What are things that people do in the workplace that just drive you insane? I have a coworker who clears her throat every 35 seconds and also regularly clips her fingernails at her desk. What are yours?
People who would call in sick on days when they were supposed to present or attend a very important meeting.
I get that sometimes you are sick and incapacitated. But some people developed the pattern where it was almost predictable they would not be there when the pressure might be applied or there might be some push back on what the were doing (or NOT doing.)
1. Rambling coworker who takes three times the amount of time that should be required to explain their situation and what they need.
2. Coworker who asks you the same question repeatedly and never remembers the answer.
3. Coworker who cannot read obvious body language saying that you're busy and need to wrap it up and get back to what you are doing.
In my office, all three of those are combined into one person.
Rambling personal story lady. I'm all for a little office chit-chat, but this woman's stories routinely take 30 minutes and they all suck. Complete inability to read non-verbal cues as well. I've tried everything I can to put off the "I'm not listening..." vibe without actually saying it. Looking at my phone. Responding to e-mails. Opening up files and looking at them. But I'm afraid I'm not far from having to move from non-verbal to verbal cues.
I've heard the best way to handle people like this is to not respond at all, verbally or non-verbally. Just look at them and never say, "Uh huh", "Really?", or "Oh yeah?". Just look at them silently with no reaction. Evidently, it makes the talker very uncomfortable.
For me, it is when they insist on showing how much their tan lines changed over the weekend.All the woman wanting to show me their new apparel from Vickys. If I see one more thong I will scream.