How to Deal With Rude Behavior at Work
A rude employee brings down the morale of his colleagues, decreasing productivity and work satisfaction. If the employee shows his rude side to business partners or customers, he could hurt business. Rude behavior often falls outside the scope of basic workplace policies, making it difficult to remedy and discipline. Squashing the rude behavior is essential to creating a more productive, positive work environment that all employees deserve. Learn to deal with the negative employee effectively to get the attitude problem under control quickly.
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Show tolerance to a rude colleague. Using your manners and dealing with him in a kind manner will help him relax and calm his rudeness.
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Ask questions to determine if the person is intentionally being rude or coming across that way without realizing it. For example, if an employee gets up and walks away without acknowledging you, ask if she needs assistance with her work tasks or feels OK.
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Evaluate the effects of the rude behavior to determine if it is a problem. Take action if the other employees appear to have a negative reaction or if clients are on the receiving end of the rudeness.
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Call the rude employee into your office to discuss his behavior. Note that you noticed his tone or actions and how they were perceived as rude or unprofessional. Work with the employee to help him improve his attitude and image toward his colleagues to avoid being considered rude.
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Follow the documented disciplinary actions for bullying if the rudeness is aimed at one specific colleague in a bullying manner. Let the rude employee know without exception that the behavior is not acceptable and must stop immediately, particularly if the recipient of the rudeness feels threatened or violated.
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Avoid engaging in similar rude or unprofessional behaviors along with the employee. For example, if an employee gossips about a colleague, don't let yourself get drawn into the gossip.
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7.
Monitor your own tone and behavior in the workplace to ensure you aren't being rude without realizing it. Managers in particular can set an office environment that encourages rude behavior by demonstrating it themselves.
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Writer Bio
Based in the Midwest, Shelley Frost has been writing parenting and education articles since 2007. Her experience comes from teaching, tutoring and managing educational after school programs. Frost worked in insurance and software testing before becoming a writer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a reading endorsement.