How to deal with a Toxic Coworker

June 2, 2025

AI Summary

5 min read

How to Deal with a Toxic Coworker

A therapist submitted a story to the Office Drama 24 podcast about a case manager she works beside every day. The coworker openly hates "ugly people," has invented bizarre rules about what they can wear, and makes unsolicited personal comments—telling colleagues they need to color their hair, that their eyebrows are ugly, or that their outfit looks bad on someone with a "big ass." The therapist has been trying to defuse the situation with comebacks like "Did ugly people kill your parents?" but the behavior escalated to something far more dangerous.

The coworker's pattern of behavior

The case manager's toxicity is not subtle. She openly tells patients and colleagues they are ugly, makes salon appointments for the therapist without asking, and complained to their boss that the therapist's dress was unprofessional because it "called attention to how fat I am." The therapist notes that her own eyebrows are "pretty wild" and suspects the comments may have a racial dimension, since she is Native and the coworker is white. Two other therapists in the office believe the case manager has an eating disorder and displays deep insecurity. But the podcast host emphasizes that understanding the root cause does not excuse the behavior—and that the coworker has crossed a line from rude to dangerous.

The dangerous incident

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What you'll learn

1 (00:02) **Introduction and the Listener Submission** - The host introduces the episode's topic: a therapist's submission about dealing with a toxic coworker who hates "ugly people."
2 (02:52) **The Hair Appointment Incident** - The coworker takes it upon herself to make salon appointments for the therapist because she dislikes her natural hair color.
3 (04:04) **The "Ugly Outfit" Complaint to the Boss** - The coworker complains to their boss that the therapist's outfit is "ugly" because it doesn't look good on people with "big asses."
4 (05:46) **The "Ugly People" Dynamic and a Great Comeback** - The therapist's wild eyebrows are criticized, and she delivers a memorable comeback: "Did ugly people kill your parents?"
5 (06:48) **Escalation: The Cancer Patient and the Topical Medication** - The toxic coworker repeatedly pressures a cancer-stricken colleague to take a medication (Fernagin) despite being told it has dangerous drug interactions.
6 (08:53) **The Aftermath and the Supervisor's Inaction** - The clinical supervisor admits she "flat out didn't know what to do" after the medication incident.
7 (10:54) **The Dilemma and Call to Action** - The therapist is torn because the cancer patient doesn't want to report the incident out of pity for the toxic coworker.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Bizarre, outrageous, unbeliavable story asking how to deal with a toxic coworker.

Join us for an exciting season 2!

Questions, comments, story submissions drop us a line at:

[email protected]

Thank you,

Mary B

xoxox