Workplace

It may seem counterintuitive, but during tough economic times some workers are more inclined to slack off, said Eilene Zimmerman in The New York Times. “People are feeling uncertain and insecure, so they spend more time talking about problems than getting the work done,” says organizational psychologist Paul Damiano. Still, if a co-worker’s lack of motivation is affecting your own job, there may come a point when you need to say something. “Don’t stew about the problem and vent to others.” Your own productivity will only suffer.

Start by speaking with your colleague in a private setting, and “use concrete examples to explain what you are seeing and its impact on you,” said Amy Gallo in BusinessWeek. Ask questions before pointing fingers. If your colleague’s shortcomings are due to a short-term problem, such as a personal issue, “offer to help.” Avoid taking the issue to your colleague’s manager, lest you be labeled as someone who’s not a “team player.” Just make sure that you’re communicating clearly with higher-ups about your own work—and don’t be afraid to claim “credit where credit is due.”

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