If you’re working in an office environment, chances are you’ve had to deal with employees who aren’t pulling their weight. Maybe they must catch up at meetings, take too long to accomplish assignments, or be unproductive.

It’s crucial to address these concerns early on before they evolve into bigger ones. In rare situations, consider firing them. But first, it’s critical to know how to handle the issue and what steps you can take to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

This post will explore how to deal with a lazy coworker at your job. We’ll also provide you with strategies for dealing with any other form of workplace conduct that requires addressing.

1. Consider carefully before taking action

Something that also applies when dealing is a lazy coworker. If you are working with someone who makes mistakes, doesn’t take responsibility for his actions, and does not apologize, it could not be easy to work together.

But there is one thing that you can do to avoid being affected by such a person: think carefully about what you say before saying anything.

If you feel something needs to be done, think things through before jumping into action. Before reacting to any situation, ask yourself this question: “How do I want to be seen by others?” This way, you’ll ensure that your reaction will help you achieve your goals rather than harm them.

2. Approach them professionally

When someone does something wrong, there are three main ways to deal with it. The first option is to ignore it. This is only sometimes best because ignoring things doesn’t solve problems.

The second option is to confront the person about what he did. This is usually effective, but sometimes people need to respond better to being engaged.

The third option is to talk to the person about his behavior. This is generally the most effective method. However, some situations require different approaches. Here are a few examples of how to handle common workplace issues.

3. Seek counsel from others

When confronted with a colleague who appears to be slacking off, don’t take matters into your own hands. Instead, approach them directly and ask what’s happening. If issues affect both of you, talk about how you’re feeling. If one person seems fine while the other is struggling, it could mean they need help.

If your slacker coworker doesn’t seem to care, consider talking to another employee. You’ll likely find their workload is just as heavy as yours.

Most people won’t admit to overloading because they think they’re doing great. But they aren’t. So, if you notice that your colleague is having trouble keeping up, you might want to suggest some ways to improve things.

4. Put yourself in their shoes.

As you have an open and frank conversation with a lazy employee about why she seems to be slacking off, try putting yourself in her shoes.

Ask yourself questions like What might happen in her life that makes her feel unproductive? Is she having trouble balancing work and family responsibilities? Does she feel stressed out? If so, how does she cope?

These questions help you understand your colleague better and give insight into why she’s acting in ways that make you question her commitment to her job. This information lets you determine whether you can do something to help her improve her performance.

5. Talk to your superiors.

The next thing to do is approach your superior and express your displeasure with the situation. Just let them know that you’ve taken note of their recent lackluster performance and asked if there was anything you could do to assist.

You should never disparage a coworker in public without their explicit consent. Be calm and soft-spoken if you need to talk to your boss about it. Keep your voice low and respectful.

Your boss may need to learn exactly what’s going on with your coworker, but they may be able to offer suggestions for you to follow up on.

For example, if your colleague has personal problems, your boss may know someone else who can help. Or, if your colleague has a lot of stress, your boss may be able to recommend a counselor who can help. Finally, your boss may be aware of any changes in your colleague’s health that may be causing problems.

6. Document the entire process

You need to be able to back up the claims you make against lazier coworkers with actual proof and evidence to avoid being accused of making false accusations.

However, this isn’t a covert espionage operation, and you’re not James Bondsniping on your coworkers. Don’t go snoopin’!

Keep track of your observations and how the actions of others have impacted your ability to contribute to the firm as a whole and your output level.

This way, you won’t just be able to prove your point; you’ll also be able to show how your coworker’s lazy behavior has hurt the team and yourself.

For instance, if you find out that your coworker is constantly late because he doesn’t want to help anyone else finish their assignments, perhaps you could suggest that you both set aside one day each week to complete all of his assignments so that he can focus on yours.

Or you could suggest that you two split up some of the workloads for the rest of the week so that you aren’t left doing most of the heavy lifting.

7. Refrain from being influenced.

If you’re a high performer and are being asked to perform a task that doesn’t require much thought, make sure you don’t fall victim to laziness.

Your performance won’t suffer because you’ve been told to “do something.” Instead, focus on doing your best. Your hard work will speak volumes, even if your supervisor seems uninterested in your efforts.

You might feel like you’re wasting your time trying to convince someone else to change their ways, but there’s value in ensuring everyone knows you’re willing to put forth an extra effort. You never know when someone might help you out later.

8. Stay positive and healthy.

Laziness can be fought by adopting good habits and encouraging others to do the same. If you work for a startup, chances are there’s no office gym, let alone a lunch break. Make it happen. Encourage your coworkers to take breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just 20 minutes.

You could ask your boss for permission to bring in some snacks, water bottles, etc., to keep everyone hydrated.

Just keep in mind that you are in charge of your mental state. Stay out of fights, especially ones with people your age. Maintain your composure and act in a businesslike manner. Remember that nothing is more vital than your emotional and psychological well-being. Pick to keep it safe.

9. Concentrate on what you can do in the situation.

So you’re trying to figure out how to deal with your coworker’s behavior, but it seems like no matter what you say or do, nothing changes. You might feel frustrated, angry, depressed, or even hopeless. But don’t give up just yet. There are things you can do to improve the situation.

One thing you can do is offered to try to help them. This could mean offering to pick up the slack around the office, helping them complete tasks, or simply being there when they want to talk.

Consider asking yourself why your coworker isn’t responding well to your advice. Maybe you need to give more advice, or they need to listen. Either way, you can change your approach. For instance, you could focus less on telling them what to do and more on explaining why you think they shouldn’t be doing it.

Conclusion

Remember that maintaining a level head is crucial. The inability to motivate oneself is a common sign of a deeper problem, such as emotional distress. You should always wonder if your coworker’s lack of effort is due to these factors.

It may seem hard to avoid your slack-jawed coworker for the workday, but it is feasible. Please don’t fall into their trap, and make sure you don’t become one of them.

There are several things you can do to motivate a lazy worker.

Determine first if there is anything you can do to facilitate their work. If they seem to drown in work, offer to pitch in and help. You can also discuss this with your superior and ask for advice on how to proceed.

Finally, if all else fails, you may have to accept that this person will never be a go-getter and find ways to work around them. Do you need help dealing with a lazy colleague? Our expert resume writers can give you the tools you need to thrive in any workplace.