Surviving the Office Bully: A Remote IT Professional’s Account

Are you familiar with the kind of office bully who might 'borrow' your personal items, take credit for your work, or constantly interrupt your concentration? In this account, I share my experience with such a person in a remote IT job and the challenges I faced while working with him.

Introduction to Doug

Back when work was conducted in a physical office, one named Doug joined our team. During our interview, Doug showcased extensive knowledge in IT. However, it was later evident that he merely memorized critical concepts to navigate the interview. In essence, Doug was utterly incompetent and relied on his team for every little task.

Tactics of the Office Bully

The way Doug operated was insidious. Rather than a physical or overt bully, Doug was a master manipulator, stealing time and resources from his colleagues to make himself look indispensable.

Borrowing and Interruption

He 'borrowed' things like personal equipment, technical manuals, and even your snacks. More common, though, was his relentless interruption during crucial work sessions, such as production issues impacting revenue. It's like he had a tap on the shoulder for the shoulder, disrupting your peace and focus.

Blame and Pointing Fingers

In the midst of a shutdown, he would prioritize himself over others. Even if someone assisted him, he would deflect the credit. This culminated in him blaming others for his own failures. Whether it be 'Sean wouldn’t help me' or 'the documentation isn’t clear enough,' he always had a scapegoat, yet refused to seek or provide solutions himself.

Tone and Communication

Doug wasn’t just a problem in action; his communication was condescending, often accompanied by emails that seemed to lecture the team on productivity.

Remote IT Job and Crafting Boundaries

Luckily, I’m currently working as a remote IT professional, allowing me to work from anywhere. However, even in a remote setting, Doug's toxic behavior plagued my daily life. I found myself setting up separate workspaces to minimize his impact. The constant interruptions, even when I tried to ignore him, became unbearable.

Documentation and Accountability

Despite my best efforts to establish boundaries, the situation only worsened. The IT team needed him to document everything, which was a way to hold him accountable for his performance. This proved to be a futile endeavor, as Doug always managed to blame others or claim external factors as obstacles.

Dealing with Discrimination

The irony of Doug's case was that he was African American. His impaired work ethic had nothing to do with race, but HR was apprehensive about dealing with him due to the risk of race-based grievances. It took nine long months to finally address his behavior. During this time, Doug continuously sought ways to escalate the situation, including sending a 'thank you' email that was transparent in its underlying taunts.

Out with the Bully

Eventually, Doug was fired, but his exit was marked by further taunting. He sent a ‘thank you’ email boasting how he got a better job from his colleagues, thus further proving his disruptive nature. The separation was ultimately a relief, with Doug leaving in January 2020 just before the onset of the pandemic.

Lessons Learned

Dealing with toxic behavior in the workplace can be exhausting. It’s essential to document and communicate your boundaries, set clear performance goals, and seek help from managers and HR when necessary. While racism may not be the issue, addressing and resolving these dynamics ensures a healthier, more productive work environment.