Dealing with disruptive and petty coworkers is an unfortunate fact of life for many people. Petty coworkers usually make mountains out of molehills, often engage in office gossip and create a negative, sometimes hostile, work environment. Even if your coworker seems determined to make you look bad, steal your credit or rattle your nerves, you don't have to suffer endlessly. Take specific, empowering steps to let your coworker know you won't tolerate their behavior.

Ignore Your Coworker

Ignoring your coworker's petty, childish behavior is one of the first steps you should take, and also one of the most difficult. After all, it's not easy to sit there and watch someone expend so much negative energy. But while you cannot control your coworker's feelings or actions, you can control the way you respond to their behavior. In most cases, ignoring the behavior is effective because you show him that their actions aren't affecting you. Be disciplined and ignore any urges to respond to them. When your coworker realizes that their behavior is failing to achieve the desired outcome, such as your frustration, they might decide to stop.

Focus on Your Work

Executive coach and organizational and leadership development strategist Joan Lloyd advises employees who are dealing with petty and disruptive coworkers to focus on their work and leave the rest to management. It's highly likely that your other coworkers feel the same way you do. At some point, those in a leadership position will recognize the impact of your petty coworker on the overall work environment. Instead of wasting your energy on your coworker's immaturity and pettiness, bide your time and concentrate on being a productive, efficient team player.

Keep a Record

Keeping a record of the specific things your coworker says and the way she affects your work might help in case you want to discuss the problem directly with your coworker or with management, according to life coach and author Jennifer Louden. Making a note of your coworker's words and actions might help you gain insight into their motives. This can arm you for confrontation, if necessary. You can also use this information to let them know how her behavior has made you uncomfortable. In addition, your notes serve as evidence if you need to enlist the support of management.

Confrontation

In certain cases, you might need to be proactive when dealing with petty, disruptive coworkers. Before you decide to talk to management, it can be helpful to talk with your coworker directly about their behavior, said organizational psychologist and business coach Marie G. McIntyre. There is a chance, however slight, that your coworker isn't aware of their behavior and actions. Confronting them privately lets them know that their behavior is unacceptable and gives them the opportunity to change. If his behavior doesn't improve, then you might want to have a conversation with your manager or boss. Enlist the support of coworkers who are also affected by their behavior – there's a in numbers. Let your manager know the impact of your coworker's behavior on your productivity, performance and morale.