Having a bad colleague at work can be one of the most difficult and draining experiences. They bring chaos, drama, and negativity to the workplace and can even ruin the morale of an entire team. The best way to deal with a bad colleague is to distance yourself from them and focus on your own work. To help you stay motivated and stay focused on the positives, here are 17 quotes about bad colleagues at work.

See more: Subscribe to The Thoughtful Leader newsletter to discover exceptional leadership insights to elevate your team's performance.

Reverse the thrusters

“Bad coworkers are like a black hole - they suck in all the good energy and leave everyone feeling empty.”

You’re gonna need asparagus

“Bad coworkers are like a flat tire - you can't move forward until you get rid of them.”

Let’s keep you off the tracks

“Bad coworkers are like a train wreck - you know it's going to be a disaster, but you can't look away.”

Cheesy but not grate

“Bad coworkers are like a bad joke - they make everyone uncomfortable and never make anyone laugh.”

They’re tall because they had a lot of stories

“Bad coworkers are like a bad story - they drag on and on and never seem to end.”

They’re making a scene

“Bad coworkers are like a bad movie - they waste your time and never seem to end.”

Pest in an office nest

“Bad coworkers are like an unwelcome houseguest - they stick around longer than you want them to.”

Take steps to avoid them

“Bad coworkers are like a broken elevator - they take you down instead of up.”

Let’s go to the doctor because I feel a little funny

“Bad coworkers are like a clown car - they take up too much space and create a lot of noise.”

Don't take them for a spin

“Bad coworkers are like an old car. You can try to fix them, but eventually you just have to get rid of them.”

Why did I get charged for this?

“Bad coworkers are like a dry cleaning bill - they'll always cost you more than you expected.”

Need a territorial survey

“Bad coworkers are like a bad neighbor - they don't respect boundaries and they always try to get too close.”

They’re going viral

“Bad coworkers are like a virus - they spread their negativity and make everyone around them sick.”

Just hang up

“Bad coworkers are like annoying phone calls. They interrupt your work and never seem to go away.”

A cut above the rest

“Bad coworkers are like a bad haircut. You can't fix it and you just have to suffer through it.”

A cold shoulder

“Bad coworkers are like a bad cold. They make you feel miserable and you can't seem to shake them off.”

A movie you can’t unsee

“Bad coworkers are like a bad movie - you just want it to be over as soon as possible.”