Workplace
Dealing with slackers
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.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Budget: Gutting Medicaid to pass tax cuts?
Feature To extend Trump's tax cuts, the GOP is looking to cut Medicaid and other assistance programs
By The Week US
-
How will the next pope change the Catholic Church?
Talking Points Conclaves can be unpredictable
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
Conspiracy theorists circle again following RFK file release
The Explainer Both RFK and his brother, President John F. Kennedy, have been the subjects of conspiracies
By Justin Klawans, The Week US