7 Signs You Can't Trust Your Co-worker

Wondering if you can trust one of your co-workers? Confirm or dispel your suspicions by comparing this person's behavior with the 7 signs below. You might be surprised what you find out. You can't trust a co-worker that . . .

Sign #1: Acts jealous.
A jealous co-worker often does wrong things to his peers. Why? He can't stand to be around another person more talented than him. As a result, instead of joining forces or learning from a more skilled worker, he acts out and tries to sabotage this person's career.

Sign #2: Fakes illnesses.
A big sign you can't trust a co-worker is that he fakes an illness to take advantage of special laws like FMLA (The Family Leave Act). An employee who exhibits this kind of behavior is self-centered and not considerate of the burden he puts on his peers. Don't count on him to support any new projects or office policy because he's too busy trying to get over on the system.

Sign #3: Uses illegal drugs.
This point is a no-brainer. Drug addicts - people hooked on illegal (and prescription) drugs - aren't stable. They often have erratic behavior because of their dependency on a chemical substance. You'll know if your co-worker has this kind of problem by just watching his movements (jerky), eyes (dilated) and speech patterns (slurred or super fast). You will never be able to rely on this person until he recovers from his addiction.

Sign 4: Misrepresents truth.
Is a fellow employee a liar? This flaw is a sign you can't trust this co-worker. A person who can't tell the truth will twist reality to his liking when it benefits him, even if you end up getting hurt in the process. Never depend on a liar for anything because you'll rarely be able to predict what he'll do next.

Sign 5: Takes undeserved credit.
Watch out for any co-worker who takes undeserved credit. Not only will this person use your gifts to climb up the corporate ladder, he'll forget you after he's on top. Also, a fellow employee who fits into this category often has the problem described in #4.

Sign 6: Never finishes assignments.
Know a peer who always takes on assignments, but never actually finishes them? This behavior is a sure sign you can't trust this person. A co-worker who acts in this way may be sweet as pie, but he'll always end up dropping the ball and making you look bad. When your boss asks you to partner up with another employee to do a task, be sure to overlook him.

Sign 7: Talks about not trusting you.
If you're co-worker always acts like he can't trust you - without reason - don't trust him. This kind of mentality is an indication that he's hiding something about himself. People with integrity usually give others a chance, until they have a reason to doubt.

So, what did you decide? If you see one of your co-workers exhibiting any of these 7 behaviors, watch out! This person is not going to help you build a meaningful career. He'll just be a roadblock to your success.

Also See:
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