Do you work for a constant critic? Then good luck, on both getting your job completed and doing so without pulling your hair out.

According to the Workplace Bullying and Trauma Institute, this extremely negative person may be viewed as a nitpicker. Other names given this type of bully include perfectionist, whiner, complainer or constant faultfinder.

Critical bullies also are prone to lying, say researchers at the Institute, and they mask personal insecurity with public bravado.

Tactics used by constant critics include put-downs, insults and belittling comments to undermine your self-confidence. One common technique employed by this type of bully: He or she demands eye contact when speaking to you, but avoids eye contact in a disrespectful way when you speak.

Jay MacDonald is a contributing editor based in Mississippi.
Illustrations by Brandy Kesl