THERE can be bad days at work where you feel your hair will turn grey prematurely, due to the negativity of your colleagues.

Negative energy can suck the energy out of employees and affect productivity negatively because of how people behave differently around others. It happens because sometimes some people are simply stuck in a negative outlook. Yajna Gold, a small business owner, says it can be emotionally draining and challenging, but understanding the root cause that creates the negativity and finding a way to address it the best solution.

“It’s important to discuss the negative issues affecting others, but doing it in the right way. “I believe that sometimes employees fail to speak about the issues they have about their work, their co-workers or even their bosses, so it creates a toxic environment in the workplace,” she says.

Gold says as much as it is draining to work in a negative environment, it is important to understand that it takes time, effort and a commitment to turn things around for the better. “Perhaps your job requires that you collaborate with a pessimistic colleague who creates a toxic environment in the office, or the negativity is simply a result of poor leadership, but you have the opportunity to be the beacon of light,” she says.

An international online publication suggests seven things to help you handle negativity at work:

Accept people’s behaviour
Often, we can quickly pick up negative vibes around work. You need not even wonder where it comes from, but have to realise that it is unfortunately who they are.
This is the first step to dealing with the issue, so you can come to terms with the fact that you cannot change them.
The most important thing to remember is that it is about them, not you.

Stay away from work politics
Sometimes, the best response is no response at all. Workplace gossip is common, no matter where you work.
The best thing to do is to avoid commenting on contentious isses. If someone gossips about the company or the new boss, the best response is to say: “I’d rather not comment on this discussion.”

Hang around positive people
Maintaining a good relationship with people who largely see the good in things will help boost your mood every day at work.
These people help you remain positive about work, life and other colleagues, rather than those who always drain your energy and make you resent coming to work.

Self-focus
Nothing beats focusing on yourself, your goals and ambitions. It is easy to get distracted and frustrated about the behaviour of negative people around you, but remember what attracted you to the job and what you want out of it.

Teamwork
Sometimes, the only thing that can bring people together is working together, despite being in a negative space.
It is being distant or working against your colleagues that creates a bad attitude towards one another.
Working together will help you to learn things about one another, and a healthy relationship could start there.

Avoid negative people
Not everyone at work will have a negative attitude. But the minute you encounter someone who does, distance yourself from them or try not to have a close relationship with them. Sometimes, things are better avoided so that you do not end up in trouble.

Kindness
You may be familiar with the saying: “Kill them with kindness and bury them with a smile.”
It is one of the things you can apply to handling a negative workplace and co-workers.
Do not let toxic people steal your joy in the workplace.

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