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How do I deal with coworkers who don't like me?

14 Answers
Last Updated: 11/17/2020 at 11:48am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Licensed Professional Counselor

A sex positive, and kink knowledgeable therapist with an open mindset and a clear understanding that we are all different.

Top Rated Answers
Brook
November 10th, 2015 8:27am
This can be rather challenging as you always want to be liked by others especially your co workers as you want the work place to be a friendly one. A great way which I have found helps is by just being nice and I guess being the better person. I also tend to avoid any interaction with them unless it is fully necessary that seems to help a great deal.
Clouder
August 30th, 2015 5:45am
If your coworkers are behaving in ways that make it obvious that they don't like you, they're being unprofessional. Depending on their behaviour, it might be worth raising the issue with HR or management. Perhaps they can run some professional development for everyone on creating a safe, respectful work environment. If you suspect your coworkers are frustrated with you over something that's happened, consider having an open discussion with them about it. For example, "I feel as if you've been annoyed with me lately. Is there something I've done?" (Really, they should be the ones initiating this discussion and helping to resolve it, but if they don't, you might have to step up.) Avoid the people who make you feel down and focus on building relationships with others, especially people outside of work. At the end of the day, while you can focus on being a likable person, you can't control whether others like you. In that regard, they're the ones with the problem, not you.
Itsacrazylifewelive
September 29th, 2015 6:42pm
I'd say ignore them, they may try to make your day a living hell but you can just put your attention and energy into your work instead of thinking about them.
Anonymous
December 28th, 2015 8:13am
I think being extra nice to people who don't like you can go a along way in trying to impress your coworkers
soundsofhimalayas
March 3rd, 2015 12:30pm
limit your iterations with them, smile wen you see them to avoid conflicts. accept that they don't like you and concentrate more on your work.
Greatlistener87
- Expert in Work Stress
August 22nd, 2016 5:21am
You can never make everyone happy. So you will just have to do your best and if your best is not good enough to some people then maybe they are not worth your time after all.
Anonymous
March 8th, 2015 8:30am
Try distraction techniques to help you stop thinking about your emotions so much so that they are not piling on top of you so much.
Keola
August 25th, 2015 11:22pm
When a co-worker doesn't like you, you can first take her aside so there won't be any onlookers or audience and ask him or her why they don't like you. If he or she doesn't give you a reason, just continue to be professional and acknowledge them whenever you have to interact with them and don't let their dislike bother you because you are there to work and there are other people there to be your friends.
Anonymous
September 1st, 2015 5:11pm
Beat them with kindness. You'll always find people in life who don't like you and people who do. But still be nice to them. If they aren't harming you in anyway, then just continue about your day.
HelenTheWiseOne
October 3rd, 2015 6:16pm
Unfortunately not everybody in life will like you and it can hurt. I would encourage being open with them and maybe asking them if there is a problem. Ultimately just remain professional and get your job done. Unless it is really affecting your work life in which I would contact your manager. Remember that we are our own worst critics and you may be reading into something that isn't there.
Kitty8
October 2nd, 2015 2:52pm
Kill them with kindness. I know it's hard. They try to make your work and your life miserable, but try to be the bigger person and hold your head high. Smile. Mind your manners. And be overly nice. Maybe your kindness will rub off on them.
Anonymous
August 31st, 2015 11:52pm
Be the extra friendly person so that they can see how you are inside. This will allow for them to see the real you and start liking you.
Kellyishere
November 17th, 2020 11:48am
It is really hard to work in a space where you know people don't like you OR you think they don't like you. Co-workers that don't get along is common, we can't expect everyone we work with will like us. Whether other's like us or not, it is out of our control, as they could be reasons that you can't change. For example, I had a co-worker who told others that they find me too 'friendly with co-workers of opposite sex'. Her thought of me is out of my control. I know I am a friendly person and I tend to get along with most people regardless of what sex they are - But this co-worker just focused on the relationship I have established with the opposite sex, and that bugged her about me. I just continued being me, I didn't change, nor treated the opposite sex differently just because of her comment because I knew I didn't do anything wrong or harmful to others. So if your co-workers don't like you, that is their problem. if you wish to uncover, you can start the conversation and clear the air. You can only control how you feel not others. If they don't want to talk nor change, that is their problem
Ashley1094
September 8th, 2020 9:41pm
I think it's best to not give them power over you, such as your feelings and the way you react. It can be hard when you are being forced to be in an environment with someone. One thing would be to just try talking to them and getting to know them a little better, and letting them get to know you as it could simply be the fact that you don't know each other well. If it's just someone who is being nasty, I would say go to work, do your job to the best of your abilities, and try to not pay any mind to the coworker.