Recognizing and Addressing Workplace Sabotage

Written by: Beverly Beuermann-King – info@worksmartlivesmart.com

Workplace sabotage – when someone intentionally tries to hurt a colleague’s work or reputation – is a big problem. It can take many forms – disrupting projects, spreading false information, or making mistakes on purpose. When this happens it creates mistrust and stress which makes the workplace toxic. Leaders need to know how to spot sabotage, understand its impact and take action to stop it.

My Personal Experience With Sabotage
I’ve experienced sabotage myself. I was on a board for an association where a fellow board member went out of their way to make my role difficult. They “forgot” to invite me to meetings, booked meetings without checking my availability and brought up agenda items without telling me first. Then they complained to other board members that I wasn’t prepared, didn’t understand the bylaws and wasn’t qualified for the role. These actions made my work harder and left me feeling stressed and wondering if I was capable.

What Does Sabotage Look Like?
Sabotage can be overt or covert. Here are some examples:

Leaving someone out of meetings or decisions.
Spreading lies or rumors about a colleague.
Keeping important information from someone who needs it.
Creating delays or mistakes on purpose.
Publicly questioning someone’s skills or knowledge.
If you notice these behaviours, it could mean sabotage is happening.

Mental Health Onlline Course Ad

How Sabotage Hurts People and Teams?
Sabotage doesn’t just hurt one person—it affects the whole team. Here’s how:

It Breaks Trust: When people sabotage others, it makes the team not trust each other.
It Slows Down Work: Fixing the problems caused by sabotage takes time and energy away from actual work.
It Hurts Mental Health: For the person being sabotaged it feels like they’re under attack all the time. This can lead to stress, anxiety or even depression. They might start to doubt themselves, feel isolated or lose sleep over the situation. Over time it can lead to burnout.
It Damages Team Spirit: A toxic workplace makes people feel unsafe and unmotivated. When people feel they can’t trust their colleagues they stop working together.

Why Do People Sabotage Others?
Knowing why someone might sabotage a colleague can help you stop it. Here are some reasons:

They Want Power: Some people try to look better by making others look worse.
They Feel Insecure: If someone thinks their job is at risk, they might sabotage others to protect themselves.
They Have a Grudge: Past arguments or disagreements can lead to revenge.
They Think They Won’t Get Caught: In workplaces without clear rules, people might feel like they can get away with bad behaviour.

How Leaders Can Stop Sabotage?
Leaders have a big part to play in stopping sabotage. Here are some ways to create a healthy and fair workplace:

Set Clear Rules and Values:
Talk about the team’s values, like respect and honesty.
Make rules about how team members should treat each other.
Communicate Openly:
Share information so everyone feels included and informed.
Hold regular team meetings to check in and solve problems early.
Build Trust Through Team Activities:
Plan activities that help the team get to know and trust each other.
Celebrate team wins to remind everyone that success is shared.
Create Strong Policies:
Have clear policies about harassment, discrimination, and sabotage.
Make sure employees know how to report problems and that their concerns will be taken seriously.
Hold People Accountable:
Investigate issues quickly and fairly.
Take action, like providing coaching or giving consequences, to stop bad behaviour.

What Can You Do If You Are Being Sabotaged?
If you think someone is sabotaging you here’s what you can do:

Keep a Record:
Write down what happened, when it happened, and who was involved.
Save emails, messages, or other evidence of the behaviour.
Talk to Someone You Trust:
Share your concerns with a mentor, a colleague, or a supervisor.
If the behaviour continues, report it to HR or leadership.
Speak Up:
Talk to the person privately and explain how their actions are affecting you.
Focus on solving the problem rather than placing blame.
Be realistic that they are likely to turn the conversation onto how you misread the situation.
Stay Focused on Your Work:
Do your best work. Be professional. Ask questions from others to clarify.
Know When to Move On:
If the problem doesn’t improve, think about whether a new role or workplace might be better for your mental health and career.

How to Recognize the Impact on Someone Being Sabotaged?
When someone is being sabotaged, there are often clear signs that they are struggling. Leaders and colleagues should watch for these red flags:

Changes in Mood: They might seem more stressed, anxious, or withdrawn. They may not engage in conversations the same way that they had before.
Drop in Confidence: They may start doubting themselves or avoiding tasks they used to do well.
Physical Signs of Stress: Lack of sleep, fatigue, or other health issues might become noticeable.
Isolated Behaviour: They might avoid team meetings or social events.
If you see these signs reach out and offer support. Sometimes just knowing someone cares can make a big difference.

Building a Positive Workplace
The best way to stop sabotage is to create a workplace where everyone feels respected and valued. Leaders who take the time to build trust, encourage teamwork and solve problems quickly will help their teams succeed. For individuals staying resilient and asking for help is key to overcoming challenges. It is only by working together and addressing these toxic behaviours, can we create workplaces where everyone can do their best work and feel appreciated.