Coworker continues to suggest colleague will get fired despite having no basis for that comment: 'The first time she said it tears came to my eyes and I guess that's why she's continued to say it'

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jan 12, 2026 10:00 AM EST

Nobody deserves to be singled out in the workplace, unless it's for good. Especially by your coworker. It's one thing to not be friends with a coworker. After all, you didn't exactly choose each other. It's an entirely different thing to feel like you coworker doesn't respect you. That can be helped. There is never any reason to disrespect anyone at work, especially if they haven't done anything to you. There is always a professional, courteous way around the situation if you're willing to give it a shot. It's never right to make someone feel like they don't belong, especially in the workplace. Everyone has different backgrounds and brings something different to the table. This should be valued and understood, not dismissed and made fun of. Creating a hostile work environment is never the way. That bad karma will come right back to you and you'll regret everything. 

But what do you do when a coworker makes you feel like you don't belong? How do you respond? It's not like in a regular situation where you can just avoid them. Chances are, you have to show up every day and try to make nice. But that can take a real toll on your mental health. You want to stand up for yourself, but that's not always easy to do. You want to assert your boundaries and let your voice be heard, but there is some risk involved in that when you're trying to make a good impression among your colleagues. 

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  • Two business people talk to each other in a conference room
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • That's the situation one worker found themselves in when starting a new job. Starting a new job is precarious in any situation, but this one was made much worse by a coworker who just couldn't keep their words to themselves. They were constantly threatening something they actually had no authority to threaten, and it made everyone feel a little bit worse. The worker in this story wasn't quite sure what to do about it, so they reached out to the internet for a little support. Keep scrolling to read exactly what happened and see what commenters had to say about it.

  • Coworker keeps suggesting I'll get fired (for no apparent reason).

    So, I have a female coworker who seems friendly but engages in relational aggression. From the beginning of my employment she has said "oh but you might lose your job" without any reason. The first time she said it tears came to my eyes and I guess that's why she's continued to say it occaisionally. I think she's said it about four times in six months.
    via u/Patient_Debate3524
  • The last time she said it I had my appraisal and got past my 3-month trial. After this she was the only person not to congratulate me. Her family who work there were embarassed that she made a phone call at the time my employment was announced. The thing is, another relative of hers wanted job there and she wanted them to get the job.... Her relative has now got a job there too... So much nepotism!
    via u/Patient_Debate3524
  • Today she said it again. I didn't react this time, just carried on working. I don't know how to deal with it because she is related to management and so is the new member of staff. I am in a lose- lose situation if I say anything... She also said they have too many staff now on some days. It's not her place to say it as she isn't management. I didn't react... but I am unsure what to do. I will keep looking for something.
    via u/Patient_Debate3524

  • Commenters came in with their thoughts and opinions.

    stoplandingonmeflies Now you're past your 3 month trial you can very calmly say 'no, that won't happen' if she mentions it again. Or.... Be clever and reply to her 'why do you think that?' Make her accountable for her words to you and she might be mindful of saying it again
    via u/stoplandingonmeflies
  • OP Patient Debate3524 Yes I need to be clever and ask her why... Getting past the three month trial doesn't really give me much protection I don't think. I definitely think it could happen...and I definitely think when the other person got the job she wanted me to leave first. She is very close family with management and could possibly get me sacked if she wanted? Interestingly somewhere she used to work she said that many of her colleagues committed suicide... I have wondered if she's just very
    via u/Patient_Debate3524
  • Difficult-Low5891 She's trying to intimidate you because she's insecure. You're onto her game now, so you have the upper hand psychologically. Just grey-rock her and don't respond to her aggression. I worked with someone like that.
    via u/Difficult-Low5891
  • OP Patient Debate3524 It's nonsense isn't it! Thanks.
    via u/Patient_Debate3524
  • FRELNCER Why are you letting a stranger who happens to work in the same building as you make you cry? Don't ask questions; don't engage. Ignore.Ignore.Ignore.
    via u/FRELNCER
  • OP Patient Debate3524 I don't ask questions, just happened while passing her in the kitchen unavoidably. I didn't give her a reaction though.
    via u/Patient_Debate3524
  • Two business people discuss something in a conference room together.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • stoplandingonmeflies Yes she sounds toxic. Keep yourself to yourself and do your work. They can't sack you if you do your work. You should note a the comments down privately just in case she does get worse and you need evidence. Date and what the comment was. But that might add to anxiety, so up to you.
    via u/stoplandingonmeflies
  • OP Patient Debate3524 I have been. This was said in the kitchen in passing... the manager also said we have no decent staff but he was being sarcastic. It still hurt though because I'm not good at taking sarcasm sometimes.
    via u/Patient_Debate3524
  • shopsuey She sounds like a hater
    via u/shopsuey
  • OP Patient Debate3524 I think she is.
    via u/Patient_Debate3524
  • Southern WomenRock Just work on getting out of there. It will never be a good place to work. It's one of those "in the meantime" jobs.
    via u/SouthernWomenRock
  • OP Patient Debate3524 In a way, theres never a good place to work... the last place | worked was toxic too. I was bullied there more.
    via u/Patient_Debate3524
  • Australian1996 Same scenario happened to my husband. I told him tj walk away and don't say anything and guy stopped doing this. A month later the guy quit. Insecure losers
    via u/Australian1996
  • OP Patient Debate3524 Sounds good! Its unlikely this person will walk away as their dad owns the company.
    via u/Patient_Debate3524
  • Agreeable-Process-56 indeed. it's awfully sus if what she says is true tho... lots of others "getting fired" (maybe they actually quit) and others "committing suicide". Maybe the problem is working with her. Don't eat anything she gives you, for sure.
    via u/Agreeable-Process-56
  • OP Patient Debate3524 LOL that's funny, good point.
    via u/Patient_Debate3524
  • Sitcom_kid You're working with an immature person who could not last 5 minutes in a job that didn't have a family obligation to her. It's sad. I am a sarcastic person and I would snort-laugh at her, but I don't recommend it. Ignoring her is probably best, and if your cornered, ask her questions. Questions only. She won't have an answer. Not a good one.
    via u/Sitcom_kid
  • OP Patient Debate3524 Thats probably true...thanks.
    via u/Patient_Debate3524
  • Hour_Ad_6415 I've starred in this movie, as you. She sounds crazy. Evil. Telling you others committed suicide? Who says such a thing? Veiled threat? I'm telling you, I've been in this movie. Tell your family and friends what she's doing to you. Just in case. I know it sounds like something that'll never happen, but, trust me, I know this one. I got chills just reading your post.
    via u/Hour_Ad_6415
  • OP Patient Debate3524 She's very dramatic...and definitely insecure.
    via u/Patient_Debate3524

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terrible coworkers fired Professional At Work coworkers mean workplace losing job entitled people Mean People
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