Tips to avoid falling victim to office rudeness

Researchers,who polled 800 managers and employees in 17 industries,found that being the victim of office rudeness led to decreased effort,quality of work,and time spent on the job.

More shockingly 12 per cent of people said that they left their jobs because of it,the study reported.

But people don8217;t tend to report it,mainly out of a sense of hopelessness or fear of potential repercussions,said study co-author Christine Porath,associate professor at Georgetown University8217;s McDonough School of Business.

Not only your work,these stressful situations can affect your mental and physical health,too. Therefore experts have suggested some tips to help you in such situations.

Whenever your colleague talk to you in a rudely manner,respond in a way that ends the conversation and shows her that you8217;re totally unfazed. But keep your response polite and abrupt,suggested Marie McIntyre,author of Secrets to Winning at Office Politics.

8220;They want a reaction,but you don8217;t want to give it to them,8221; said McIntyre

If your colleague suddenly acts like you don8217;t exist,then ask twice if they8217;re upset with you,then move on.

8220;It8217;s a passive-aggressive response. They want to let you know they8217;re mad,but they8217;re not comfortable talking about it,8221; McIntyre said.

As a solution to this she suggested: Give them two chances to tell you what8217;s up,then pretend to believe that they8217;re 8220;fine.8221; You can even say without a hint of sarcasm.

Like a child throwing a tantrum,they8217;ll eventually quit when they don8217;t get what they want,she said.

When a coworker is badmouthing you behind your back.

To fix this,McIntyre said,confront her,but don8217;t start an interrogation.

It8217;s tempting to immediately storm into someone8217;s office demanding an apology,but you run the risk of causing even more drama. So,wait until you catch them alone and tell them what you heard,without being accusatory,she suggested.

8220;Don8217;t make assumptions,state the facts,and use 8216;I8217; statements,like 8216;I heard you may have said that8230;,'8221; McIntyre advises.

Even if they deny it,you8217;re letting them know that the gossip is getting back to you and that you8217;re not having it.

In another situation your coworker may think office life is The Hunger Games,and she8217;ll do anything to get an edge.

In that case create some distance between the two of you,McIntyre suggests.

If someone has set her sights on your job,you don8217;t want to give her an advantage. That might mean not telling her about a new project you8217;re working on,or not swapping stories at happy hour.

8220;If someone has an agenda,you can still be a pleasant colleague while not letting them gain an advantage over you,8221; McIntyre said.

If your boss is upto making your life miserable,don8217;t think of quitting the job. Instead focus on your work,but pull back in other areas,Porath recommends.

8220;Hold off on attending optional social functions and limit your work to normal office hours,8221; she said.

And most importantly,don8217;t let the rudeness follow you home. Leave your laptop at the office,and don8217;t be plugged in 24/7,she added.

This will help reduce stress from a toxic boss and at the same time show them that you8217;re there for one reason: to work.

If that doesn8217;t impress them,at least you8217;ve bulked up your resume,the expert stated.