How to cope with envious coworkers?

[seemedancing]

A colleague is so snappy with me especially if I say I'm going on holiday etc. she has a lot going on and I try and be mindful but whenever she has something going on, she doesn't hesitate telling the world and rubbing it in everyone's faces.

How should I cope with someone like this?

Withdraw and be careful what you tell her. You may not ever change her, so your power lies in flexing yourself....

Why engage with her?

Just don't tell her anything. I had a co-worker like this. If I mentioned a holiday I was planning she'd say things like "oh it must be sooo nice, to have time to go swanning off on holiday!" It's easier to just not talk to her about anything except beige topics. The weather. The traffic. What you had for tea.

They are colleagues not friends, don't discuss holidays or leisure time if you know it's an issue. I know plenty of us do chat about private lives but it's perfectly ok to not want to hear such things

Yeah just don’t update her. Discuss with other colleagues. If she asks you directly “Are you going anywhere on holiday this year?” either be non-committal “Not sure yet…” or tell her the truth simply and whatever she answers ignore it and change the subject. Or if she’s snarky and rude in response just wander off or completely ignore her.

Is it because she will be picking up your work and dreading the increased duties?
Did you take up a role she wanted which now enables you to holiday more or to nicer places?

No she won't be picking up my duties. My role is easier than hers but she could easily apply for a higher job than mine but she won't for whatever reason. She has heaps more experience but maybe half of my confidence.

Just don’t. I’ve worked with people like this, at its best it was spiteful and mean spirited, at its worst it was constant horrible fake reports about me because the woman was such a jealous insecure arse. Look up grey rock. Just be pleasant but boring, it works.