Work is hard enough without having to pick up the slack for your coworkers. Regardless of your position on the corporate ladder, dealing with lazy or unmotivated coworkers is not an uncommon problem. So rather than allowing their lack of effort to derail your day, follow these steps to address the issue before it gets out of hand.
Be Clear in Your Intentions
First and foremost, you want to ensure that you aren’t part of the issue. Sometimes, when presenting a task to a coworker or asking for help, we aren’t communicating as clearly as we might think.
The next time you need to collaborate with a coworker or assign them a project, make sure you are clear about any deadlines or other important elements that could determine their success in assisting you. Make it clear that you are available and willing to answer any questions they have.
Don’t Resort to Gossip
It’s all too easy to vent about a lazy or unhelpful coworker around the water cooler (or, these days, a private Zoom meeting), but resorting to gossip will only aggravate your feelings about the issue and make your integrity look bad.
More often than not, venting will make you even more frustrated than before, without the coworker having done anything to deserve your extra ire. If there’s an issue, attack it head-on, not behind your coworker’s back.
Address the Problem Immediately
Sometimes, a coworker’s work ethic can have negative implications for your own deliverables, especially on team projects. If the issue has a direct impact on you, address it with the coworker in question.
This should be a quick, informal conversation without accusations, negativity, or hostility (if your feelings have escalated so that this feels beyond your capability, broach the subject with an HR representative at your company, detailed below). Voice your concern in a tactful manner and ask if there’s something that’s preventing them from making deadlines. You’re probably not aware of everything on their plate.
Discuss with HR
Your HR representative is a confidential resource, so if you’re looking to get something done anonymously or you need third party intervention, this is the person you want to talk to.
In some cases, your other coworkers may have already submitted related complaints. In others, you’ll be the first. Regardless, start a conversation with your HR team to let them know what’s going on and how it’s impacting you. They’ll be able to provide you with information on the next steps. Should any similar issues arise down the road, you’ll have documentation to cover your bases.
Escalate the Issue
Unfortunately, addressing the issue directly with your coworker doesn’t always work. If this is the case, and your coworker’s disregard for work has impacted your productivity, it’s time to escalate the issue.
Whatever your corporate policy dictates, follow it to a T. In most instances, you’ll need to meet with your immediate supervisor prior to taking the next step. In some cases, these issues should be discussed anonymously during review season. In others, they should be taken up with HR. The goal here is to make your job easier, so don’t try to handle the situation on your own.
It’s natural to want your coworkers to pull their own weight. For every motivated, conscientious employee, there is another that’s, for lack of a better term, unhelpful. Use these tips to navigate your work life you’ll be free and clear to ace that next project.