Five ways to deal with saboteurs at the workplace

In a competitive environment, there will always be those who try to sabotage their colleagues’ work. Spreading rumours, slacking off on a project at the last minute, taking undue credit for work are some of the tactics employed by these people. ET shows you how to deal with the problem.

1. Communicate Clearly

Discourage gossip and rumour-mongering by keeping communication lines open. “Town halls, email threads, and one-on-one sessions can be effective in building a workplace that thrives on trust,” says Ajay Nair, chief administrative officer of Housing.com.

2. Stay Watchful

As senior management, it is your responsibility to ensure the workplace is welcoming for all. “Watch out for any kind of abnormal behaviour from employees, or a series of events that may be affecting their work,” says Rituparna Chakraborty, president, Indian Staffing Federation.

3. Hire A Counsellor

Employ an in-house expert who can guide employees through their experiences with workplace sabotage. “Having a counsellor or psychologist will ensure employees can not only vent their concerns in a safe space, but also get the right advice on dealing with the matter,” says Nair.

4. Invite Feedback

Keep channels open for employees to discuss concerns. “Have frequent documented reviews with peers and seniors,” says Chakraborty. Frequent interactions with senior leaders can also be crucial.

5. Create Support Groups

When an employee chooses to escalate the issue, make sure a support mechanism is in place. Many people find it difficult to deal with aggressive saboteurs. “A larger support group within the organisation can make handling the situation easier,” says Anita Menon, vice-president of HR, FreshMenu.