Advice
Hello! I have been working in veterinary medicine as a vet assistant for over a year now. I really do enjoy my job and the practice that I work for. There was another vet assistant with more experience under her belt who started around the same time as me. In the beginning she offered me helpful advice and we have hung out a few times outside of work. I am someone who likes to keep my work and personal life separate so I have only really considered this an “in work friendship”. I have noticed within the past couple of months that something has switched in her. The snarky comments are constant and she tends to get snippy quick. I know she does not want to work but that doesn’t mean that she should make everyone else’s time working difficult. She always catches me off guard with the attitude and comments and I would really like to call her out respectfully myself before bringing my concerns to management. I have witnessed the same behaviors towards other coworkers, specifically newer to vet med or in situations where a learning curve is required. In such a high stress work environment I worry that when I finally decide to speak up to her that I will respond emotionally rather than with reason. Any advice on how to deal with a coworker like this? What is a respectful way to set boundaries with her while honestly making her feel stupid for her behavior?