How does one coexist in a small space with someone they hate?

It's my office mate. She's lazy, lies, plays hooky all the time (leaving me with a fast paced office to run on my own). She even cheated a family member of mine out of money (before I knew her). He said she charged him double what a door cost because his grandkids broke her door. She told me she broke her door once with a weed eater. She doesn't know I know about her dealings with my family member, we were just discussing weed eaters one day and she said it. Anyway, it's getting to where I can't even look at her much less be sociable. I'm afraid it will hurt my job. My office is very small. Only about 6 people work there. How can I tolerate her 8 hours a day?

Should I tell my uncle what I know about the door? It happened a few years ago.

Nasty isn't it.

Someone said, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

I wouldn't say anything to your relative about the door, nothing good will come of it.

I would have a private meeting with the boss and see what can be done. Look for another job meanwhile.

Also, distance yourself from her as much as possible. Go to an earlier or later lunch.

Go for a walk, read a book, magazine, anything to clear your mind and give yourself a needed break. You are getting stressed out over a moron.


Good Luck.

Hang in there... she will probably be fired or quit soon anyhow. just try not to look her in the eye... lol. well, if you tell your uncle what she said, it will probably just upset him more.. and you have no proof in court... and it doesnt look good that he paid her the money already. Just accept her as she is... Not a very good person.

Find out where she lives, give some delinquent kid a double sawbuck and a weed-whacker along with her address, and let the laughter roll!

Everytime she plays hooky, go to your boss and inquire as to where she is since you have work for her? Maybe your boss will rectify the problem.

You shouldn't assume she was talking about the same door.If she overcharged your uncle Karma could have gotten her back.

As for you when you do not speak up for your own belief and pretend to be a friend to her face you are nothing unfortunately short of a liar yourself. This is where you need to be clever with your words and control your temper until a better understanding is reached.

You will blow eventually!!

Seriously, I spent years living with roommates who I hated. The only way you can change it (try to live with it) is to MOVE ON. Its too stressful for you to try to work there (or live there, in my case) with someone you hate. Whether you know it or not, its taking a toll on your emotional health and strips away energy that you could apply to something else. It isn't worth you staying there, if its obvious this will be a long-term thing. By the way-it will hurt your job (productivity) if you stay...really, just move on.

I think moving on is an option to look at, but not until you've spoken with your boss. It is legal to fire her for attendance issues, as long as they give her a warning first and/or write her up. Tell your boss how you feel, and that if they can't do anything about her, then you will have to relieve yourself of the cause of your stress, which may mean changing jobs. If you are lucky and your superiors recognize how much you are worth to the company, they may get rid of her. Or maybe at least transfer her away from you. If your boss is not understanding in the least, go higher up. If no one will listen, you may be better off working elsewhere, because you will run into bad situations in the future as well, and it's not worth it to stay with an employer who doesn't care about their employees. Good luck!