How to Deal with an Awful Coworker

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This article is a last resort.

Try this method when all else has failed and you’re tired of the mental acrobatics, the anxiety gymnastics, and the relationship calculus just to have a professional working relationship with a coworker who is just awful.

Try this method if you know your life would be so much easier if this coworker would quit, but they are not going to and you’re not either.

Try this method after you’ve talked to the coworker and set boundaries, talked to your manager for advice, or asked for help from your manager.

Try this method if you are totally powerless because are unable to do any of it because of your workplace’s power dynamics, your manager’s cowardice, or the coworker’s unwillingness to listen and meet your needs.

Try this method after you’ve looked at your own behavior and remedied any negative behavior patterns and resentments you hold towards this coworker.

Try this method when you are at wit’s end.

This method is a witchcraft spell known as the freezing spell and it works. It uses your intention and some artifacts related to your coworker to freeze them out. I’ve used it, my friends have used it, and our work life has greatly improved. The coworker changes their ways and essentially leaves you alone. It’s a tool in my professional toolbox and I’ll always use it when working with someone who refuses to work well with me.

The Freezing Spell for an Awful Coworker

1. Gather these supplies: a candle, a jar, salt water, a small picture of the coworker, three small pieces of paper, and a marker. You’ll also need some space in the back of your freezer.
2. Find a quiet place to conduct the spell where it’s safe to light candles and your freezer is easily accessed. I conduct spells in my kitchen.
3. Light a candle and say out loud, “I need help. I am conducting this spell because I need help.”
4. Get the jar and fill it with salt water.
5. Place the picture of your coworker in the jar. Submerge it in water.
6. On the first slip of paper write the coworker’s name and the three behaviors you want them to stop. For example, list specific behaviors like “stop gaslighting me” or “stop taking my ideas” or “they stop bullying me.”
7. Submerge that slip of paper in the water and say, “I freeze coworker’s name and these behaviors out of my life, you will not do them anymore.”
8. On the second slip of paper write the coworker’s name and the three behaviors you want to bring into your relationship. For example, imagine how you want this person to act like, “they support me by crediting my work” or “the treat me kindly” or “they show up to our 1:1s.”
9. Place that slip of paper in the water and say, “I bring these behaviors into our relationship.”
10. On the third slip of paper, write “I do not wish any harm to the coworker’s name.” Witchcraft is an exchange of energy and any spell that harms another person costs something from the spell caster. You don’t want to pay that price for harming an awful coworker.
11. Place the third slip of paper into the water.
12. Close the lid on the jar and say, “I freeze out coworkers name poor behaviors and bring in the good ones. May no harm come to them.”
13. Place the jar in the back of the freezer and say, “thank you.”
14. Blow out the candle.

When I first did this spell, the results showed up immediately. The coworker acted kindly and kept quiet, which were two of the three behaviors I requested in my spell. The spell worked in ways I didn’t ask for either. During a meeting we were both on, the Zoom froze and we had to abandon the meeting.

The spell lasted for about three months. I noticed his poor behaviors returning, so I took out the frozen jar, lit the candle, and restated the spell (without unfreezing the jar), and placed the jar back in the freezer.

If you are being sexually harassed at work or facing a protected class discrimination in the U.S, please review these resources:

• *Ending Sexual Assault and Harassment in the Workplace*
• *Filing a Charge of Discrimination*