How to handle the office jerk

"You have to look at the jerk's behavior and get a handle on what's behind it," Lloyd says.

Good management involves seeing employees as individuals and getting the best out of them despite their quirks. Trust and mutual respect are key elements in building a good team — points overlooked by the overbearing, micromanaging jerk.

The tech support department, for instance, might be a haven for jerks. Your Dell, Hewlett-Packard or Apple computer has crashed, and all you want is to get it up and running so you can get back to work. Burnt offerings to Microsoft, Intel or Advanced Micro Devices don't help much. But the in-house computer guru is snide (on a good day), surly and condescending, and seems to delight in making you, the mere user, feel like a fool. This is more than a jerk's lack of social graces — this is a jerk up on his hind legs proclaiming his jerkhood to the whole world.

Slough off his bad behavior as best you can, since his actions say a lot about him and nothing about you. Ask questions and learn routine computer fixes, thank the genius-in-residence for his efforts and get back to work. If the problem persists, it's time for your manager to speak to the computer geek's manager. Someone needs to remind the IT guy that you're on the same team and his job is to ride herd on the computers — not to flog those who use them.

Public reprimands by a superior are the hallmark of a true jerk. Berating an employee in front of others is unfair and unprofessional, Lloyd says. (See: "How To Motivate Bad Employees.")

Handling the office jerk      Definition of jerk No single cause Deflating the bully Don't play the jerk's game The e-mail jerk Wit vs. sarcasm Jerks in paradise Source: Forbes.com

A reprimand will produce little more than embarrassment, defensiveness and resentment. The smart manager canned the reprimands long ago and took a more positive approach that includes support, coaching and guidance.

If your manager is a jerk, take heart: You've learned what not to do if you aspire to management. For now, it may be time to check into getting assigned to another team.

Jerk-like behavior between men and women can quickly become sexual harassment, opening the company to legal liability. A manager must stop it immediately. If you're in the middle of it, make your situation known to your manager or the personnel office. (See: "Flirting Without Disaster.")

"There is no single cause for a jerk's behavior," Lloyd says. "You've got to tailor your response to each case. Some organizations reward the abusive behavior of jerks. That's not true in the best companies, but if it's true at your company, ask yourself, Is this an environment where I can thrive?"

Always be on the lookout for your own bad behavior. If you act like a jerk, examine your heart and repent. Your co-workers will thank you.

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