How would you deal with a coworker that is always trying to see how you do your job and is downright nosy?

Question

We are both Case Managers and she is always trying to find out who I do my job, butting her nose in giving me advice when I dont need it? Ive done everything including being rude and she still doesnt get the message!

Answer 1

Take a baseball bat to work. On the bat, write "Advice Judge" and explain to her that when she gives advice, the bat will judge if it is good or not. If the advice is unwarranted or bad, the bat will come in contact with her skull with great speed.

Answer 2

I have been in that situation before and there isn't a whole lot that can be done. Depending on management, if you say something about her they will think you are the trouble maker. Being rude didn't help, so that won't work later either. The best thing to do is ignore her as well as possible. When she comes asking questions, remember something you forgot to do, excuse yourself, get up and go to the bathroom or something. I work with people like this also. There is one lady that has worked here longer than I have and she always comes up to me to ask how to do something. I just bite my tongue and answer her. Not the best solution but sometimes it isn't too bad.

Answer 3

The fault is partly, if not mostly, your own. You talk too much ! You haven't kept your personal life separate from your work life, and that nearly always creates many problems. If you've told her things, you've told others, or as you said, she has told others. So the result is the whole grape vine knows WAY too much about your personal life. How to attempt to fix it: change your attitude IMMEDIATELY. At work you generally can't "ignore" co-workers, but you can begin to treat them (and everyone) in a businesslike, professional, civil way. If you keep doing as you have done in the past, you deserve all the gossip about yourself, because that's what people do in the office. They are bit*chy and jealous, bored or mean, the reason doesn't make any difference. If they have no fuel, they cannot power the gossip machine.

Answer 4

Sit down with her and say, "look here, Kimberly... every time you give me advice or watch me perform my job it costs me my concentration and I can't do as well. If you need some help from me, you are welcome to ask anytime. But for the most part I need to work uninterrupted. I'd appreciate it if you respect this and I will certainly allow you to do your job fully. Thanks for listening."

Answer 5

She's probably trying to find out how you do your job because she doesn't know how to do hers. All I can suggest is to report her to your supervisor. Let the powers that be know what's going on and let them deal with it.

Answer 6

Hmmmm, I would stop what I was doing, tell her, "it seems you have time to double check my work, should I speak to (your manager or superior) to see about getting you more work?" I have a grumpy persona at work and that gets my co-workers to think twice about bugging me. It doesnt always work. Good Luck, I guess you cant wear earphones or have a radio on to sing to when she bugs you?

Answer 7

She is obviously jealous of your abilities and her lack of. I wouldn't let her get to me to much. When she ask something that is none of her business, I would respond with, You want to know because? Or when she tells you something you haven't ask for, I would say when I need your help, I will let you know.

Answer 8

She gets the message, she's gunning for your job. Cue up your office # on your cell and ALWAYS get a call just as she's coming up.

Answer 9

Been there, every time she comes by, stop and start chatting it up about anything that pops into your head. Don't stop and don't give her the chance to say a word. Just rant. She'll stop coming by.

Answer 10

You need to seriously sit her down and tell her that you do not need nor do you want her advise. Tell if she keeps it up you will let H/R know that she is harassing you.