While annoying coworkers can be found everywhere, you’ll notice them more in jobs that involve a great deal of teamwork. If you’ve ever worked on a big assignment with someone who didn’t pull their weight or felt like your contributions were going unnoticed, these guys can make even star employees feel burned out and demoralized.

Here are 10 of the most annoying coworkers (in no particular order), and how to deal with them:

1. The Know-It-All

This annoying coworker believes that everything they do is right, and his way is the best/only way. This person will brag about himself, speak over the top of others, and control/dominate meetings by making sure he is always heard first or last. He may come on extremely strong when they first meet you and repeat annoying words such as, “actually,” “honestly,” and “seriously.”

He may also have a condescending tone of voice, and always finds a way to deliver passive-aggressive messages in front of others. They love pointing out others’ mistakes and offering advice, but of course, he never makes any of his own.

The best way to divert this guy is to let them think you agree with him (even when you do not). Take notes in your meetings with him and job down ideas people bring up. Once Mr. Know-It-All turns his attention towards you, he will likely forget who said what and where the idea came from, and you can throw it right back at him.

2. The Loud Talker

This annoying coworker loves to hear himself talk — and the louder, the better. He will have no problem talking over everyone else in a room, or constantly interrupting when others are speaking. He may also be annoying at group social functions by monopolizing conversations and dominating every discussion with his loud voice and constant rambling about himself.

The best way to deal with the Loud Talker is to make eye contact, give him a smile/nod, and walk away if you must. You can also excuse yourself from the conversation — but only if you make it clear that you are not interested in talking further. Or, in the office setting, I just walk away when he’s talking to give myself a break.

3. The Stinky One

This guy does not believe in showers, using deodorant, brushing his teeth, or washing his clothes. It makes you wonder if he wears the same underwear every day too. Every time he walks past you, his body odor smell instantly makes you want to hurl. On top of that, he’s always the one to make gross noises and digs his nose. If you don’t have to work closely with him, that’s great, but if you are near him a lot, you need to ask him nicely to take care of his hygiene. Personally, this is probably the most challenging one I’ve come across.

4. The Overworked Martyr

The Overworked Martyr is too busy to complete the tasks he was assigned. If you ask him for help on a project, he will probably say “yes,” but in the end, you end up doing it yourself. On top of that, he loves to play the one-upper and brag about how he has 500 emails to go through before lunch and say, “I have so, so, so much to do, I just can’t take on another thing,” or “I am so stressed.” When you might “only” have your minor 50 emails, and you will not get the last word in before he has even more tasks to brag about. It’s best to just agree and say, “ok, then you better back to it!”

5. The Butt Kisser

This coworker will sacrifice his friendships with others to gain brownie points with the boss. He will act like your best friend one day and then go report you to your boss behind your back, just so he can look good in front of his superior. This guy will also steal your ideas and take credit for your work. The best way to deal with the Butt Kisser is to just cut your losses and do not trust him at all.

6. The Gossip Queen

This annoying coworker has no boundaries, so she will talk about you behind your back to get information for her “inside” stories. She loves to dish out dirt on everyone else in the office, and a master of office gossip, and loves nothing more than to talk about other people’s personal lives or share details of a big corporate shake-down. It may be harmless at first, but, likely, she will accidentally reveal information that’s not meant for public consumption. You do not have to take all of her dirty talks, so it’s best to just keep the path clear by keeping your distance.

7. The Pen Clicker

There are people with nervous ticks that just click their pen all day long — and especially in a quiet room, all you hear is clicking and it’s annoying as hell. It is maddening and you just want to grab that pen and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine! I’ve realized that sometimes people are oblivious to the fact that they are doing this, but other times they are doing this to be annoying. In either case, it’s best to just tell them nicely to stop annoying you with their pen clicking.

8. The Clock Watcher

This annoying coworker will keep checking the time and looking at the clock often — especially when people get up from their desks. Even if you just get up to use the bathroom or take a break, he might log the time you got up and sat back down. This annoying behavior will make you feel like they are trying to tell you how long your breaks should be and that perhaps you shouldn’t be allowed to use the bathroom or grab a coffee. You do not have to be mean or say something snarky, but it’s best to just ignore him.

9. The Unethical Boss

This boss will do whatever it takes to get ahead. He will bend the rules, work his employees to the bone, and even possibly ask them to do illegal or unethical things that break rules and laws just to get ahead. And, if anything goes wrong, this annoying boss will turn right around and blame you for what happened then find ways of punishing you for it. To deal with this bad boss, you must report him immediately to your higher boss or Human Resources. Sometimes they will not listen or believe you, but that’s a whole other problem.

10. The Needy One

This gal is always asking for favors that she thinks you just can’t say no to. You will be a pushover if you give in, and then end up resenting her for it afterwards. For example, if she asks you for a ride because her car is being worked on, but then she argues with you that you are driving the wrong route when you know you are driving the correct route.

So the next time she asks for a favor, you do not have to be rude or unhelpful, but you can certainly assert yourself and say no. If she doesn’t get the hint, just politely suggest that you would prefer to focus on work projects instead of favors.

If at least one annoying coworker has ruined your day, then we’ve got good news: You don’t have to put up with annoying people. Dealing with annoying people inside and outside of work is tough, but it is not impossible. As irritating as they can be, just remember that your annoying colleagues are probably really just insecure or unconfident.

You can deal with their annoying behavior more effectively by looking at the root of the behaviors and working out how to accept them. There are annoying people in every workplace and it is important to learn how to deal with them at work and avoid them without sounding like a jerk yourself.

But why is it so hard for us to quit these jobs that suck the life out of us? Here are 5 reasons why you are still stuck.

1. The Compensation Package is Great

Maybe you receive an amazing benefits package with free health insurance, subsidized gym memberships or massages, free meals in the company cafeteria, and days off during the week to use for traveling or chillout days. Often, your job benefits outweigh the nature of the environment you’re in.

You might also stay because you need that fat check every two weeks to pay your rent/mortgage, pay off your student loans or credit card debt, and maybe even fund a retirement account or savings goal. If you leave, your mind will continue to worry about the financial burden you’ve incurred. I have a friend that stays at her job solely for the medical benefits for her and her family.

2. You Don’t Know How To Market Yourself

You spend all day in your soul-sucking job, and it’s so easy to fall into a groove where you do the same tasks every day without thinking about how you can add value or get noticed. You might find yourself in a rut, unsure how to move up the ladder or even what your next steps should be.

The thought of looking for a new job fills you with anxiety, but it doesn’t need to. You have to accept that soul-sucking jobs might not always pay off in the end. Try writing down all the things you can do to sell yourself or your project, and start taking real steps towards making it happen.

3. You Are Used to a Familiar Routine

The routine at this job might be all you know or want to know. You are already used to what/who is good, what/who is bad, and how to deal with it. You’ve been there for what feels like forever – decades, even. This is where your money and livelihood come from; this is how you keep a roof over your head and support your family.

I know many people who let fear consume them and refuse to seek new opportunities, even within their organization. But if you never look, you will never know what different looks like. If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, try switching things up. Take on a project that pushes you to learn new skills, acquire new experiences or acquire a brand new certification. You might find another calling that you never knew existed.

4. You Are Afraid of Failure

You might be too afraid to leave your soul-sucking job because other options out there might be the same as what you currently have. The change can be scary but necessary if you want to grow. You likely feel secure where you are now and have doubts that another job would be any better.

If you stay, you run the risk of plateauing, stagnating, and getting stuck. But if you change your surroundings, you can bring out new sides to yourself that never had a chance to grow.

One of the most important lessons to learn in life is that there is no such thing as certainty. Life is uncertain, but what will happen if you don’t take action? You could leave your soul-sucking job for a new one and get fired the next day, or you could lose your current job just as easily. Either way, you will never know if you don’t try. Fearing the unknown should not be what keeps you from making needed changes to your life.

5. You Have Forgotten Who You Are on the Inside

Your job has sucked the life out of you, along with all of your time and energy, and you have forgotten your passion and purpose. You’ve slowly begun to believe that this is all you deserve and can achieve.

If you’re stuck in a soul-sucking job, it’s time to get outside your comfort zone and do something that makes you feel alive. You need a change of scenery to help bring back the real you because your draining job can make everything and everyone else seem less important or fulfilling.

In a twisted way, your job can be addicting since it might be the only thing bringing in an income or the only thing you identify with. Leaving your soul-sucking job can feel like you’re leaving your comfort zone, but that’s the only way you will ever know what it feels like to be comfortable in your own skin.

Take a moment to visualize how life would look if you could walk away from this nasty job without feeling guilty or thinking something terrible would happen. It might feel liberating, and you might even be overcome with excitement.

Try writing down all the things you can do to sell yourself or your project, and start taking real steps towards making it happen. You are more capable than you know. Determine what skills you have that will make others want to hire you.

Remember, nothing will ever change for the better if you don’t take action. Do yourself a favor, and take the initiative to begin the steps towards finding fulfilling work that will help you grow. Discover your passions and know that your job does not define you and another opportunity has your name on it, whether it’s another job or turning your side hustle into your full-time thing!