Here are some tips on how to handle situations at work.

We’re not perfect, and neither is our workplace. Whether it’s a coworker with bad body odor or something more serious like an unreasonable boss, here are some tricks to help you deal with difficult work situations.

1. Your boss is a real Miranda Priestly.

old woman in white hair is irritated at work

This type of boss is the stuff of nightmares, causing anxiety and stomach problems that no amount of Tums can cure.

The most dreadful part is, making errors might be a result of working in this frustrating environment (or maybe you’re still performing perfectly, but crying hysterically each night). In any case, this dilemma can be fixed by thinking from your boss’s perspective. Of course, your boss will probably never turn satisfied, but he or she could treat you with more kindness. How?

As Dr. Noelle Nelson, psychologist and author of “Got a Bad Boss? Work that Boss to Get What You Want at Work” states, it is crucial to become an ally with your boss if you want to be successful in your job. The first step to taking this initiative is understanding what type of bad boss you have; whether they are a finger-pointer, irrationalist, evildoer, or some other unqualified leader. With this being said let’s assume you have an irate boss who yells all the time. In this case – according to Dr. Nelson – the best thing you can do is remain calm and still until the situation subsides of its own volition. “Internally, you want to go very Zen,” Nelson says. “You want to be completely calm in the eye of the storm. You can’t turn into the boss’s ally if you’re running for cover.”

Once the tornado passes, remain composed and simply say, “Let me see what I can do about that.” It can be difficult to hear the real issue when everyone is yelling, but it’s important to try and sift through the noise, according to Nelson.

2. Your coworker is like a ghost.

If you have a coworker who is constantly absent, it can be detrimental to group projects. Although this person may arrive late and leave early, it’s usually not a good idea to tattle on them to your boss, according to an article from Forbes titled “10 Tips For Dealing With a Lazy Coworker.” If you need to tell your boss about this colleague for the project to progress, try framing it in terms of accomplishing the task at hand rather than straight-up complaining.

According to Nelson, having a boss who is constantly absent can be detrimental to productivity. It’s crucial to understand that this individual likely craves alone time and hence tries to avoid managerial responsibilities. To manage such a supervisor, you need to learn how to take charge of yourself. “Get your boss’ approval for your list of tasks or goals,” says Nelson. They will agree because they would rather not have the responsibility themselves.”

3. You’re in love.

Many people fall in love with someone at their workplace, but it may not always be the best idea. According to CareerBuilder’s 2014 office romance survey, 38 percent of U.S. workers have dated a colleague before, and 16 percent admitted to doing so more than once. Although many relationships blossom in an office setting, numerous disadvantages come along with it too. It could violate your company’s policies (especially if you happen to be the supervisor), and things can get very awkward if the relationship ends on bad terms. Although there are some benefits to dating a coworker, make sure you have a plan for what to do if the relationship doesn’t work out. Also, be mindful of how much time you’re spending staring into each other’s eyes versus working.

[Related: How to Deal With an Office Romance]

Photo: Buero Monaco / Getty Images

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