You thought you found your ride-or-die at work, someone to roll your eyes with during meetings, vent to about your boss, and conquer the caffeine crisis together. But what if your so-called work bestie is actually sabotaging your career right under your nose?
Before you hand them another “we got this!” pep talk, watch out for these five sneaky signs that your office BFF is actually your biggest workplace frenemy.
1. They Steal Credit Faster Than Your Wi-Fi Logs In
You just pitched an idea in a meeting, and it was brilliant. Then suddenly, your work bestie repeats it louder, with a minor tweak, and everyone claps like they just split the atom. Where was this energy when YOU said it?
Red Flag Alert:
- They “accidentally” forget to mention you when presenting your work.
- They constantly say, “We did this together,” when you did 95% of the job.
- They conveniently swoop in to claim ideas but vanish when it’s time for real work.
Pro Tip: Start documenting your contributions in emails. The best way to expose a workplace snake is with receipts!
2. They Hype You Up… to Fail
“Girl, you should totally volunteer for that high-visibility project! It’s PERFECT for you!”
Except, it’s an impossible task, riddled with landmines, and they know it. While you drown in unrealistic deadlines, they’re sipping lattes and watching your career crash like a poorly executed Excel formula.
Red Flag Alert:
- They push you into projects they wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole.
- They call you “so brave” for taking on things that could end in public humiliation.
- They always have “other commitments” when you need help.
Pro Tip: Trust but verify. If an opportunity seems too good to be true, ask, “Why aren’t YOU going for it?” and watch the excuses roll in.
3. They Disappear When You Need Them the Most
When THEY need to vent, you’re their personal therapist, career coach, and cheerleader all in one. But when you need a pep talk? Suddenly, they’re “soooo busy” or hit you with a “That sucks, hope it gets better!”
Red Flag Alert:
- They love dumping their problems on you but vanish when you have a bad day.
- They never have your back when it actually counts.
- They change the subject when you bring up something important.
Pro Tip: Friendship is a two-way street, if you’re doing all the emotional labor, it’s time to set some boundaries.
4. They Secretly Love Watching You Struggle
You’re stressed, you’re exhausted, and instead of offering help, they say “OMG, you’re such a hard worker! I could NEVER do what you do!”
Translation? “I love watching you drown while I chill.”
Red Flag Alert:
- They treat your burnout like it’s an inspirational success story.
- They love making comments like, “You’re always so busy. I wish I had that drive!”
- They watch you struggle but never lift a finger to help.
Pro Tip: Real friends help. Fake ones just watch the chaos. Next time they glorify your suffering, hand them a task and see how fast they run.
5. They Lowkey Compete With You (and Pretend It’s a Joke)
“Oh wow, ANOTHER promotion? Must be nice to be the favorite!”
“You’re so lucky, everything just works out for you!”
They say it with a smile, but you can feel the dagger behind it. Your success bothers them, and they just can’t help but throw in a little jab whenever you achieve something.
Red Flag Alert:
- They downplay your achievements as luck instead of hard work.
- They throw in passive-aggressive compliments (aka backhanded insults).
- They suddenly get super competitive whenever you do well.
Pro Tip: If someone can’t genuinely celebrate your wins, they’re not your friend. You deserve people who clap for you without a hidden agenda.
So, What Now?
If you’re nodding aggressively at this list, congratulations, you have a workplace frenemy!
But don’t panic. Now that you see the signs, you can distance yourself, set boundaries, and find better allies. Work is hard enough without a backstabbing bestie!
Have you ever had a toxic work BFF? Drop your craziest story in the comments! Let’s expose these office faux friends together.