Stand up to nagging colleagues at work

With a lot of our adult lives spent working and a big part of our time every day spent at the workplace, it ideally should be a comfortable and motivating place. But sometimes that is not always the case. At times you fi nd yourself having a couple of unbearable co-workers. What makes them unbearable is that they just do not know how to, where to stop and how to conduct themselves, especially when interacting with colleagues. Here are some nagging habits at the workplace.

Critics

Some colleagues have the wrong attitude at work places, Joan Nakaye, a human resources consultant, says. These ones often criticise everyone and everything from colleagues to new innovations to their supervisers and offi ces. They never see anything positive or progressive. These kind of people only spread negative energy.

Disruptive

There are colleagues who are disruptive too. These ones just love to distract everyone they interact with. "They interrupt whatever they found you doing and often know how to show up at the wrong time," Nakaye notes.

Noisy

Making an unreasonable amount of noise in the offi ce is also another trait of a nagging colleague. This manifests with unusual bursts of excitement with the aim of getting noticed by everyone. Trying to hold a conversation and interact with as many colleagues as possible is okay, but when it becomes an obsession; it becomes up a problem.

Touch

A touch on the back, from a colleague can be encouraging, according to Isaac Lukwago, a counsellor. But like everything else, it can get a little too much and uncomfortable. "This is often the case when a workmate within a particular offi ce setting follows every conversation with a touch. In some cases this can be misinterpreted as sexual abuse," he explains.

Scent

Very strong perfumes may not smell that bad, but are a menace to those around. Not only do they become offensive but they may spark off allergic reactions among some colleagues. "On the other side, bad body odour is much worse as it spares no one the irritation and offence," Lukwago notes.

Copying, stealing

There are people who portray colleagues' ideas and projects as their own. This is another annoying trait exhibited by some selfi sh colleagues. Lukwago says: "These ones do it under the assumption that the original owner will not do anything about it, leaving many colleagues offended. These ideas could be anything from a new innovative technology solution to something as simple as suggested improvements to management."

Gossip

Gossiping is another annoying habit exhibited by some colleagues. The offi ce gossip ensure to share the little facts they know about colleagues with everyone. Sometimes they include lies to spice it up. The only result of this is clashes between colleagues.

Solutions

Like is usually the procedure, when following up on any anomaly, work place Lukwago advises evidence on nagging colleagues can be collected through video and audio recordings. One can also take photos of them misbehaving.

Usually, a colleague with annoying habits will step on the toes or in the space of a number of workmates overtime. So team up with the victim to deal with the culprit.

Talk to the person as the fi rst line of action, a simple casual chat about the problem with the trouble causer is recommended. On a personal level, you are advised not to dwell much on the anger and negative energy brought by a colleague.

One should have a more positive outlook at things that will make your life and work easier. Lukwago emphases that in cases where one is being bullied, harassed or sexually abused, it is good to confront the colleague doing it, warn them, express your anger and expectations while pursuing other means to solve these issues.

Nakaye says we need to avoid contact with this annoying colleagues as much as possible so as to remain in the right working moods. Like is the case with most challenges at the workplace, Nakaye advises those affected to involve the human resource department. "Reporting this person with evidence to back your claims will make your case solid," she adds.