5 Ways To Deal With A Lazy Co-Worker

My co-worker is lazy and never gets his work done on time or well, which means, I have to work longer just so that we can finish the project on time. I am tired of having to pick up the slack. How do I deal with a lazy co-worker?

The most important thing when figuring out how to deal with a lazy co- worker is to assess the situation. Try and figure out how exactly their laziness is affecting your productivity if at all it is.

If their laziness have no effect on how you do your job, then there is really no point in you making it your business. You need to mind your own work.

However, if it is affecting the way you do your job and making your work harder then you do need to take some action.

RELATED ARTICLE >>> 7 Bad Habits You Should Quit At The Workplace 

Here are a few tips to help you deal with a lazy co-worker

1. Don’t let their laziness distract you.

When trying to deal with a lazy co-worker, it is important to ensure that you do not spend all your time focusing on that individual.

Try as much as you can to only focus on your own work.

People tend to spend more time focusing on the fact that their co-worker is not doing this or that than they actually do in their work.

This will then affect productivity. You do not want your work output to suffer because you spent the whole day looking at what your co-worker is doing or rather not doing.

2. Don’t focus on how unfair it is.

There is no need in stating the obvious. Yes, it is not fair that you get to do more work and you are both paid the same or maybe they even get more money than you but they do almost nothing.

But the sad truth is, life is not fair. Focusing on how unfair the situation is will only serve to make you feel bad.

It will not change the situation in any way so why focus on it. Instead, strive to increase your productivity.

3. It should not affect your attitude.

Yes, it can be annoying having to deal with a lazy co-worker but by allowing the situation to make you angry and bitter, you are not helping yourself.

Due to your mood and attitude, your productivity at work might start going down which will reflect poorly on you. Not forgetting no one wants to work with someone who is always angry and hostile.

So you might end up being disliked by your other colleagues.

READ ALSO >>> Workplace Drama: The 6 Kinds of Bad Bosses

4. Their work is not your responsibility.

Do not take it upon yourself to do their work. It doesn’t matter if you are on the same team or not. There is no need for you to do the work they are not doing.

This will only encourage their behaviour because they will know you will always do the work for them.

Instead, remind them of set deadlines and what they are required to do. If they fail to meet the deadline or do the work let them take it up with the boss. Just always ensure your part is well done.

5. Talk to your co-worker.

Sometimes it has nothing to do with laziness. It could be because they are not clearly aware of what is expected of them especially for new co-workers. In this case it is important to clearly explain to them what is expected of them.

The other possibility is that they are going through something personal. It is important to remember that once in a while we all go through some things that affect our mood and in turn our productivity. It could be something health related or even family related.

In such situations they need a little more understanding. However, this is not to say that every sad story should be an excuse to under-perform or not do your job right. But there are special circumstances that as human beings, we need to empathize with.

READ ALSO >>> 6 Smart Social Skills Employers Want From You at The Workplace

All in all, if all efforts of communicating with your co-worker fail, then it is time you take it up with your boss. Just ensure that you approach it in a way that doesn’t portray you as a busybody.

Do you have any tips on how to deal with a lazy co-worker? Share them below