4 Tips for Handling Workplace Negativity

4 Tips for Handling Workplace Negativity 4 Tips for Handling Workplace Negativity 1Workplace negativity: It can happen in any work environment. Whether you’re in a traditional office or telecommuting, or work a full- or part-time job, or even if you freelance, you’re going to face this obstacle at some point. It might be a person or a group of people who always seem to be negative, who are unsupportive of others, or who actively do negative things to coworkers. And then again, it might be the workplace culture as a whole. Either way, here are a few excellent tips from CEO Sara Sutton for decreasing negativity in the workplace: How to handle workplace negativity: Set the tone and brighten your personal space. with plants, pictures, flowers, or fun office items. If people are surrounded by positive things when they come to see you, they’re more likely to be positive. And you, yourself, are more likely to keep spirits up if you’re surrounded by things that are proven to make people happier and less stressed. You can’t control other people’s negativity, but you can control yours.   Come up with a “zen” approach that helps you “let go” of negativity vibes in the area, such as doing a few yoga stretches, deep breathing for a minute, listening to a favorite song, or drinking a cup of “calming” tea. Start the karma train. Even small kindnesses, such as leaving a bag of treats with a note “Please help yourself” or asking about a coworker’s day can help change the kindness karma in your office. If you’re nice to someone, they’ll hopefully be nicer to the next person they see, who will in turn be nicer to the next person THEY see, etc. Approach your boss, if you can.   Assuming your boss is not the main perpetrator and also considering how good your relationship is with your boss, consider bringing it up with him or her.  Try not to make it a problem that he/she needs to “fix,” but rather ask if they have suggestions for how you can help improve the positivity within your work group. Of course, there are some workplaces where negativity reigns supreme, and if you’ve got the sneaking suspicion that your employer is one of the bad apples, why not find a new workplace altogether? Check out our latest telecommuting, part-time, freelance, and flexible schedule jobs!