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Dear Amy,

I work in construction, and my coworker, Rick, is driving me up the wall. He’s a decent enough guy, but he constantly talks about how he could run the whole site better than our boss. He criticizes everyone’s work, complains about the tools and acts like he’s the only one who knows what he’s doing. It’s nonstop, and it’s killing the crew’s morale. I tried ignoring him, but he’s louder than a jackhammer, and the more he talks, the angrier I get. What should I do?

Sincerely, Hard Hat Headache

Dear Hard Hat Headache,

Whew. Obviously Rick thinks his hard hat is a crown. I get it. You’re out here trying to do your job and here comes Rick with a twenty minute Ted talk on how to hammer a nail. Luckily, I have a few sure-fire solutions to solve all your workplace worries.

First, start a “Rick is Right” fan club. Every time he complains, egg him on with questions like, “Rick, how would you solve world hunger?” or “Rick, what’s your secret to knowing everything?” A few rounds of this, and even Rick might get tired of himself.

Also, he can’t correct anyone, if no one will talk to him. Start a conspiracy theory. Whisper to the crew that Rick is secretly the boss’s cousin who’s there to spy on everyone. Watch as Rick suddenly becomes a construction site pariah as people quietly relocate whenever he approaches.

Lucky for Rick, he won’t even have to speak when you create “Rick’s Rules” and pin them to the site board. Write absurd instructions like, “All hammers must be swung with a 30-degree angle for maximum efficiency” and “Only Rick-approved coffee allowed.” Tell him it’s management’s new policy based on his wisdom.

Counter every complaint with a wildly exaggerated agreement. If he gripes about the power tools, demand they replace every drill with a golden hammer. If he claims he could run the place better, beg him to submit his 14-step plan to corporate.

The truth is, there are two things at play here: his need to feel like the smartest guy on site and your very reasonable desire to do your work in peace. What helps in these cases is a little bit of tactical calm. Next time he launches into another unsolicited tutorial, try something like, “Hey, I appreciate the input, but I’ve got this one covered. I’ll let you know if I need help.”

These statements help establish simple, respectful and clear boundaries.

And if it keeps happening, repeating yourself is okay.

“Thanks, but I’ve got it” can become your personal mantra. He may not get the hint right away, but over time, he might realize you’re not the audience he’s looking for.

Also, it never hurts to build quiet allies. If you’ve got other coworkers who’ve also been “Ricked” one too many times, a united front can go a long way in shifting the tone of the job site without anyone needing to get HR involved.

In the meantime, keep doing your job well and keep your sense of humor sharp. You’re not the problem here — and just because someone talks the most doesn’t mean they know the most.

You’ve got this (even if Rick thinks you don’t).

Best of bad advice,

Amy