Employees who complain at work make everyone uncomfortable. Unfortunately, they can also affect workplace productivity. But there are a number of tactics employers and employees can take to deal with chronic complainers and, sometimes, help them resolve the reason for their griping.

At Experience Factor, we’ve heard the gamut on how firms – or individuals – deal with such folks in the workplace. While it’s often best to just walk away from a workmate who complains, this can be challenging, particularly in today’s team-based work environments. Staying neutral is one tactic, but this can sometimes backfire because the complainer or other employees might view you as being self-righteous and not supportive.  Jon Gordon, a consultant and founder of a Florida-based training firm, recommends bonding with fellow co-workers while setting an example by not griping yourself.

According to a recent The Wall Street Journal article, research shows that individual and workplace productivity decreases when a chronic complainer is present. One Oklahoma City company, PaceButler, came up with an innovative way to motivate its workers to not complain. CEO Tom Pace offered cash rewards to employees who could refrain from complaints or gossip for at least seven days. Participants wore rubber wrist bracelets and would move them to the other wrist when they slipped as a reminder. The result? Employees were eligible to enter a monthly $500 drawing and the office was filled with “more high-fives, laughter and more production.”

Complaining is part of human nature, and healthy conflict is part of the team work process. In the end, it’s about finding a balance and setting good examples for others to follow to maintain a positive and productive work environment.

Here are “5 Tips to Fight Off Workplace Complainers”:

1. Change the subject by asking the complainer what’s going well.
2. If you’re stuck listening to a grouser, retreat mentally and imagine yourself in a peaceful setting you enjoy.
3. Ask the complainer what he or she intends to do about the problem.
4. Move your desk or workstation farther from incessant grumblers.
5. In meetings, allot a specific, limited amount of time for coworkers to air their complaints in a constructive context.

Do you see this as an issue in the workplace, and if so, what steps do you take to creatively curb the negativity?