Navigating hostile behavior at work

6 Comments

1. Lynett NakamanyaJanuary 24,2026 at 10:43AM UTC

   your very right Sini

2. Holly NunnallyJanuary 24,2026 at 1:57PM UTC

   I think there is an assumption that remote employees can work when sick (to a certain extent) because they are at home. This needs to change!

3. AnonymousJanuary 24,2026 at 5:53PM UTC

   Absolutely. Our society in general has become more rude and insensitive; people openly insult and use profanity toward each other in online forums and these days, sometimes even in public. Traffic actually slows down and gets more tied up because some people are mean and won't let others merge. Let's bring back kindness, decorum, whatever version of the "Golden Rule" you like (basically, treat others the way you would like to be treated). If someone says something hostile toward you, feel very free to ask "what would cause you to make such an unkind remark?" Try not to take it personally. Be kind to yourself even when others aren't.

4. Regina BrownJanuary 25,2026 at 12:04AM UTC

   Just know that like common sense, not everyone is knowledgable, patient or understands empathy. When working remotely, remember that you can really only be responsible for you own feelings. If you have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with the person or persons with whom you had the hostile communication, try talking it out.

5. Dr. Patty GrossJanuary 25,2026 at 2:12PM UTC

   Being remote comes with certain drawbacks, especially what to do if you are sick. Nobody knows unless you tell them, and even then, if you can sit up and look at a computer screen, they assume you can do your job. The important thing when you are feeling unwell is to communicate that information. If you cannot complete your tasks on time, ask for a sick or PTO day to recover. If they are unwilling to do that, ask for a deadline adjustment. Sometimes it takes a graphic description of your illness to get the point across. Using the phrase "feeling unwell" can mean anything from mild depression to being in a coma, and many people will brush it off, so be more specific. People understand "projectile vomiting," "explosive diarrhea," and a migraine so bad your head is split in two because most of them have had it. These exude the understanding that you have a very limited time to do your job, because most of it is spent taking care of your health. Basic rule of thumb: If you wouldn't dare go to an on-site location because of your symptoms, you need to take a sick day. If you are contagious but functional, use your best judgment about what you can do. (mild to bad cold for example)

6. AnonymousJanuary 28,2026 at 2:19PM UTC

   Use your sick time or PTO or whatever time off is available to you. Remote or not, once you show up online or physically, it is understood that you're there to work fully. They don't care about anything else, so if you're not feeling well don't show up.