Dealing with negativity isn’t fun but needs be done. Here’s how:

1. Confront or Let it go? Ask yourself: Is your coworker a habitual offender? Are they just having a bad day? If so, offer support. However, if they are negative on a regular basis, even if they are unaware of it, you need to confront it.

2. Evaluate You! What’s your behavior? Do you play into this situation? Are you adding to the negativity by agreeing with them? Are you enabling their negative attitude? Are you being negative? What can you do to help?

3. Build your case. Collect ‘data’ on their attitude and performance. Look back over the past few days and write down their negative behavior and its effect on others. Solicit feedback from others to help you be objective and to show the impact of their negativity.

4. Discuss the Situation. Pull the negative person aside and tactfully let them know their behaviors and their impact. Just having that conversation can change their attitude. Let your coworker explain their actions, if they are able and willing. Allowing them to defend themselves, reduces further negativity. Suggest specific ways they can change their behavior.

5. Be Positive! The best way to counteract negativity is to BE POSITIVE! Negative attitudes are contagious but so are POSITIVE ones. If they choose to do nothing, let It go. Being negative over negativity is unproductive. So brush it off and get back to work.