Liar, Liar: The Coworker Who Twists the Truth

Trust is the foundation of any healthy and productive workplace. When it’s broken by dishonesty, it can change the team dynamics  and success of the organization. Dealing with someone who lies consistently in the work environment is challenging and emotionally exhausting. Here are five ways to work through these situations effectively.

Recognize How The Lies Affect Team

Lies, no matter how small, have an effect. Lies can lead to mistrust, and create a toxic work environment. If left unchecked, it can change the team's morale. Depending on the lies that are being told, coworkers can begin to question each other’s credibility and the company’s standards. Understanding the potential harm caused by the lies helps understand the seriousness of the situation.

Stay Calm and Objective

When faced with an employee who lies, your initial reaction may be frustration or anger. However, responding emotionally reactive can escalate the situation. Instead, approach it calmly and with an objective mindset. This will allow you to assess the situation more rationally and openly to make better decisions about how to handle it.

Avoid jumping to conclusions immediately, sometimes what is seen as a lie can be a simple miscommunication or misunderstanding. Take time to observe their patterns of lies and gather facts before addressing the issue.

Document the Lies

Before confronting someone, who lies, ensure you have concrete examples. Documentation is essential when dealing with workplace lies.  Keep track of instances where the person has been dishonest, including dates, times, and any supporting evidence. This will give you a factual basis for the conversation and reduce the risk of your credibility when challenged.

Having documentation will also make it easier to explain the impact their lies have on the team and the workplace as a whole.

Address the Issue Privately

Once you have a clear understanding of the situation and have gathered the evidence, it’s time to confront the individual. Make sure the conversation is in private to avoid embarrassing or shaming the person in front of others. Be direct and professional, focus on the behaviors and its impact rather than attacking the person’s character. If you attack their character, they are more likely to respond defensively.

A good way to start the conversation is by: “I’ve noticed that on multiple occasions, the information you’ve provided hasn’t matched up with the reality of the situation. Can you help me understand what’s going on?”

This gives them a chance to explain or correct, but it also sets the tone that you recognize they haven’t been honest.

Know When to Let Go

In some cases, no matter how much effort you put into addressing the situation, the lying may continue. It’s important to know when to let go. If someone’s lies creates a toxic environment, it may be time to escalate the issue or consider parting ways with the individual. For coworkers, this may mean distancing yourself from the person or limiting your interactions.

Having to deal with a coworker or employee who lies isn’t easy, but it’s  necessary to maintaining a healthy work environment. By approaching the situation calmly, documenting instances of dishonesty, and addressing the issue directly, you can minimize their negative impact on the team.