For many of us broke college students, we need a reliable source of income to help us survive. A job is technically defined as a paid position of regular employment. Therefore, we get paid for our time to be there, and our duties are carefully lined out in a handbook given to us during training. Obviously, we’re only working because we need the money, and we’d much rather be elsewhere if we didn’t need the cash. Unless you’re Kim Kardashian’s personal assistant, DEALING WITH DRAMA WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN THE JOB DESCRIPTION.
I have worked in the restaurant industry as a server for a few years now, and the skills I’ve learned from the job go much further than how to wait on tables. Dealing with co-worker drama is inevitable at times. However, as I’ve improved as a proficient server, I’ve also excelled at minimizing & avoiding involvement in drama that inevitably flares up. Some of the tips I’ve learned can apply to any job that you see rumors fly, people talk, or gossip interfering with your work performance.
1. Even if the new girl really does suck, it doesn’t give you the permission to point it out to your other co-workers.
In a situation where it’s so easy to talk smack, be the one who doesn’t. You were new once too. Even if she never knows you stood up for her, calling out the other gossipers will have a domino effect to stop the rude comments.
2. Don’t date or hook up with people you work with.
Unless you have some enchanting and death-defying love for this person, it’s never worth it. I hate to be the one to put out the flame, but it’s just really not a good idea. When it’s all said and done, someone might end up quitting, and both of you are out the chance at having a great friend at work. Keep it at that.
3. If someone else is slacking at their job, don’t let it impact you.
Sometimes we get upset at lazy coworkers and it’s okay to be upset. However, it’s not okay to scream it to the entire world. Talk to your manager, because that is what they are there for. Gossiping about it to your co-workers makes you a gossiper, and others will copy you. Once you clock out, feel free to let it all out to your roommate… who doesn’t work there.
4. Realize that we all have lives outside of work, and life can be especially hard at times.
You don’t know everything that’s going on in someone else’s life. If your boss seems unusually rude, maybe they got into a huge argument with their spouse right before they came in. If a girl gets sent home crying, maybe she’s just at the end of her rope. We have all had off days. Don’t judge a person solely by the days they’re not their best. At the end of the day, we’re not bosses, co-workers, or customers – we’re just human.
5. Being in the center of the drama sucks and instead of quitting, face it head on.
When it seems everyone is talking about you, what you did at the bar, why you called in, how you didn’t help out, why you were late, or who you hooked up with—stand your ground. Become so wrapped up in your job, that you have no time to hang around and talk. Smile and be nice to everyone, even those against you. Refuse to talk about it to other curious co-workers and say the issue just doesn’t belong in the workplace. Privately confront the involved people if necessary, off the clock. If all stays heated, involve a manager. Quitting is not an option—YOU win, not the drama. In two weeks it’ll all be old news.
We get paid for our time, and therefore not a second of it should be spent dealing with pettiness. Take pride in yourself that you’ve matured beyond high school, while many others have not. The gossiper will always have something to say, and in due time, she’ll have said something about everyone. Despite what she thinks, no one likes a mean girl. Avoiding drama is quite easy. Do your job, be nice to people, get paid, and get the heck out.