Receptionists/secretaries: How do you deal with someone who stands at your desk and stares at your computer?

Question

When you have a customer waiting to speak to someone else and they stand at your desk and watch what you are doing on the computer................. Do you say something to them? Do you stop working? Do you turn off your computer screen or click the "show desktop" button? Is it not one of the most annoying things in the world? I don't mean that I'm playing around on Answers while they are staring at the screen, I am working in the checkbook, paying bills, receipting money, or dealing with financial reports.

Answer 1

You can politely say, "you may have a seat, (whomever they are waiting for) will be with you shortly".

Answer 2

I had this happen meany times when i worked for a law firm. i usually told them that what I was working on was "case sensitive", and politely asked them to have a seat while they waited to be seen. Ask your employer if its possible to rearrange your desk in a way that customers cant see your computer, I'm shure they'll understand.

Answer 3

My boss man used to do me like that (I moved to another state agency). I'd looked up at him and say, "Do you need something?" Or I'd click to show the desktop and he'd walk on out the door.
Mom of B & D

Answer 4

You should click show desktop, especially with the new laws about privacy, clean desk, etc. relating to company privacy.

Answer 5

!!!! It sooooooo annoying!
I would try to tilt the screen so that it would become dificult for them to see it (but this has to be done before they stare at it)
Also, I would stare at them straight in their eyes, like asking, what do you want standing here.......
if all else fails, I would look at them and ask what do you want?
how can I help you? out loud!!
and then close all windows and fold my arms like saying OK....I stopped working in order to attend to your needs....
so they know they have to hurry up before I dismiss them and go back to what I was doing...which of course would be playing around on yahoo answers

Answer 6

Yes, it is very annoying, you will have many people like that.


The best thing to do is offer them a seat, and if you have anything offered them to drink, like coffee or water.

If not, a "please excuse me, I have some work to finish here " may tell them to find somewhere else to stand...

Answer 7

merely point out it. i be attentive to with the aid of fact i became into the only that became into gazing the coworkers notebook! i did not even understand what i became into doing.... i could merely bypass over to speak and my eyes could merely wander over to the video reveal till sooner or later my coworker jokingly asked why i became into so nosey! Now I verify I ideas my enterprise!

Answer 8

try this:
Tell em "Is ther anything else i can do for you?" Clicking show deskop and standing to face em in one none threathining move.

Answer 9

i would say "please have a seat and so and so will be right with you"
and if they don't get the hint then i'd say "please step aside so that i may help other people" or "would you mind stepping aside, you're blocking my light"

Answer 10

Just say, "you may have a seat over there, please."