Q&A
"I'm Tired Of Hearing My Co-Worker's Whining"
Question:
One of my co-workers keeps stopping by my desk to gripe about her problems. I’m tired of listening to her, but I don’t want to be rude. How can I handle this?
A friendly relationship with your office-mate is one thing. But when she's treating you like her therapist, that's another. It's an infringement on your workspace and productivity for her to stop by your desk unannounced expecting to dominate your time with her problems.
There are a few ways you can tactfully discourage your colleague's chatter so you can go about your day. It could be as simple as telling her that you're on deadline and don't have time to talk. You can also try steering her away from your workspace by saying,"I was just on my way to the break room. Want to come with me?" This will politely send the message that you are not comfortable talking about personal matters at your desk. It also allows you to excuse yourself after you've had a quick cup of coffee.
If you like your co-worker as a friend but just want to keep the workplace conversations to a minimum, tell her, "I'd love the chance for both of us to catch up -- why don't we do it over lunch?"
