annoying coworker keeps making sarcastic jibes at me

[TheCatThatDanced]

I'm currently working on a contract which is due to end soon - due to restructure in the department.

It's working with analysts/economists etc - and we had a new person start the other week.

So far he's made a comment about how much work I do and makes sarcastic little digs otherwise.

I'm leaving by the end of July but getting seriously pissed off by this man's attitude towards me.

I'm doing an EA/PA role which should really be part time but I was hired on a full time basis and also I wasn't interviewed.

Do I grit my teeth and ignore the arsehole or think of suitable comebacks for Mr Clever?

... Or supremely bored look...

Or if you're leaving... 'your opinion/sarcastic jibes matters how?'

If you’re leaving anyway just tell him to do his own PA work.

Ask him to repeat anything he says and to clarify what he means. Hopefully having to say it again and defend his 'humour' will make him realise that he's neither clever nor funny.

Don't underestimate the power of a really uncomfortable prolonged silence with eye contact and a straight face after he says one of his "little jokes", followed by "so as i was saying...." and continuing with whatever you were discussing. If you make him feel unpleasant and awkward whenever he does it, he'll stop doing it.

So far he's made a comment about how much work I do and makes sarcastic little digs otherwise.

What does he actually say?

sackrifice - he was talking the other week and asking in an indirect way e.g. saying to the room and to me "how much work do you actually do?"

then he comes in late just now as he had a half day due to looking after his sick son. I made a comment re trains being cancelled or delayed as they have been in London today and he made some sarcastic throwaway comment about 'his life being so stressful'. Can' t think another sarcastic comment but there has been one about women and working. ha ha and not very civil servant polite at all.

The work one, I've actually complained about him to my agency as he has no right to say that about me, as I do work.

He's from academia with a snobby accent and attitude and basically I definitely feel he looks down on me. I don't go on about my married life or DC though maybe I should...

Teddybear thank fuck I don't have to work for this arsehole.

Then ask him what his problem is?

Or what has anything got to do with him?

Why is his comment about his life being stressful sarcastic? If he has had to take a half day to look after his sick son maybe it feels today like it is?!

Agree him asking how much work do you actually do is very unreasonable and would deserve the hard stare or 'plenty actually'

jackstini - it's a definite 'shut up and my life is more stressful than you' vibe...

NannyOgg I'm tempted to just suck it up and absorb his nastiness.

Other gov departments I've worked in don't have these types!

how much work do you actually do?

'Who cares? I'm off in 6 weeks. Why are you so concerned?'

Depends if you want to be low-conflict and just ignore him, or wind him up.

“Didn’t your parents teach you to say nothing if you can’t say anything nice”

“What is your actual problem? You sound like a schoolboy with these sarcastic digs”

“How much work do I do? Aw hunny, don’t worry your little head about that.”

“Owewww did bobo get out of bed on the wrong side this morning? You’re all gwumpy wumoy?”

Every time he makes a comment, do a hugely exaggerated yawn. Then just carry on. ‘Yawn’ loudly enough to drown out his words.

“Oh dear. Is it erectile dysfunction?” Definitely not appropriate but I had to share as my fave retort to “time of the month, love?”

Don't make comebacks. In your shoes I would send him an email:

'Your constant comments about my workload and me being a working female are inappropriate and they are really upsetting me. Please stop or I will speak to HR and my manager.'

Or look at him and ask him who pissed in his wheaties this morning. . .

“I know, part-time work on full time wages - and you think you’re the clever one?’ flounce off

Love chunkers comment. I would definitely use that.

Update:- he was spoken to about one comment (which wasn't to do with me but to do with his workload) but apparently he was 'mortified' and didn't want to upset me at all.

I then got a conversation from him about 'what I was doing later?' - err with the DC and DH so not a lot. But I answered in very clipped tones to him.

This morning he comes in ok. Basically from his comments he seems to think his home-life (got a toddler and DW expecting another DC end of year) is oh so stressful compared to others. Well that's the way it comes off to me!

Dropped in the odd comment this morning about how DC were being pains.... they aren't... just so he knows how hard working women work.

I'm just going to ignore and give withering looks. HR are no use to me as I'm a temp and contractor. But my manager has agreed to back me up if anyone else speaks to me nastily (the others don't, they're normal) again.