Let's call him "John." He joined the team about six months ago. John comes into work late. He takes lots of bathroom breaks. He chats at the coffee bar. He doesn't actually deliver work-but "collaborates" with others. He leaves early. And, did I mentioned that he's already taken at least 10 days of PTO?

I can forgive people who don't know how to achieve a task or project. I can be patient with those who haven't finished their deliverables because they had too much on their plate. But what I don't have tolerance for is outright laziness—the co-worker who simply doesn't work.

In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we're sharing a few tips from a recent Forbes magazine article where executive coach and podcaster Steve Robbins reveals how to deal with the lazy co-worker in your office.

1. Don't let them distract you. Don't spend your day focusing on the fact that your lazy co-worker is constantly checking Facebook, texting or snoring at the desk next to yours. Try to tune him or her out and focus on your work.

2. Don't get caught up in the issue of fairness. Life isn't fair. "People often say 'it's unfair that he gets away with doing nothing,' but at the end of the day, it really doesn't change anything," Robbins says. "By pointing out that it's not fair, we just make ourselves feel bad and the situation doesn't change." Instead, focus on being the best that you can be.

3. Don't let it affect your attitude. If you waste your time and energy on being angry or annoyed about your lazy colleague, your work performance may start slipping and you may be less pleasant to be around. A hostile colleague is just as bad as a lazy one.

4. Don't report it to others. This doesn't mean you shouldn't speak up, advises Robbins. "It depends on the situation and the boss. Some bosses might say, 'Thanks for letting me know. I'll investigate,' while others may tell you, 'It's not your job to worry about your co-workers' performance.' It could make you look bad. But if you go to your boss and say, 'I'm at a point where I can't go any further with this project because I'm waiting for Bill to finish his part. What can we do about this?,' it gets the point across without your seeming like a tattler."

5. Don't let others' work become your responsibility. If you're on the same team or share the same responsibilities, don't pick up the work others aren't doing. Remind them of tasks and deadlines, but don't let babysitting your lazy colleagues consume too much of your valuable time.

6. Communicate with your co-worker. Robbins says to be clear about goals and deadlines and how they are affecting these commitments. In the discussion, you might learn of a personal problem the co-worker is dealing with or another factor that's hindering their ability to contribute.

Source: Jacquelyn Smith began writing for Forbes in 2010. She now contributes to the Leadership channel, with a focus on jobs and careers.