Resolving an Argument with a Toxic Coworker

It's difficult to give advice without knowing the dynamics. Are you both equals now or is she a superior of some sort? Did you make mistakes that justified the discussion?   On the assumption that you are both relative equals and the action in question was neither a mistake or justifiable of discussion my advice would be:   1) You don't have to salvage a relationship, just accept the nature has changed. You are rivals now - she may have made the decision, but now that you know - let it be. Management doesn't expect everybody to be friends.   2) I don't know how the vote works but if you were promoted you got more votes than not so you have strong allies in the office. Identify those allies and nurture those relationships.   3) Work on yourself. There are loads of tips to work on crying in the workplace - you can even google it here on reddit. Training yourself in mindfulness, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), and assertiveness all will get you far in terms of relating to your workplace in a healthy way.   4) In the meantime, your goal to take control of your interactions with this coworker. Keep most of them short, pleasant and professional. This isn't passive agressiveness but it's also not pandering to false insincerity. She needs to know you aren't avoiding her nor did she get under your skin.   In a similar situation there are 2 responses that would help you out depending on how reasonable you think the issue is. a) "You'll need to take this up with xyz who authorized the decision." b) "Thank you. I want to get this resolved but I can't right now." And you stand up, open the door, and stay there silently until she leaves.   I have done this before. She will probably say all kinds of things before she leaves, but she will leave.

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