How to Deal with Controlling People at Work
Call them control freaks, or if they continue their annoying ways, you’ll use more colorful descriptions. When it happens to you, the saying that there’s one in every workplace is a sad truth. When it gets too personal, you should consider the options for dealing with the harassment. Here are some suggestions:Examine the reasons the control freak is picking on youWhen it happens, before you do anything else, try to figure out why you’re being singled out for the annoying treatment. If you’re doing your job to the best of your ability, the control routine probably isn’t warranted.However, make sure you’re not meeting deadlines, turning in sloppy work or dealing with other failings. In that situation, consider that the control freak, especially if it involves management of your work, may have a valid reason to pick on you.Work it out when you realize improvement is necessaryIf you recognize that you're totally at fault, take inventory of your work, your attitude and other potentially negative factors. Then, do your best to bring them up to the expected standards. In that case, the control freak should voluntarily back off, and may even be willing to offer you praise and encouragement.Ignore the bothersome intrusionIf you’re sure there’s no reason for this person to pick on you, one way to stop it is to just continue doing your work and pay no attention to the control freak’s attempts to bother you in the workplace. If you’re strongly resolute and indicate clearly you don’t want to, nor deserve to be harassed, the control actions should gradually stop. Often, these types of workplace nuisances will wander off to look for someone else who’s more vulnerable.Try a friendly hint ... at firstOften, a workplace busybody, who also happens to be a friend, will feel it a duty to monitor your work and give unwarranted advice. It could be a twisted sense of responsibility, with misguided intentions to help you do your job. When that begins to become oppressive, take the person aside and clearly state that the effort is misdirected.The first time you need to do it, try it with a positive, friendly manner, so no feelings are hurt by your rejection. However, if it persists, don’t allow friendship to keep you from standing up for your rights. In clear language, express that you want the annoying pressure to stop. It may cost you a friend, but it will make your working hours more bearable.Talk to others who may be similarly harassedYou may not be alone as the target for the control freak’s interference. Consult with your co-workers, and if they’re in agreement, it may be time for a confrontation. If you feel it can be stopped by a one-on-one talk with the offender, set up a meeting. Explain that you’re not the only one bothered by the situation, and others also feel it should be resolved.Discuss the situation with managementIf, along with your fellow workers, none of your efforts to stop the harassment are successful, take the problem to management to be addressed. Of course, if the control freak is your manager and the situation becomes intolerable, it may be time to go over your manager’s head.Before you take that step to complain to higher authority, be sure you have no other recourse. In the absolutely worst scenario, you may have to seek legal counsel.
