Animosity in the workplace is not unheard of. Whether it’s personal drama or a difference in work styles, it can be extremely difficult for some to work in harmony together. If you’re in a situation where you can’t stand someone you work with, don’t despair. There are several options you can investigate that may help you bury the hatchet and get back to work. Here are our suggestions:

Start by Being Direct

Talk to them about the situation. If it’s an individual or a few people, your first course of action should always be a direct, respectful discussion. Workplace matters should be settled quickly and quietly. Sit down with the co-worker and be civil. Don’t make it personal. For the most successful discussion outcome, state the facts rather than making attacks. Additionally, don’t have someone else fight for you. Involving people that aren’t included in the conflict is the quickest way for things to get out of control. Address the issue only with the right people for your first attempt at resolution.

Attitude is Everything

Work things out in a positive and sincere way. Try your best to stay authentic in order to get to the root of the issue. Take the reverse perspective and see if there are any behaviors you could change in order to improve the situation. They say you should walk a mile in your neighbor’s shoes for a reason: it can be incredibly enlightening. Think about the other party’s motivations. If you can’t stand your office mate’s incessant knuckle-cracking, remember that it’s probably not something they are doing intentionally to set you off.

Get Your Supervisor Involved

If you haven’t been able to mediate the issue through a sit-down session, talk to your manager. Here, you want to remember to be forthcoming and fair. You may be at your wits’ end but talk about the situation honestly with your supervisor. Giving them all of the information is the best way to ensure a positive outcome. Likely, your manager will have some conflict resolution training experience and can help the team get back on track.

Last Resort: Pursue Other Opportunities

If your co-worker conflict is extremely detrimental to your productivity and you’ve tried everything, it may be time to look for a new job. We recommend you attempt all peaceful avenues first, but when the time comes, you may need to remove yourself from the situation. Don’t “stick it out” if you’re stuck in a situation where you’re concerned about your mental or physical health. If it’s simply not working, don’t be afraid to jump-start your job search.

Work With a Top Staffing Agency in Chicago

If you need to find a new opportunity that suits your skills, contact the professionals at Davis Staffing. We employ Chicago’s best candidates in a variety of roles, and can help place you in the perfect position as soon as today! As a top staffing agency, we can give you the tools to impress a recruiter, and we can help you find the listings you need access to. Visit our website to learn more.