What you can do about jealous colleagues
Jealousy in the workplace can be very difficult to deal with, especially if it is you towards whom the jealousy is directed. There are a number of ways that you can cope with it, depending on the circumstances in which you find yourself and your own personality. Simply put, there is no need for you to struggle at work because of someone else's problem - you just need to find the right way to deal with it.
Before you take the matter any further, you need to be sure that the problem really does stem from jealousy and that you haven't mistaken it for another problem. Talk to your other colleagues to find out if there has been a previous issue with the jealous colleague, or if it is something that is directed at you only. You may see things one way, but others, who are less personally involved, may have a different view. Always try and get your facts straight before you act.
If it is jealousy, take a good look within yourself. The chances are that the jealousy is little to do with you and all to do with your colleague; nevertheless, it is worth considering your own behaviour and whether or not there is anything you can do to change it. You may, for instance, have been unintentionally flirting with someone or perhaps attempting to make yourself look good at the expense of others. If there is something you can do to change, then try it - it may just nip the problem in the bud.
If you're still convinced that it is your colleague that has the problem, it might be best to approach them directly in private. The key, however, is not to attack them, but to attempt to smooth things over. Once you have understand your colleague's point of view, it may help you to be less offended and therefore cope with the jealousy more easily. On the other hand, you may be able to explain your point of view and set things in the proper context. Once your colleague understands you are not really a threat, the situation could be resolved.
Not all people like a confrontation, or it may be that the jealous colleague is senior to you and you don't want to rock the boat. In this case, it may be advisable to simply keep your distance and get on with your own job and life. In time, the jealousy will probably fade and you will all be able to forget that it ever happened. This is ideal for situations where the jealousy isn't too apparent to anyone else but you and the person involved.
Sometimes, the situation may become so awkward that it is impossible to avoid the situation, yet you cannot deal with it yourself for fear of making matters worse. In this case, you should report the situation to someone else, especially if it is beginning to affect your ability to do your job. Ask for a private meeting with a senior member of staff you trust and explain the situation. Then let them deal with the situation in the way that they see best.
If a situation in the workplace is making it hard for you to do your job, then you should always consider doing something about it - you spend so much of your working life at work that you should make an effort to be as happy as you can while you are there.
