No one should ever have to deal with a lazy coworker. A lazy coworker comes to work but does nothing meaningful or productive. Lazy coworkers are not willing to put in the effort; they are always relaxed, less concerned, and unbothered. At the surface level, lazy individuals might not show signs of being lazy or seem to be lazy at all. 

On a  closer look, you will see that all that co-worker does is complain and or gossip. They also like to talk about all the work they have done which amounts to nothing and how they are not going to do anything else because they are already overworked when in essence they are only trying to avoid putting in minimal effort. 

Sometimes a lazy colleague is that individual who is up and about asking everyone else about their jobs and tasks. Lazy colleagues are those colleagues of ours that always come in late, make personal phone calls all day and have 3-hour lunch breaks. As you read this article, does a co-worker or colleague come to mind? Well, keep reading to see how you can deal with lazy coworkers.

The problem of a lazy co-worker

In a professional or business setting what the next person does is not your business. What is your business is what they did not do as it then becomes your job or their failings hinder you from making progress with your task. A lazy co-worker would slow down everyone else as having a co-worker usually means teamwork. 

When a team member is lazy he or she isn't playing fair or is failing to contribute his or her quota to the team which would affect the general output or productivity. In situations where you do not want the productivity to be affected, other people end up doing the job of this lazy person or trying to help out which would put more pressure on them and we all know this is unfair and unprofessional on the part of the lazy employee or colleague.

It can be a real challenge to work with a lazy person. You may have to deal with lateness, sloppy jobs, and avoidable pressure to meet deadlines as they like to procrastinate. Lazy coworkers would always have excuses for uncompleted tasks and assignments. They are also quick to shift blame to others.

It is important at this point that we differentiate being lazy from being inefficient. A person may be inefficient because he or she lacks the skill or necessary knowledge to carry out tasks and as such is unproductive or minimally so. A lazy person on the other hand possesses the knowledge and skills required to carry out his job but prefers not to exert himself.

How to deal with a lazy coworker.

As we all hope to never have to do with lazy coworkers or colleagues, it is wise to gear up in case of eventualities. Here are eight ways to deal with or handle lazy co-workers without being unprofessional.

1. Be polite: Being rude may just be adding fuel to fire in many cases laziness is a way of life for these individuals. They may find it hard to acknowledge that they are being lazy and may defend themselves by saying they are overworked so politely talk to them about their shortcomings.

2. Communicate tasks clearly: When assigning tasks to them, be clear about the objectives, processes and expected results and be sure to give deadlines. It would help to move the actual deadline closer to give them a sense of urgency. Say you need a job done in two weeks, tell them they have a week to get it done.

3. Do not be an enabler of their laziness: Avoid unnecessary chit chats. Time and energy spent in personal conversations would go a long way if put into their jobs. Also, avoid helping them with their tasks constantly or regularly.

4. Do not cover for lazy colleagues: When issues arise, do not defend them or make excuses for them. Let them answer for their actions or lack of it and face the consequences that may arise.

5. Talk to other colleagues to be sure you are not being overly critical of the colleague you view as lazy.

6. Do not let them get to you: You might find yourself constantly complaining about an individual and trying to monitor their every action and inaction. This would affect your input as you might become more preoccupied with what they do or do not do.

7. Give a lazy colleagues all the tools and resources they need for work to make sure they do not come up with excuses as to why they fall short in their duties

8. Make a to-do list routinely for lazy people: Tick off jobs that were accomplished within the specified time frame. This would serve as a record if you have to report them to a superior

9. Reports to a superior: No one likes to snitch or report an adult to another adult but sometimes this is the last or only option we have left. Do this when all other options have failed.

Get more tips on how to deal with a lazy co-worker here.

It's quite easy to point fingers at someone and call them lazy. Before you do, make sure they do not suffer from any illness or have challenges getting the resources needed to do their jobs.

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