Negative colleague

[Scenuc]

My colleague has a bad habit of complaining about the manager and team members to me. I don't say anything as I look at my screen and do my work when he is talking. This colleague has a grievance against the manager and the manager has made a counter allegation.

I find my job stressful as there is a lot of work involved and I have been covering work from a long term vacant post which was only recently filled. Today I forgot he was in the office and he was moaning. I don't want to get involved in office politics and hearing about the same incidents is getting me down. I can arrange my calendar to go in on the days he is not in. Anyone got any other tips? Negative people like him make the job worse.

Also, other colleagues have stopped speaking to him as he just moans.

Just tell him. Oi, John, I’ve got a job to do and you’re making it very hard with your constant moaning. I don’t really want to hear it so could you just….not. Or get some ear plugs to block him out.

I find 'you are sucking the little joy I have out of this day, stop it' works well

What's he going to do? Raise a grievance against you?

Time he grew the f**k up!

I'd go for avoiding where possible and keeping interactions to what's business necessary.

Also get some earplugs or noise cancelling headphones in case you come across him in the office!

I work with someone like this, I sit away from him on purpose. They suck all the joy out of a room don't they!