-2005, 02:13 PM

I've dealt with mean bosses successfully. Of course, I was prepared to be fired before I talked to them. I mostly told them "If you don't like something I did, you tell me straight, and say it respectfully!" It worked.

Note: Don't chew them out in front of everybody else. Talk to them alone, in their office or wherever you can have privacy. Don't call them names. Be polite but let them know you cannot be treated that way. If more than one lawyer is being a jerk, confront each person individually. Look him/her straight in the eye. If that doesn't work for you, or makes things worse, I'd look for another job.

greeneyes100 · 02-22-2005, 09:12 AM

I already had that talk with the most difficult one and he was nicer for awhile and then went back to being the same way (anytime he is under stress).

You are right, but jobs that pay this much are hard to come by and I need the money to pay my bills. I've been in this field my entire life, and will retire in another 10 years, so it's too late to do something else...reality kicks in!

I did confront him and he told me to do so anytime I needed, so that helped. He knows he gets like that!