Surviving Annoying Co-Workers

We have all worked with or continue to work with annoying co-workers and sometimes avoiding them is not easy.  

Annoying comes in many shapes, sizes and packages. For example, do you work with someone who is always complaining and super negative?  Always gossiping?  Has the answer to everything but doesn’t know much, or do much? How about a colleague who always wants attention and needs to take credit for everything? The list can go on and on.  

Here are some ways to survive your colleagues:

• It’s easy to focus in on someone’s annoying habits. Instead, try focusing on their positive contributions and strengths
• Try to avoid them to the extent possible: If you see an employee approaching your office and don’t want to engage in a conversation, stand up as if you are on your way out, or pick up the phone and pretend you are talking to someone while taking notes.  Then, on a post-it note write, “I will be awhile” and hold it up to the person.  At least you can push them off, and sometimes they may not come back
• If the individual talks about non-related work issues such as gossiping or sharing personal problems, be direct and let them know that it makes you feel uncomfortable and if they can please stop
• Let them know exactly how you want to communicate and where. For example, if a colleague has a habit of interrupting you or speaking to you where others can hear (hallway, open cubicles, lunchroom) ask to communicate via e-mail, text or privately in the conference room
• If the colleague wants to talk about actual non-urgent, work-related issues but constantly interrupts you throughout the day, then say something like this, “I would prefer not to talk during my lunch time, or morning hours when I am handling customer calls.  However, we can get together at the end of the day for 10 minutes or first thing in the morning so that I can answer your questions
• If a co-worker is continually complaining about the same subject, try one of these tactics:

1. Let them know that you are too busy with deadlines and cannot engage in a conversation (you may risk listening to them later if they don’t get the hint)
2. Change the subject to give them the message that you are not interested
3. Finally, say something like this, “I know this issue is of major concern to you as you have been talking about it for weeks. Unfortunately, I do not have solutions and cannot help. Have you considered going to Human Resources or your manager?

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Links to Good Reads on Dealing with Annoying Colleagues

How to Get Along with Super Annoying Coworkers by Melissa Anzman

Human Resource Leader, Melissa Anzman contends,  “The goal here is to stop spiraling down the annoyance drain when you have to interact with these people.” Check out the 5 suggestions she proposes on dealing with super annoying co-workers and see what sticks for you…read more

The 9 Most Annoying Coworkers (And How to Deal With Them) by Richie Frieman

Author Richie Frieman reminds us that  “just because certain colleagues make you want hit CTRL+Z on your latest conversation, doesn’t mean you can avoid them. They’re not going anywhere. And if you leave this job in hopes of having “normal” coworkers at your next, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.” Not only does he identify annoying behaviors but also provides recommendations on how to deal with them…read more

23 simple ways to deal with your annoying coworkers by JacquelynSmith

Do you need 23 more suggestions on how to deal with annoying co-workers? Check out this great Business Insider article…read more

How to Deal With the 5 Most Negative Types of Co-workers by Lea McLeod

 Using a personal experience with a negative colleague, Coach Lea McLeod offers wonderful examples of negative co-workers and provides solutions you may want try …read more