How to handle some of the most awkward work situations

Let’s just admit it—awkward situations at work are the worst. Being unable to deal with situations can make it absolutely unpleasant and uncomfortable.

The worst part of it all is that you can’t even react the way you want to, for fear of being targeted by your boss or colleagues at work.

Let’s take a look at some of the most awkward workplace situations and how you can handle them.

1. When a coworker steals your ideas
Be all in for teamwork but make sure you have a record of your own work, so that later, when a coworker shows any intention of stealing your work, you have a say in what you have worked upon. Next, go public with your ideas. If you want to wait for feedback on an idea, that is fine, but start telling out loud your ideas because you never know when your coworkers slyly steal your ideas and voice them as their own.

2. Your boss blames you for their mistake
This can be quite tricky. If it’s an itty-bitty mistake and you want to avoid any big, ugly confrontation with your boss, then leave it. But if your boss continues to blame you for their mistakes, you can privately have a talk with your boss. Ask her what the mistake was and very calmly and sensitively, tell her that you weren’t the one to make that mistake. By bringing this to her attention, you are letting your manager know that you are ‘aware of their actions.’ Hopefully, they won’t make this mistake in the future.

3. You are asked to work late but you have major plans
First, try to understand the goal of why your boss wants you to work late. Is it about a project that needs to be submitted by that night or can it be shifted to the next morning? You can promise your boss to work on some parts of the project within some time and finish it off the next morning by waking early and getting it done on time. If you have been given a certain work, you can’t really avoid it but you have to compromise around it.

4. There are baseless rumours about you
Tackling rumours about you in the workplace can be a pretty awkward situation. However, you have to be direct with your questions and answers. Ask your coworkers about what they think—do you think the rumours are true? You can start by explaining your side of the story stating that the rumours aren’t true. Then you can say, please help me in stopping this rumour by not mentioning it again. You need to be assertive yet calm with your tone.