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Some coworkers are just God sent. You make best friends, you fall in love, you meet your idols, you find your team players to climb up that long career ladder with. They make your lunch breaks less lonely, meetings funnier and deadlines… well, the deadlines are the same no matter what.

But sometimes your coworkers are just the opposite. They make doing your job harder than it already is, and everything in between way less enjoyable. If you are dealing with a coworker like that, let me tell you, you are not the only one. There are millions of people out there handling the most annoying, irrational, or even plain evil colleagues because… well, because it's what you’re supposed to do, right?

So if you're too tired to deal with this on your own, this post compiled by Bored Panda is a safe place to vent and talk about hard things. Pull your seat closer and scroll through the stories about coworkers from hell by sharing your own experiences in the comments below!

And when you're done, more stories about difficult coworkers await in our previous features here and here.

#1

All Of My Coworkers Agreed To Dress Up As Smurfs For Halloween. I'm The Only One To Go Through With It

All Of My Coworkers Agreed To Dress Up As Smurfs For Halloween. I'm The Only One To Go Through With It

Papa_Skittles Report

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    #2

    My Coworker Told Me That Everyone Dressed Up At My Office. Now I’m The Only Person Dressed Like Captain Kirk Amongst Khakis And Polo Shirts

    My Coworker Told Me That Everyone Dressed Up At My Office. Now I’m The Only Person Dressed Like Captain Kirk Amongst Khakis And Polo Shirts

    DukeMaximum Report

    #3

    Yesterday This Guy Put Ghost Pepper Popcorn In Our Industrial Microwave At Work For Over 5 Minutes. The Office Was Filled With Black Smoke Burning People's Eyes

    Yesterday This Guy Put Ghost Pepper Popcorn In Our Industrial Microwave At Work For Over 5 Minutes. The Office Was Filled With Black Smoke Burning People's Eyes

    No one could breathe. He basically maced the building. We were moved to the other end so we could keep working.

    StereoShayn Report

    Bored Panda spoke with Christine Mitterbauer, a licensed and ICF-approved career coach and serial entrepreneur who shared some great insights on dealing with difficult coworkers. So pull your seat closer.

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    Mitterbauer said that “it’s important that you stand your ground and don’t let yourself be intimidated by difficult coworkers, whether they’re negative, talking down to you, or making your work difficult in any other way.”

    “Of course, you can try to interact as little as possible with the coworker, but that isn’t always possible,” the career coach added. Moreover, a great skill to practice is becoming better at having difficult conversations, she said.

    #4

    As A Practical Joke, Some Co-Workers Wrapped My Office In Foil. In The Process, My 30" LCD Monitor Was Accidentally Turned On, And It Boiled Itself

    As A Practical Joke, Some Co-Workers Wrapped My Office In Foil. In The Process, My 30" LCD Monitor Was Accidentally Turned On, And It Boiled Itself

    Here's what it looked like when I unwrapped it

    daroon Report

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    Bernd Herbert
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really hate such blatant waste of resources. The monitor, the tin foil

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    #6

    My Coworker Lied To My Boss That I Could Cover His Shift

    My Coworker Lied To My Boss That I Could Cover His Shift

    apollogamez60 Report

    When dealing with difficult coworkers, always focus on the behavior you would like to address and which is bothering you, and never go down the road of stating negative traits or characteristics about that person, Mitterbauer argues.

    “Stick to negative behavior as that’s more objective and can more easily be verified by everyone involved. Practice exactly what you want to say beforehand, and consider getting other allies on board as well. Sometimes it is necessary to involve management, but it’s often better to only do this once you can demonstrate to the manager what you yourself have attempted to tackle the issue,” she explained.

    #7

    I Work At A Place Where At The End Of Shifts We Split The Tips Evenly Between The 2-3 People That Work

    I Work At A Place Where At The End Of Shifts We Split The Tips Evenly Between The 2-3 People That Work

    We had more than 50$ of tips today and my coworker had to leave about 10 minutes early. She ended up taking all but ~2.50$ and management won't do anything about it.

    TMOJBAR Report

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    #8

    Someone Brought This To The Office Potluck

    Someone Brought This To The Office Potluck

    pasciiii Report

    #9

    It's Always A Pleasure To Realize That Your Coworkers Don't Know How To Close A Box Properly... Right When You're Ready To Go Home

    It's Always A Pleasure To Realize That Your Coworkers Don't Know How To Close A Box Properly... Right When You're Ready To Go Home

    Thunder_SdSh Report

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    Most people have had coworkers they don’t get along with, Mitterbauer continues, but she says there’s a difference between not being great friends and them making your working life miserable. “When their behavior starts affecting your work and/or you are thinking about this issue in your free time, possibly dreading going to work the next day, that’s when it becomes an issue.”

    #10

    Coworker Announced That She And Her SO Are Finally Pregnant, I Got Her A Box Of Pastries To Celebrate And When I The Party Was About To Start I Open The Fridge At Work And See This

    Coworker Announced That She And Her SO Are Finally Pregnant, I Got Her A Box Of Pastries To Celebrate And When I The Party Was About To Start I Open The Fridge At Work And See This

    Weyland223 Report

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    #11

    My Coworker Put Straight Printer Ink In One Of My Gloves At Work. This Will Take A Week Or Two Minimum To Come Off

    My Coworker Put Straight Printer Ink In One Of My Gloves At Work. This Will Take A Week Or Two Minimum To Come Off

    xamlax Report

    #12

    Apparently Someone Has Been Munching My Donuts And It Was Supposed To Be For My Kids After Work

    Apparently Someone Has Been Munching My Donuts And It Was Supposed To Be For My Kids After Work

    8slipknot8 Report

    #13

    Came Back To Work So See This Prominently Displayed In A Coworker’s Cube

    Came Back To Work So See This Prominently Displayed In A Coworker’s Cube

    SchuylarTheCat Report

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    #14

    Coworkers Not Cleaning Their Hands Before Using The Oven Mitts

    Coworkers Not Cleaning Their Hands Before Using The Oven Mitts

    PandaSushi06 Report

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    #15

    This Is How My Coworker Avoids Taking Out His Garbage

    This Is How My Coworker Avoids Taking Out His Garbage

    kopo27 Report

    #16

    I Won A $5 Bet Against My Coworker. I Came Into The Work This Morning To Find This On My Desk. Thanks, Brad

    I Won A $5 Bet Against My Coworker. I Came Into The Work This Morning To Find This On My Desk. Thanks, Brad

    reddit.com Report

    #17

    My Colleague Drove With Me In My Company Vehicle. She Left This Piece Of Gum On The Door

    My Colleague Drove With Me In My Company Vehicle. She Left This Piece Of Gum On The Door

    OriginalAndre Report

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    POST
    Scout Finch
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tell her she left something in the car or return it by smashing it in the middle of her forehead, but then you'd have to find a way to extract it.

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    #18

    Coworker Didn't Know How To Take A Screenshot And Decided To Photocopy The Phone

    Coworker Didn't Know How To Take A Screenshot And Decided To Photocopy The Phone

    Nyroc12 Report

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    #19

    My Colleague's Desktop

    My Colleague's Desktop

    rainbowstas Report

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    Eva Bryson
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And then they complain to the IT staff about how slow their computer is.

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    #20

    My Coworker Never Shuts Sharpies All The Way And Wonders Why They Dry Out

    My Coworker Never Shuts Sharpies All The Way And Wonders Why They Dry Out

    VermicelliNo2422 Report

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    #22

    So Remember My Coworker's Coffee Mug From A Few Weeks Back. Here's The Keyboard

    So Remember My Coworker's Coffee Mug From A Few Weeks Back. Here's The Keyboard

    Impudicity2001 Report

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    #23

    My Coworker Decided To Put Two Kinds Of Candies Together

    My Coworker Decided To Put Two Kinds Of Candies Together

    AristonD Report

    #24

    Coworkers Keep Stealing My Stapler At Work. I've Made It Clear It's Not To Leave My Desk

    Coworkers Keep Stealing My Stapler At Work. I've Made It Clear It's Not To Leave My Desk

    frankgjnaan Report

    #25

    Coworker Hit My Car And Acted As If She Didn't Know Who Hit It

    Coworker Hit My Car And Acted As If She Didn't Know Who Hit It

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    #26

    I Think My Coworker Doesn't Like Sharing Anymore

    I Think My Coworker Doesn't Like Sharing Anymore

    eldelao Report

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    POST
    Sleazy Weaver
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    maybe YOU'RE the a*****e coworker if you think you can just go through your coworker's snacks to the point where they have to write notes to keep you out.

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    #27

    My Colleagues, Everyone

    My Colleagues, Everyone

    stefatr0n Report

    #28

    While Looking For A File In My Coworker's Drawer, I Found This. Thing

    While Looking For A File In My Coworker's Drawer, I Found This. Thing

    marcish Report

    #29

    My New Coworker's Company Rental Car

    My New Coworker's Company Rental Car

    backpackingzack Report

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    #30

    Coworkers Replacing The Paper Towel Roll

    Coworkers Replacing The Paper Towel Roll

    baking_btch Report

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    #31

    Found At The Communal Coffee Pot At My Corporate Office

    Found At The Communal Coffee Pot At My Corporate Office

    RUKittenMe99 Report

    #32

    This Is At My Work. She Does This Every Single Day

    This Is At My Work. She Does This Every Single Day

    unwittingconfusion Report

    #33

    Coworker Walks Around The Office Barefoot

    Coworker Walks Around The Office Barefoot

    Justletmedieplease_ Report

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    #35

    My Coworker Eats His Pickles Like A Psychopath

    My Coworker Eats His Pickles Like A Psychopath

    SleepyBoiii90 Report

    #36

    A Coffee Pot That I Discovered In A Coworker's Office. Wonder What The Inside Is Like At This Point

    A Coffee Pot That I Discovered In A Coworker's Office. Wonder What The Inside Is Like At This Point

    straightskippy Report

    #37

    My Coworker Has Been Complaining About Lack Of Available Space On Her Work Computer

    My Coworker Has Been Complaining About Lack Of Available Space On Her Work Computer

    BadPunsIsHowEyeRoll Report

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    #38

    The Side Of My Coworkers Desk Where They Leave Dead Skin And Nail Clippings

    The Side Of My Coworkers Desk Where They Leave Dead Skin And Nail Clippings

    pancakeking1012 Report

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    #40

    My Coworker Stocks The Coolers At My Work, And His Dandruff Is On Every Single Can

    My Coworker Stocks The Coolers At My Work, And His Dandruff Is On Every Single Can

    SlamdolfTheGay Report

    #41

    Someone Cut The Tops Off The Cinnamon Crunch Bagels At The Office

    Someone Cut The Tops Off The Cinnamon Crunch Bagels At The Office

    ssjvash Report

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    #42

    When You Are Off For Christmas But Your Colleagues Have To “Work”

    When You Are Off For Christmas But Your Colleagues Have To “Work”

    toppertd Report

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    #43

    My Colleagues Marked My Lost Safety Goggles With Permanent Marker

    My Colleagues Marked My Lost Safety Goggles With Permanent Marker

    BoilersuitBoris Report

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    POST
    Dave Smith
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just go over the writing with a dry wipe marker and then wipe with a paper towel. Comes straight off

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    #44

    When Your Coworker Tries To Take Two Pallets Down At A Time With A Forklift

    When Your Coworker Tries To Take Two Pallets Down At A Time With A Forklift

    whatdolknow Report

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    POST
    Alex Boomhower
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone broke one box of beer. It smelled awful. I can't even begin to imagine how terrible it must smell here

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    #45

    A Coworker Tried To Sharpen My Good Kitchen Knifes With An Angle Grinder

    A Coworker Tried To Sharpen My Good Kitchen Knifes With An Angle Grinder

    gustavotherecliner Report

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    #46

    My Coworker Made Sour Cream And Onion Pringles Cake. Oh God Why

    My Coworker Made Sour Cream And Onion Pringles Cake. Oh God Why

    auruleful Report

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    #47

    The Interior Of A Coworker's Truck. Just The Tip Of The Iceberg With This Gentleman

    The Interior Of A Coworker's Truck. Just The Tip Of The Iceberg With This Gentleman

    rockstar4000 Report

    #48

    Office Mates Chair

    Office Mates Chair

    albattros Report

    #49

    My Coworker Needs Her Office Grocery Privileges Taken Away

    My Coworker Needs Her Office Grocery Privileges Taken Away

    tbreeze21 Report

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    #50

    The Way My Coworker Eats Sushi

    The Way My Coworker Eats Sushi

    remichelle Report

    Note: this post originally had 113 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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