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How to deal with Co worker who throws temper tantrums
Posted on 4/15/14 at 5:43 pm
Posted on 4/15/14 at 5:43 pm
I have a coworker who will get very upset over random things nobody has control over. He will sometimes slam his office door when he gets in these moods and can be very short with people.
Today I had to meet a client at the office and when introducing him around this coworker was in one of his moods and although the client didn't say anything I thought he was somewhat rude and pretty unprofessional in dealing with this. I think said coworker is upset this time because he is having to stay late and get caught up on some reports, but a lot of people in our office work pretty late from time to time.
The thing is this coworker has been here the second longest of anyone at our level, and he does produce quite well (more than me and more than all but one other person). I wouldn't say anything if he hadn't acted that way in front of a client, but how can I approach this without turning it into a big deal?
Thank you to the aging rantOT population for divulging some wisdom from your many many years of experience.
Today I had to meet a client at the office and when introducing him around this coworker was in one of his moods and although the client didn't say anything I thought he was somewhat rude and pretty unprofessional in dealing with this. I think said coworker is upset this time because he is having to stay late and get caught up on some reports, but a lot of people in our office work pretty late from time to time.
The thing is this coworker has been here the second longest of anyone at our level, and he does produce quite well (more than me and more than all but one other person). I wouldn't say anything if he hadn't acted that way in front of a client, but how can I approach this without turning it into a big deal?
Thank you to the aging rantOT population for divulging some wisdom from your many many years of experience.
18
Posted on 4/15/14 at 5:49 pm to CheeseburgerEddie
The same way you handled it in sixth grade: Back behind the dumpsters after school.
This post was edited on 4/15/14 at 5:50 pm
Posted on 4/15/14 at 5:50 pm to CheeseburgerEddie
Throw glitter at him when he gets angry 
Posted on 4/15/14 at 5:53 pm to CheeseburgerEddie
quote:
...your many many years of experience.
I need a couple more "many"'s.
First step is to talk to the hothead, but you already know that won't do any good or you wouldn't have brought it here.
You might consider recording the guy and playing it back to him when he has calmed down. It's possible he doesn't realize how stupid he sounds.
If none of the above works, the next step is talking to the guy's supervisor, which I'm guessing is a painful decision to make. But you gotta do it. If he's spouting off in front of people trying to give your company money, he's bad for business.
Posted on 4/15/14 at 5:57 pm to CheeseburgerEddie
Ask him to have a beer with you after work. Talk about random stuff (ie. sports, girls, whatever) to lighten the mood. Then politely and simply approach the subject in genuine conversation rather than finger pointing accusations.
Get him to feel comfortable opening up about why he's clearly stressed. Tell him you've noticed it and offer to lighten his work load by helping him out.
He'll appreciate that and if he's somewhat intelligent...he'll get the hint.
Get him to feel comfortable opening up about why he's clearly stressed. Tell him you've noticed it and offer to lighten his work load by helping him out.
He'll appreciate that and if he's somewhat intelligent...he'll get the hint.
Posted on 4/15/14 at 6:17 pm to CheeseburgerEddie
Slap him with a fish.
Posted on 4/15/14 at 6:27 pm to CheeseburgerEddie
This is a guy who thinks he is above the professional culture of the office. There have been some good suggestions but I'll give you one from my experiences.
I asked for a person-to-person meeting with our office Napoleon with an HR person sitting in. In my office, this meeting was confidential and could not be talked about after the meeting.
I basically told Napoleon that he was probably unaware that he was being a jerk and that, while everyone respected his abilities, he had a horrible reputation with his coworkers.
He actually appreciated the input. It took a while for him to see that he had to upgrade his relationships with staff, but eventually he did.
I asked for a person-to-person meeting with our office Napoleon with an HR person sitting in. In my office, this meeting was confidential and could not be talked about after the meeting.
I basically told Napoleon that he was probably unaware that he was being a jerk and that, while everyone respected his abilities, he had a horrible reputation with his coworkers.
He actually appreciated the input. It took a while for him to see that he had to upgrade his relationships with staff, but eventually he did.
Posted on 4/15/14 at 7:03 pm to CheeseburgerEddie
Slip him a weed brownie.
Posted on 4/15/14 at 7:06 pm to CheeseburgerEddie
I don't understand why you think you're responsible for his behavior??? I'd stay out of it unless you're his supervisor.
Posted on 4/15/14 at 7:09 pm to LSU1NSEC
Give him a nice cheeseburger
Posted on 4/15/14 at 7:11 pm to LSU1NSEC
quote:
I don't understand why you think you're responsible for his behavior??? I'd stay out of it unless you're his supervisor.
When he's ranting in front of fellow employees (and nobody else), he's merely a pain in the arse. When he's ranting in front of clients, he's hurting business.
This post was edited on 4/15/14 at 7:13 pm
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Posted on 4/15/14 at 7:14 pm to LSU1NSEC
quote:
I don't understand why you think you're responsible for his behavior??? I'd stay out of it unless you're his supervisor.
Some people don't work in factories, grandpa
Posted on 4/15/14 at 7:15 pm to CheeseburgerEddie
Everywhere I have been there are at least one of these. The problem is, if you speak up the focus becomes you (not him) because everyone else is just dealing with it (e.g., "that's just Stan.").
If he is an equal, I would recommend just leaving it alone (unless you either are very confident in your position or don't really care).
If he is an equal, I would recommend just leaving it alone (unless you either are very confident in your position or don't really care).
Posted on 4/15/14 at 7:20 pm to Garfield
If it's affecting your work tell your supervisor that you are not trying to make a big deal out of it but it's affecting your work.
Then give him a nice cheeseburger
Then give him a nice cheeseburger
Posted on 4/15/14 at 7:21 pm to sorantable
quote:
I don't understand why you think you're responsible for his behavior??? I'd stay out of it unless you're his supervisor.
Some people don't work in factories, grandpa
settle down Shirley
Posted on 4/15/14 at 7:37 pm to CheeseburgerEddie
grind up a klonopin and put it in his morning coffee
Posted on 4/15/14 at 11:25 pm to roadhouse
Works for me
Posted on 4/15/14 at 11:27 pm to roadhouse
quote:Isn't that what they call breakfast.
grind up a klonopin and put it in his morning coffee
Posted on 4/15/14 at 11:32 pm to CheeseburgerEddie
Woof............they fired that guy in my office a couple months back. Guess who inherited his responsibilities but not his pay?
<--- This guy.
Tell him to calm his arse down.
<--- This guy.
Tell him to calm his arse down.
Posted on 4/15/14 at 11:37 pm to CheeseburgerEddie
Pop him upside the head next time he steps out of line.
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