How do You Deal with a Backstabbing Coworker?

Tips from Jane Chin

• If your workplace is full of backstabbing coworkers, it means that backstabbing works at this company. You are in a toxic company. Polish your interview skills, update your resume, and get the heck out of there!
• If a backstabber comes to you with gossip about a coworker, give no input and deflect her as quickly as possible; whatever you say WILL be used against you.
• If a backstabber is screwing your boss, look for a new job because you too will be screwed (but in an unpleasant way).
• Keep your personal life personal and out of the workplace; backstabbers thrive on leveraging secrets.
• Keep detailed documentation of every verbal, email, and written communication; you will need proof.
• Keep Your Emotions to Yourself: Backstabbers feed on emotional manipulation to know it’s working.
• If a backstabber pitches other coworkers against you, you can wait until everyone sees the backstabber for who he is, or look for a new job to save yourself an ulcer.

Tips from Others

• Take the knife they used, wrap it in a bow, and give it back them blade first. Contributed by Darcy, after noticing that the Google Ads served up an ad about giving coworkers a gift.
• Unless you’re the CEO, I’d express the concerns to the person above you and let them use corporate policy. Keeps you a neutral team player. Contributed by Darcy.
• Backstabbers can’t handle when they sense that for you it’s not the end of life and universe… it takes away the sweetness of being a weasely prick. Contributed by Roland Hesz, Software developer, musician, and photographer.
• Rise above it by refusing to stab back at them directly while building a strong support structure of allies who will stab on your behalf and keep you well informed at all times. Contributed by: David Bridger, Author.
• Sum up verbal conversations in email for confirmation and send before end of day, preferably right after conversation w/ backstabber. Have witnesses or do what I did in my final few weeks there: I took my voice recorder into the meetings and made it *very* visible. Contributed by Rhonda LaShae, Poet.
• If you see a high turnover rate at a workplace, then you know something is up! Don’t bother contacting them. Contributed by: Deb Robison, Social media and Public Relations Consultant.