Every office has this person: the talkative co-worker who blabbers away about her* cat while we're trying to concentrate on work. Subtle hints aren't working, and ignoring her isn't making her go away. Directness is called for, but there are situations where that backfires, too. Politely request a moment alone and all she hears is that you hate her and you hate her cat. The last thing you need is an HR intervention as she sobs in a bathroom stall about how you're a big meanie.
Try these tactics to keep the peace while keeping the peace and quiet.
- Delay: Suggest going to lunch later to finish the conversation. This is only a recommendation if you're prepared to eventually hear about Fluffy's hairballs.
- Divert: "I'm in the middle of something, but I really want to hear this. Why don't you send this story in an e-mail?" She'll be quiet while she types, and then you can simply delete.
- Ignore: Use earphones if necessary, even if there is no music. Bop your head like you're listening to a rockin' tune, and she'll get the hint.
- Recruit Help: Send an e-mail to a friend down the hall with less on her plate. Ask if she can entertain the chatterbox for awhile. But remember, you'll owe her.
- Leave: Stand up and escort her out of your workspace, claiming a need for coffee. Chat with her in the break room for a few moments. Then, interrupt yourself (not her) and say you have to get back to work, leaving her there.
- Assign: "Since you seem to have a little free time right now, could you shoot off a dozen color copies of this document? Thanks so much." She'll start to avoid your cubicle if you make her your errand girl each time.
Things to avoid:
- Placing the word "you" in your statements, such as "You should be quiet." Instead, stick with "I" "I really can't handle distractions today."
- Try not to go to the boss about the problem unless nothing else has worked and it's severely disrupting your work. A mild annoyance can be ignored, and tattling to the boss shows her that you aren't capable of handling challenges on your own.
But above all else, be easy on her. Because remember: everyone is someone else's annoying co-worker. Even you.
*Disclaimer: At least half the time the chatterbox is a man, but in the interest of clarity I chose to use only one gender.
