Sarah thought it was endearing when her coworker walked into a team meeting wearing a similar high-waisted pencil skirt and dark red tank top ensemble to what she'd donned just last week. But as time passed—and their wardrobes, tech gear, and even brainstorming ideas became almost undistinguishable—the 28-year-old found her coworker's copycatting ways less adorable and more annoying.

"She was younger and new to our office," Sarah explains, "so it was easy at first to write off her behavior as simply trying to fit in." But when the younger woman took an idea Sarah had expressed in private and presented it in a meeting as her own, Sarah had enough. "That's not OK," she says, adding she stopped speaking to the coworker and alerted her boss to the situation. "Moving forward, I'll be more wary of anyone who so much as asks where I bought my iPhone case."

While imitation is supposed to be a sincere form of flattery, it can be more nefarious when it happens in the workplace. "Copycatting is not flattering when the recipient of this undue attention is feeling like their identity is being ripped off before their eyes," says Stacia Pierce, award-winning life coach. "Not only is it natural for one to feel bothered by this behavior, it can also be threatening."

But worrying whether you'll be the only one sporting a new clothing style to a company-wide meeting is hardly the worst damage a copycat can cause. "Some coworkers may take credit for ideas or exaggerate their role in a group project that you were involved in. Even worse, they might take complete credit for work you've done," says Hallie Crawford, career coach and founder of career coaching agency Hallie Crawford. "If trust between coworkers is breached, you may become guarded, ineffective, and be hesitant to put forth your best work or work with the coworker who copied you."

So if you fear there's a copycat targeting you, here's what you can do.

Consider the source.

"Copycats are usually ineffectual people in search of their own identity," says Pierce. So rather than react with anger, "try being a little sympathetic to them and kindly explain why it's important that they work on developing their own identity," she suggests. For example, if the copycat is copying your attire, "consider saying, 'I'm flattered that you admire my style and taste in accessories, but I think you should start adding more of your own uniqueness to your look. Besides, if you continue to dress and act like me, people will miss an opportunity to meet the real you and appreciate you for who you are,'" Pierce suggests.


Ask before making snap judgments.

Did your coworker really steal your idea, or did she simply have the same stroke of genius? Is it conceivable you're on the same mailing list for J.Crew's sales? "Always talk to the person copycatting your work first to make sure it wasn't a mistake and to give them a chance to make it right," says Crawford. Because these conversations can quickly turn awkward, she suggests you "write down what you want to say in advance and prep them when you sit down to talk by saying, 'I have something difficult to talk to you about.'"

Keep information to yourself.

A copycat is not the person with whom you want to share seemingly innocuous office gossip, weekend plans, or brainstorming ideas. Keep the conversation centered on the copycat's work, "and steer clear of any personal stories or information that could make them want to copy you more," says Pierce, to avoid escalating your coworker's ability to take and claim your style or work as her own.

Bring in your boss if necessary.

If you've done all you can do to work things out with the copycat and she continues to take credit for your work, it's time to "objectively voice your concern with your boss without becoming accusatory," Crawford says. "Try to approach it as a problem you have that is impacting your work negatively and focus on how to work together to find a solution. If it is a big problem, meaning the coworker is being dishonest consistently and acting unethically, consider taking it to human resources as well to report the problem." It's also smart, Pierce suggests, to keep proof of your ideas and work in case it comes into question.

Finally, remember: "You have to work with your coworkers daily, so avoid becoming angry or defensive or saying anything that will make the workplace uncomfortable," says Crawford. Always begin with a calm conversation and go from there. "In the best case," she points out, "you could use the conversation as an opportunity to mentor your coworker if they are open to it."