I work with a jerk, help!

Dear Rosezilla,

I work with a class-A jerk. He dumps work on me like I'm his assistant (I'm at the same level as him), he curses all the time, he goes into my space and takes office supplies. I've tried politely talking to him about it and he always blows me off under the guise of being a "charming cad". It's a small company and my boss is indifferent. What can I do!?

Works with a Jerk

Dear Works,

I once worked with a horrible, horrible ex-alcoholic who started the day cursing at the top of his lungs and slamming doors and drawers. He physically shoved female coworkers, he used the word "nigger", he is the most despicable person I know. After a couple months of daily battle, he assaulted me and when I complained, I was asked to leave.

While most of us wouldn't move to Darfur, we somehow put up with employment at a toxic company. Just as there are bitter, war-torn, ravaged countries, so there are bitter, war-torn, ravaged companies. Common sense tells us that the market rewards well-run businesses while ill-run businesses go out of business.

A company can have rampant abuse, discrimination, terrible or lack of business strategy and constant turnover and losses and still stay in business. For years.

Of course, at least some of toxic business is illegal. If you could afford a lawyer, you probably wouldn't be in this situation in the first place.

The best case scenario for you, as it was for me, is probably to have him do something so egregious that you can at least get unemployment, if not severance. Document everything, be knowledgeable about employment law, then get the hell out of there.

Put some time into researching and recognizing abusive behavior. Since companies like this aren't going away soon (like abusive men!), the best you can do is learn to avoid them. Like the plague!