13 things to do when your boss is trying to fire you, 10 key things to say when offered a job over the phone. Read More: 3 Times Youll Have to Stand Up for Yourself at Work (Because No One Else Will). Imagine trying to focus on your tasks but you cant do it because a coworker is either chattering nonstop, tapping with their nails on the desk, singing under their nose, or aggressively typing on the keyboard. Whether its their messy desk or their unnecessary PDA with their significant other thats taking over, remember: Its your workspace, too. Doing so strengthens your work relationship and encourages them to keep doing better. Don't just launch into your spiel. By using our site, you agree to our. Losing your temper and saying something mean in the heat of the moment wont help. This may backfire and upset them. Finding things in common can create a more positive dynamic and potentially ease tensions between you. The next step to effectively handling an immature coworker is to schedule a meeting to discuss the behavior. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Deal-With-Annoying-Colleagues-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Deal-With-Annoying-Colleagues-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Deal-With-Annoying-Colleagues-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid65252-v4-728px-Deal-With-Annoying-Colleagues-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Is it possible we can find a solution to this problem? Heres your guide to deciding if the issue is worth bringing up (and who you should be bringing it up to): A co-worker showing you endless pictures of their labradoodle isnt worth a tough conversation, but slacking off on projects and taking credit for your work definitely is. You may be annoying someone else without even realizing it. For example, lets say your co-worker is a bit too chatty at the desks. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-sky-4-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'officetopics_com-sky-4','ezslot_26',172,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-sky-4-0'); View the situation as a challenge that helps you build resilience. Resist discussing the annoying coworker with others to maintain a positive work environment. Its easier said than done to not allow the toxicity of one person to affect your own work especially if you have to work closely with them. By Minda Zetlin, Author of 'Career Self-Care: Find Your. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'officetopics_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',181,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Sycophantic employees are those that like to take every opportunity to act obsequiously toward their manager or boss in order to win their favor. They really dont care about others and use others misfortunes as a way to move forward at work. When you're around this coworker, try to stay calm and focus on the facts. Accept that you cannot change other people's behavior. 3. Their annoying behavior is probably happening unconsciously. Either they will not register it as something out of the ordinary or will get offended and this might spark an argument. Read More: 3 Phrases Thatll Stop a Conversation Hog From Talking (and Talking and Talking). Its easy to lose motivation when a toxic coworker undermines your abilities and believes their role and contributions are more valuable than everyone elses. If you find yourself irrationally angry at something a coworker is doing, that is not the time to confront her. You should always confront the person first, in a gentle and kind way, and propose a solution. 2. So, before you chat with them, get really clear on what exactly theyre doing thats driving you nuts. Remember that the person on the other side has feelings. Tip: Make sure that the joke isn't at their expense. One method that you can implement is to take a break every time the coworker you cant stand does something that irritates you. Nov. 30, 2020, at 6:24 p.m. 10 Kinds of Annoying Co-Workers More Work is stressful enough without dealing with personalities that drive you crazy. Understanding what irks you about them can help you get closer to finding a solution on how to deal with frustrating coworkers and stay unbothered by their irritating behavior. By keeping things strictly professional, you can prevent personal issues from escalating and maintain a healthier work environment. Try asking them for their thoughts on this first, before building on their suggestions. [1] Be prepared to provide specific examples of incidents, Incorporate social activities you can look forward to after work, Empathize and redirect them to focus on whats working or to speak with their manager, Refuse to participate by excusing yourself from the conversation when they start gossiping, Focus on positive gossip that celebrates others instead of participating in negative gossip that hurts morale, Communicate your boundaries letting them know you dont like to talk about office politics, Surround yourself with people who would rather share knowledge than spread gossip, Use key phrases such as this sounds like a rumor and I dont want to hear it, Id rather engage in conversations that are positive and uplifting or countering with is that a fact or gossip?, Responding with sarcasm or disguised insults, Rejecting feedback and others perspectives, Keep a running document of your achievements and wins, Copy and paste recognitions from emails, client/manager reviews and Slack comments into the running document, Reference the document for a motivation boost. If your co-worker is making it difficult for you to feel comfortable at work, it may be time to confront the situation. Follow asked Jul 22, 2013 at 18:22 Bleeding Fingers 302 2 3 16 4 I disagree that this is a dupe of a "loud coworker" issue. Is your coworker always coming late for work, taking extra long breaks, procrastinating, and never meeting deadlines? If you are having a conflict or misunderstanding, your first step of action should be a calm, one-on-one discussion. Whatever your colleagues are doing to frustrate you, its important to stay calm and be polite, so you dont make the problem worse. So before I said okay, heres what Ill do differently in the future, and heres how Id like to get input from you, it paid dividends for me to ask: what can I do to introduce more of the subtlety youre missing?. Interrupting your colleagues. Follow these 12 steps to handle a difficult co-worker: 1. Read More: 4 Telltale Signs the Question Youre About to Ask Is Rude. For example, you can say that they are distracting you from your tasks and you are concerned about the success of the project you are working on. 2. At the end of the day, you should never take anything your coworker does personally and allow it to affect your well-being. Dealing with drama in the workplace can be draining. While this might not be the best solution as it wont change anything if you learn how to not let coworkers bother you, at least you will be able to save yourself a lot of nerves. Thats a lot more likely to happen if you do it in a condescending or rude way. Whatever their annoying habits, these co-workers obviously arent all that self-aware. Sensible co-workers will make an effort to fix the problem if its not a big deal to them. Using humor can help facilitate the conversation by breaking the ice and taking away the awkwardness and seriousness of things. Context makes things easier to remember. How to tell a coworker they are annoying. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Deal-With-Annoying-Colleagues-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Deal-With-Annoying-Colleagues-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Deal-With-Annoying-Colleagues-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/aid65252-v4-728px-Deal-With-Annoying-Colleagues-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You can take matters into your own hands and start problem solving. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If youre trapped in a cubicle together and theres nowhere else you can work, you can definitely bring it up. ", For instance, say you are complaining that your coworker tends to talk very loudly outside your office, making it difficult to concentrate. Clinical Psychologist. Read More: 3 Things Your Chatterbox Co-worker Wants to Say to You, But Wont. You can also appeal to their logical side. Another warning sign a colleague is toxic is if they refuse to share knowledge with you that prevents you from being able to do your job. This approach helps you communicate effectively and reduces the chances of making the situation worse. Block off a space, such as a conference room, that employees can use to work on projects to avoid distractions. 3. If its something you know they could solve with something as simple as deodorant or the volume button on their phone, its OK to ask (but, in the case of body odor, speak to HR and see if theyll handle it). Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love. A straightforward way to learn more about someone is to ask them about themselves. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Give the person something to work with when delivering whatever feedback you have. Sharing your experiences with others can provide valuable insights and create a support network for dealing with challenging relationships. The feature would end up getting pushed to production anyway. Think of dealing with irritating coworkers as an opportunity to work on your interpersonal skills. Learn to voice your thoughts. In my case, I said: I noticed that in the last presentation, you rewrote the headings on fourteen of the twenty slides. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The Talker This is probably the most popular type of annoying co-worker there is. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}. I felt I had to say something. Change doesnt happen overnightif that chronic interrupter only jumped in once or twice in your latest meeting as opposed to every time, thats a step in the right direction. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-square-3-0-asloaded{max-width:320px!important;max-height:50px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'officetopics_com-square-3','ezslot_35',174,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-square-3-0');@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-square-3-0_1-asloaded{max-width:320px!important;max-height:50px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'officetopics_com-square-3','ezslot_36',174,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-square-3-0_1');.square-3-multi-174{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Theyre looking for an audience that will constantly listen to their problems. In my case, it became clear that my managers goal had been to add what he called more nuance to my rather black-and-white messages. Look, this isnt always easy. May 10, 2022 by hrhouse There are many ways to tell a coworker they are annoying. One of my recent experiences highlights just how difficult such a situation can be. By staying constructive and forward-thinking, you can help create a more positive and collaborative atmosphere. This article was co-authored by Julia Yacoob, PhD. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. First, you need to figure out how to live with the problem if you can. How to Deal With Loud, Disruptive Coworkers - 11 Tips 1. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Just like the "true facts," your feelings aren't disputable, and describing them explains why you're raising the issue. 1. If it sounds obvious, that's because it is - but surprisingly few people try just speaking up and letting a talkative co-worker know that now is a bad time.. There are the ones who don't seem to pull their weight. And time and again over the years, Ive seen this feedback technique provide a secure path through even the most challenging conversationsin one case, when a CEO needed to stop his Chairman from undermining his decisions; in another, when a high-ranking executive in the Middle East needed to call out dysfunctional behavior in her patriarchal boss. Toxic coworkers not only make work dreadful and unpleasant, but they harm the productivity and morale of everyone around them. So chanting Im fine repeatedly is unlikely to get us back onto an even keel. Yasir Nawaz, digital content producer at Pure VPN, said, toxic colleagues drain your energy and are a constant source of demotivation at work. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. I'm sorry to bother you about this problem, but your music being so loud really distracts me from my work. This approach helps you convey your message effectively while maintaining respect for both yourself and your coworker. By acknowledging this, you can maintain perspective and better understand your coworker's behavior. John was noisy and inconsiderate, often blasting music at his desk or talking loudly on excessive personal calls. If you try to give them a dose of their own medicine, they might not take the hint. This arrogance made it almost impossible for others to provide constructive feedback, as he was unwilling to accept any criticism. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Can you remember what you wore last Thursday? After all, it is never pleasant to find out that you are the subject of office gossip and your coworkers have been discussing you behind your back. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-small-square-1-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'officetopics_com-small-square-1','ezslot_31',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-small-square-1-0'); If you are wondering how to get an annoying coworker to leave you alone, some physical distance will surely get your point across. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Eventually, I set a boundary with her where I started documenting every incident before confronting her. If it's still an issue, maybe look into getting some noise-canceling headphones or see if there's an option to move to a quieter area in the office. The idea is to understand what lies behind their behavior, to give you a better idea of how to solve the problem. However, learning to name your emotions can be a game-changer. Could everyone please pay attention to the amount of noise you're creating?". There are the ones who dont seem to pull their weight. Without pausing to think about my intention for the conversation, my unspoken goal would have been: make [damn] sure he realizes hes driving me nuts! That would have kept my brain firmly in fight mode. If you're feeling annoyed or angry, try to keep your cool. However, gossipers can be quite repulsive in their habit of spreading rumors. [13] Conduct the conversation in private, keep your emotions and tone of voice calm, and only discuss facts rather than opinions or feelings. For me, that meant not saying things like Your edits suck or Youre not giving me enough space. These statements are debatable, because the other person can say Thats not true. And because theyre so broadly critical, theyre more likely to put your colleagues brain on the defensivemeaning they wont be at their most expansive and generous as they respond. This article has been viewed 116,996 times. Chances are, your coworker is being bossy because they want everyone to put their best foot forward. Look for the good in them but be clear about what you need. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Basically, we're having a conflict over how much noise should be allowed in the main parts of the office. That wont solve anything. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Deal-With-Annoying-Colleagues-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Deal-With-Annoying-Colleagues-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Deal-With-Annoying-Colleagues-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid65252-v4-728px-Deal-With-Annoying-Colleagues-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. After all, they are there to help make the work environment more productive and ensure all employees feel okay in the office. Rather, relate it to work. Then, I worked around her to find the information I needed and limited my interactions with her altogether. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-leader-4-0-asloaded{max-width:320px!important;max-height:50px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'officetopics_com-leader-4','ezslot_12',191,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-leader-4-0');@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-leader-4-0_1-asloaded{max-width:320px!important;max-height:50px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'officetopics_com-leader-4','ezslot_13',191,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-officetopics_com-leader-4-0_1');.leader-4-multi-191{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. This can provide you with quality time to meet new people and let your coworkers know you're interested in building relationships with them. Oh, that can be really distracting, right? What company benefits are most important to you? Probably not. Use headphones or rearrange your workspace to create distance from the annoying coworker. Remember that everyone has flaws and strengths. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.