HR Bitch here: On one hand, keep your head down, do your job, act professionally. On the other hand, keep records (at home) of what happens, CYA with everyone else, make sure you're very direct and clear with the mentally unhealthy.

If you feel you can go to HR do it, but don't just come to complain. Come from a place of "Can you suggest how to best work with Roger? I find that when I say Blah, he often hears Blargh and then tells multiple people Blargh." That way you're "telling on someone" without seeming like a whiner.

It often helps to simply know it's not you and that you're not alone in your difficulties.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do your job. Don't engage. Don't gossip.

Right. My DH did that years ago and someone else poisoned the boss against him and had him fired. There are times you just can't win, but these turn out to be situations where you would not want to stay anyway, so... My advice is to start looking elsewhere if the atmosphere gets really toxic.

Yup. I tried to wait it out, do my job, act professional in a very toxic environment, assuming if I showed no interest in the politics and backstabbing I could stay above the people doing it. Well when those types of toxic people want to make your live miserable there is very little you can do except to quit. Best decision I made was to leave, you can't believe how much happier I am in a place with professionals who act like adults and let you do your job.

This. Keep your head down, don't engage, and get the fuck out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do your job. Don't engage. Don't gossip.

Right. My DH did that years ago and someone else poisoned the boss against him and had him fired. There are times you just can't win, but these turn out to be situations where you would not want to stay anyway, so... My advice is to start looking elsewhere if the atmosphere gets really toxic.

Yup. I tried to wait it out, do my job, act professional in a very toxic environment, assuming if I showed no interest in the politics and backstabbing I could stay above the people doing it. Well when those types of toxic people want to make your live miserable there is very little you can do except to quit. Best decision I made was to leave, you can't believe how much happier I am in a place with professionals who act like adults and let you do your job.

Anonymous wrote:Do your job. Don't engage. Don't gossip.

Right. My DH did that years ago and someone else poisoned the boss against him and had him fired. There are times you just can't win, but these turn out to be situations where you would not want to stay anyway, so... My advice is to start looking elsewhere if the atmosphere gets really toxic.

If you ever figure it out, tell me!

Anonymous wrote:Do your job. Don't engage. Don't gossip.

+1

Do your job. Don't engage. Don't gossip.

I truly believe I have a few colleagues who have personality disorders. How does one deal/avoid getting pulled into the middle of drama as people try to climb to the top of the ladder??