12 Effective Strategies for Dealing With Negative Coworkers

Unless you work from home, negativity in the workplace happens to everyone, and it can be challenging to navigate. Negative emotions are contagious and can impact productivity and team morale.

No one wants to work in an environment of negativity, gossip, and constant complaints, so doing something about the situation is important before it drives you to the breaking point. 

There are plenty of ways to influence workplace culture positively, and you might even find that your actions change things for the better.

Here are 12 strategies you can use to deal with negative coworkers.

It's critical to establish boundaries with your negative coworkers. To set limits, change the subject of conversations that veer into negativity or gossip to work-related topics.

Explain that while you empathize with them, devolving into constant negative talk is not productive. If you're not firm about enforcing these boundaries, you're allowing this behavior to continue to grow in your workplace, which is not ideal.

It's easy to get provoked into an emotional reaction by someone, so keeping things in check is essential. Instead of getting roped into an emotional confrontation, practice patience and calmness.

Keeping your breathing steady and relaxed will help you respond positively and de-escalate the situation.

Try to minimize the amount of time you spend around negative coworkers. The less time you spend with them, the less likely you will pick up their bad habits or get dragged into office gossip. If you must interact with them, try doing so in a group setting.

Many people do not have a good outlet for their frustrations or negative emotions, so they try to take it out on others and do their best to avoid those situations at work.

Listen to the issues your coworker is discussing and then offer a positive solution instead of dwelling on the problem and complaining.

Practice empathy toward them, but steer the conversation in a different direction, one where you can focus on actionable solutions to the problem or issue.

Keeping a positive mental attitude is one of the best ways to squash any negativity around the workplace. Share positive stories or look for ways to uplift your negative coworkers.

Always try to counter that negativity with positivity, and you'll be surprised at the difference it makes over time.

Set the tone for workplace interactions by being positive, professional, adaptable, and resilient in the face of negativity. If you demonstrate these qualities, your coworkers will take notice, and your attitude will rub off on them.

This leadership, by example, can gradually transform the work culture in your office and make it less likely to revert to a negative environment.

If a coworker's negativity is unavoidable, develop strategies to protect your mental health and well-being. Deep breathing, mindfulness techniques, or short walks can help you reset after a draining interaction.

Maintaining a strong support system outside work — such as friends, family, or hobbies — can help you decompress and cope.

If the negative comments and interactions are toxic, escalate the issue to your human resources department. Your manager and HR must address persistent hostility, bullying, or creating a hostile work environment. 

You should not have to deal with repeated abuse from a coworker.

Try to look for commonalities between yourself and your negative coworkers, such as shared goals and areas of agreement. Finding even a sliver of common ground can go a long way toward building a positive relationship instead of a negative one. 

People are more likely to respond positively to someone they have something in common with.

Workplace negativity stems from on-the-job frustrations, so encourage coworkers to look for solutions rather than complain. 

Figuring out a pathway to resolving the frustration will give them a sense of ownership and control, which will help foster a more positive work environment.

One of the best things to do is spend time with colleagues who share a similar disposition. Spend time in the office with positive and supportive people. That will go a long way towards mitigating any fallout or bad vibes from negative coworkers.

It's easy to get wrapped up in someone else's negativity, so focus on your work instead.

You can't control how another person feels about you or the company, but you can control how you do your assigned tasks. Doing so demonstrates to your employer that you won't be dragged into office negativity and gossip.

Dealing with negative coworkers is just part of modern work, but it doesn't have to make your day miserable. Focus on having a positive and inclusive attitude in every interaction you have on the job and mitigating negativity.

Instead of dwelling on the situation, try starting a new hobby or a side hustle to earn extra income outside of work. That way, your energy can be channeled into something more positive.