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Can You Recognize a Toxic Coworker?

By Psyche Pascual
CONSUMER HEALTH INTERACTIVE

Most people who punch a time clock have at least one horror story about a coworker or supervisor. There's the boss who demands a report be filed weeks before deadline and then sits on it, or the coworker who doesn’t feel guilty about going on vacation before completing his share of a joint project. In fact, according to one study, eight out of 10 workers in America have someone at work who routinely makes life stressful for them. Many interactions are normal, of course -- it's rare that a difficult coworker will actually have a personality disorder. And many types of mental disorders, such as depression, are eminently treatable and shouldn't cause problems at work. But if you have a coworker who can't empathize with others, abuses power and ignores boundaries, creates constant turmoil, is rigid and inflexible, and appears to have a hidden agenda, you may be dealing with someone who has a personality disorder. Can you spot the warning signs?


1. A coworker with narcissistic personality disorder is often capable of:

a. Taking credit for your work
b. Engaging in on-the-job sexual harassment
c. Flouting company rules
d. Putting down your feedback
e. All of the above

2. Which of the following is NOT true of people with borderline personality disorder?

a. They may ask you to lie to bail them out of trouble.
b. They're constantly in conflict with coworkers.
c. They withdraw from contact with coworkers.
d. They routinely seem to be seething with anger.
e. They frequently explode in rage.

3. The best way to deal with a boss who has obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is to work overtime in order to show you're a team player. True or false?

True
False

4. A coworker who prefers to work alone and avoids all social contact may be:

a. A person with schizoid personality disorder
b. An individual with avoidant personality disorder
c. A passive-aggressive individual
d. A narcissist
e. A or B

5. If you always think your boss and coworkers are out to get you, what is the most likely situation?

a. They probably are.
b. You may be suffering from paranoid personality disorder.
c. You need to work out at the gym more often.
d. You are suffering from job burnout and need a vacation.

6. Which of the following traits could be characteristic of a coworker with antisocial personality disorder?

a. Preying on weak or passive coworkers
b. Squandering company funds on personal expenses
c. Showing no empathy or remorse
d. Being manipulative, exploitative, reckless, deceitful, insincere, self-promoting, and superficially charming
e. All of the above



First published Sep 26, 2002


Last updated Aug 29, 2007


Copyright © 2002 Consumer Health Interactive, a CVS Caremark company

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