Working with a psycho

[Anonymous]

Help. I'm working with a psychotic person and am not sure how to deal with it. He's paranoid, nervous and obsessive compulsive. He can't think clearly and if you let him he'll turn the simplest things into a complicated mess. Unless you cut it short and basically run out of the office, he turns most interactions into an argument. It's gotten to the point where you can't even bring minor work things up with him for fear of how he'll respond.

Anyone have experience with this kind of person? How do you deal with it?

[Dr T Non-Fan]

An actuary, eh? Comes with the territory.

1. Start interviewing for a new job. Then once you've found an acceptable offer, provide your boss with an ultimatum: him or you.
2. Be sure to get assurances from your new supervisor not to hire this guy.

[Anonymous]

Leave Cigna.

[Anonymous]

I'm hoping not to have to leave. Is there some field of psychology which can help us deal with this kind of person? Maybe if you say things in a certain way, or something along those lines?

[The Mister]

<font size=2>If he's that bad, why hasn't his supervisor fired him yet?

[Anonymous]

We're desperate for people.

[The Mister]

<font size=2>Most other actuarial employers are not *that* desperate right now. Is there something in particular about your company that keeps it from being more competitive from a hiring standpoint?

[Anonymous]

We're desperate because a few people left recently. We're a very small shop.

[Anonymous]

He has connections.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

And they left because....?

There's no psychology YOU could use, though your HR might be able to do something. Let his boss take care of things from now on. No need to talk to him about anything.

[Anonymous]

We're coworkers, meaning we have to work WITH ONE ANOTHER. HeLLOooo?? IT's not that hard to understand!

[Anonymous]

I'm the first anonymous, but didn't write the "connections" or the last note. Is there another anonymous with the same problem? If so, I know what you're going through. Best of luck.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Please register a unique pseudonym. Abandon it when done with this conversation.

It seems that he gathers enjoyment from making you frazzled. So don't give him ways to frazzle you. Your boss and his boss (perhaps the same person) should be amade aware of the situation.

There's no quick fix to this. If he is impaired, professional help is needed. If he's extraordinarily annoying, then avoid. that's what bosses are for. Since bosses can fire him, they need to become frustrated, too.

[...]

Sounds Like my kinda guy...

[Redhead]

I was curious to see what happened...

[Wigmeister General]

Help. I'm working with a psychotic person and am not sure how to deal with it. He's paranoid, nervous and obsessive compulsive. He can't think clearly and if you let him he'll turn the simplest things into a complicated mess. Unless you cut it short and basically run out of the office, he turns most interactions into an argument. It's gotten to the point where you can't even bring minor work things up with him for fear of how he'll respond.

Anyone have experience with this kind of person? How do you deal with it?

Mr. Anonymous. May I suggest you seek counseling for your alter ego?