COPING WITH ANNOYING CO-WORKERS
Nov 17, 2009
OFFICE TALK<br><br>There are some co-workers with annoying habits — some can be defensive, rude, the know-it-all, gossip, those with strong odours, poor time-keepers, disorganised, chatty interruptions and joke crackers.
OFFICE TALK
BY AIDAH NANYONJO
There are some co-workers with annoying habits — some can be defensive, rude, the know-it-all, gossip, those with strong odours, poor time-keepers, disorganised, chatty interruptions and joke crackers.
Julius Kateega, a human resource consultant at Competitive Choices, says before you do anything, first decide if your co-workers’ annoying habits warrant confrontation.
“If the annoying behaviour is inhibiting your productivity as well as other people’s, saying something may be the best option. But do it in a non-confrontational way. Let the person know how change could affect your working relationship,†he says.
Kateega also stresses the need for good timing and confidentiality when addressing such issues. “Do not talk to the person when you are annoyed. It may become warfare.â€
It is advisable to avoid blaming your co-worker for the problem. Try to be friendly and constructive when talking to him because your co-worker will react according to your voice tone.
However, Rogers Nsereko, a psychologist at Butabika Hospital, says if you cannot confront such a person, then try changing desks or positions.
“If none of these options is possible, condition yourself not to get annoyed. Try to understand your trigger buttons, then you can find appropriate ways to handle your annoyance,†Nsereko says.
Mackenzie Dawson Parks, a business programme columnist, says the best way of approaching your colleague is by being non-confrontational.
“For instance, try something like, ‘I find it easier to stay focused at work when I am positive. I noticed that a lot of what you have been saying seems to be negative, and while I am sorry you are feeling that way, I am really busy and just do not have time to talk about it right now’,†Mackenzie writes.
Whichever method we choose, we have to learn how to co-exist.
BY AIDAH NANYONJO
There are some co-workers with annoying habits — some can be defensive, rude, the know-it-all, gossip, those with strong odours, poor time-keepers, disorganised, chatty interruptions and joke crackers.
Julius Kateega, a human resource consultant at Competitive Choices, says before you do anything, first decide if your co-workers’ annoying habits warrant confrontation.
“If the annoying behaviour is inhibiting your productivity as well as other people’s, saying something may be the best option. But do it in a non-confrontational way. Let the person know how change could affect your working relationship,†he says.
Kateega also stresses the need for good timing and confidentiality when addressing such issues. “Do not talk to the person when you are annoyed. It may become warfare.â€
It is advisable to avoid blaming your co-worker for the problem. Try to be friendly and constructive when talking to him because your co-worker will react according to your voice tone.
However, Rogers Nsereko, a psychologist at Butabika Hospital, says if you cannot confront such a person, then try changing desks or positions.
“If none of these options is possible, condition yourself not to get annoyed. Try to understand your trigger buttons, then you can find appropriate ways to handle your annoyance,†Nsereko says.
Mackenzie Dawson Parks, a business programme columnist, says the best way of approaching your colleague is by being non-confrontational.
“For instance, try something like, ‘I find it easier to stay focused at work when I am positive. I noticed that a lot of what you have been saying seems to be negative, and while I am sorry you are feeling that way, I am really busy and just do not have time to talk about it right now’,†Mackenzie writes.
Whichever method we choose, we have to learn how to co-exist.