How do you deal with a sabotaging coworker?
Christopher Ramos
Updated on March 31, 2026
- If you suspect a colleague is trying to sink your career, here’s what you’ll want to do:
- Don’t assume bad intentions. “
- Be alert.
- Confide in a co-worker.
- Take notes.
- Confront the culprit.
- Don’t sabotage the saboteur.
- Take it to your manager or HR.
How do you deal with back stabbers at work?
When dealing with back stabbers, it’s important to maintain your positive sense of self and don’t turn into a back stabber yourself. Assess the situation carefully. Don’t overreact or react too quickly before thinking through your response. Take time to write down what the person is saying and what you actually did.
What to do if someone tells lies about you at work?
3 Ways to Deal With a Lying Co-worker (That Don’t Involve Losing It)
- Understand the Situation. McLeod urges you to “stay rooted in facts versus emotion,” which can be difficult when dealing with a conflict like this.
- Have an Honest Conversation. Often a simple and informal chat will do the trick.
- Provide Proof of the Lie.
How do you tell if a coworker is trying to sabotaging you?
Someone who is trying to undermine you will likely badmouth others to you and you to others. Underminers criticize but offer no solutions because their goal is to make people look bad, not improve anything. Underminers think they look better if they make others look worse.
How can I tell if my coworker is lying?
Here are six ways to help you spot a liar at work:
- Find out the person’s baseline. Meyer says that everyone has a baseline, which is how they act regularly.
- Ask open-ended questions.
- Keep an eye out for nonverbal cues.
- Look for verbal cues.
- Take note of the person’s attitude.
- Pay attention to how a story is told.
What are the traits of a manipulative person?
10 Habits Of Manipulative People
- They play innocent. Manipulators have a way of playing around with the truth to portray themselves as the victim.
- They play dumb.
- They rationalize their behavior.
- They change the subject often.
- They tell half-truths.
- They induce guilt.
- They insult others.
- They bully others.
What is undermining Behaviour?
Undermining or bullying behaviour is behaviour that makes you feel harassed, offended or socially excluded, and that affects your work. Examples of undermining behaviour include: Belittling someone in public, humilating them or accusing them of lack of effort.