Workplace jerks don’t necessarily walk around screaming or throwing tantrums (though no doubt there are a few that do).
However, even if they don’t make overt scenes, they eat away at everyone’s morale in more subtle ways that spread frustration across the office. These are some of the most common behaviours that inevitably make colleagues miserable, even if they never raise their voice.
1. Taking credit for other people’s work
Few things damage trust faster than someone swooping in to claim ownership of ideas or projects they barely touched. It leaves the real contributors feeling invisible and undervalued, while fuelling resentment that lingers long after the moment passes.
Workplaces thrive when credit is shared fairly. Recognising the actual contributors not only motivates them but builds a culture where people feel safe putting in effort without fear of being sidelined.
2. Never owning up to their mistakes
Jerks often refuse to acknowledge when they are wrong. Instead of owning their errors, they deflect blame or pretend nothing happened. It leaves colleagues cleaning up the mess while the real cause of the problem goes unaddressed.
Admitting mistakes shows accountability and maturity. When people accept responsibility, problems get solved more quickly, and the team feels respected rather than exploited by someone who dodges blame.
3. Interrupting constantly
Cutting people off in meetings or dismissing contributions mid-sentence sends a clear message that other voices don’t matter. It discourages quieter colleagues from speaking up, which means valuable perspectives never make it to the table.
Respectful workplaces give space for everyone to finish their thoughts. Letting conversations flow without constant interruptions creates a more inclusive and balanced environment where ideas can actually be heard.
4. Hoarding information that other people would find useful/need to know
Some colleagues withhold key details to maintain control. By drip-feeding information, they keep everyone dependent on them and limit overall progress. Their behaviour wastes time, creates bottlenecks, and leaves people frustrated at being kept in the dark.
Healthy teams share knowledge freely. When information flows openly, work becomes smoother, and people feel like teammates rather than pawns in someone else’s power play.
5. Using sarcasm to undermine people
On the surface, sarcasm might sound harmless, but when used constantly it destroys confidence. Workplace jerks rely on it to belittle colleagues under the guise of humour, making digs that sting while avoiding accountability for being unkind.
A respectful environment values encouragement over mockery. Genuine humour lightens the load, but sarcasm at someone else’s expense only makes the office feel hostile and unsafe.
6. Playing favourites
When one person consistently gets better treatment, other people notice. Jerks fuel resentment by promoting their favourites while ignoring or sidelining the rest. Unsurprisingly, it creates divisions that spread mistrust and make collaboration harder for the entire team.
Fairness keeps morale intact. Recognising effort across the board stops bitterness from growing and ensures people feel valued for their contributions rather than their relationships with the right person.
7. Creating unnecessary drama
Some colleagues stir conflict where none is needed. They gossip, exaggerate problems, or fan minor disagreements into full-scale office tension. The constant drama distracts from real work and keeps everyone on edge.
Teams work best when energy goes into solutions instead of arguments. Steering clear of unnecessary conflict leaves more space for creativity, problem-solving, and trust to grow.
8. Undermining in subtle ways
Instead of open hostility, workplace jerks tend to chip away at people through subtle digs. They question decisions publicly, cast doubt on expertise, or roll their eyes when other people speak. These small actions accumulate into an atmosphere of disrespect.
Supportive colleagues find ways to disagree constructively. Honest discussions can happen without cutting anyone down, and when respect is present, even criticism feels useful rather than damaging.
9. Passing off workloads unfairly
Dumping tasks on other people without acknowledgement is another common tactic. Jerks tend to sneakily push their responsibilities onto colleagues who are already stretched, creating burnout and resentment while they protect their own time and energy.
Teams function better when workloads are balanced. Sharing responsibility fairly makes colleagues feel like equals, rather than being exploited by someone who refuses to pull their weight.
10. Ignoring people’s boundaries
Some people refuse to respect boundaries around time, privacy, or workload. They send late-night emails, hover unnecessarily, or demand instant responses. That disregard leaves colleagues drained and pressured, as if personal space doesn’t matter.
Respecting boundaries keeps workplaces sustainable. It shows recognition that people have lives, limits, and a need for balance. Without it, frustration quickly builds and morale sinks.
11. Withholding praise deliberately
Jerks rarely acknowledge good work, even when it is obvious. Their silence feels intentional, a way to keep other people from feeling valued. The lack of recognition saps motivation and makes colleagues feel like effort is pointless.
Genuine praise costs nothing, but creates loyalty and energy. By celebrating achievements, workplaces feel motivating rather than draining, and teams are more willing to give their best.
12. Talking over quieter voices
Toxic behaviour doesn’t always come in the form of aggression. Sometimes it’s simply about ignoring quieter colleagues. Jerks dominate conversations, leaving little room for introverted voices or alternative perspectives, which reduces diversity of thought within the workplace.
Making space for all voices creates stronger outcomes. When quieter colleagues are heard, solutions are more creative and the team dynamic feels fairer and more respectful.
13. Acting superior
A subtle but draining behaviour is constant one-upmanship. Jerks make everyone around them feel small (or at least try to) by flaunting knowledge, dismissing ideas, or talking down. Their superiority complex discourages teamwork and builds resentment among those who just want to work together.
Confidence without arrogance builds stronger teams. Recognising that expertise is valuable but not exclusive makes the workplace more collaborative and less suffocating.
14. Making kindness conditional
Workplace jerks sometimes offer help or friendliness only when it benefits them. Their support is selective, leaving everyone around them feeling manipulated. Because they see everything as transactional, it makes colleagues wary and unsettled, as trust never feels secure.
Real kindness is consistent. When people treat each other with respect regardless of what they gain, the workplace becomes a space where trust and cooperation flourish rather than crumble.
