151 Quick Ideas to Deal With Difficult People

76Warding Off Harassers

A coworker confided that she was weary of a male coworker’s repeated invitations to visit his apartment. The woman, who is married, had never expressed interest in visiting him and was offended by his requests. I suggested she tell him she had to see when her husband was available. That lifted her spirits.

When a colleague makes inappropriate remarks, go on the offensive and respond with something he doesn’t want to hear, especially something involving a husband or a boyfriend. I’ve heard far too many stories of women who suffered in silence after a harasser struck. You may wind up appealing to a manager for help. But until you do, when the harasser throws something unexpected your way, throw something unexpected right ...