How do you deal with a co-worker who talks too much about her personal life?

Question

My co-worker talks too much about her personal life with me. She constantly comes to my desk and talks about her daughter, husband, parents, etc.

I don't like to talk about my past or personal life because its painful. I also believe that work and personal life do not mix.

How do I change the subject to profesional topics without appearing too obvious? She does this with everyone and I find it boring and unprofessional.

Answer 1

Is the main problem that she interruputs you when you'e working? If so, simply say "I' cant talk now, I've got to finish this report"

If the problem is that you only want to talk about job issues, assert yourself and switch topics.
You could choose something she knows about, pick her brain. If pickings are slim, ask her a question that requires more opinion than expertise

For example "I've been meaning to ask you, does it seem that we're even busier now that the new efficiency system is in place?

If you can't bring yoursef to do that, or if the co-worker has seniority and you're cautious about being direct you could
shift topics gradually, something like this: I'm sorry about your mother-in law's botched gastric bypass surgery.Speaking of medical care, I've been meaning to ask you, which do you think is better, Cigna or Health Net?"

Answer 2

I am just wondering to myself if this is on her part a cry for help or a call for attention? Sometimes knowing someones motive is key in the way to deal with someone effectively. I would be polite and firm, expressing that your sorry things are difficult for her and that perhaps, leaving her troubles at home and focusing on work and other things would help lessen the stress. If you feel that she is wanting your attention specifically, approach a teamwork attitude with her and ask her for direction or help with what it is you do there. Good luck

Answer 3

If you can't find a way to change the subject tell her that you do not feel comfortable talking about this stuff with her and if any one else feels the way you do you and those people should all go tell her the way you guys are feeling.

Answer 4

I'd just tell her to shut up about her life. She doesn't see everyone else going around, blurting out the past 20 years of their life to anyone. Might seem rude, but it'll get it through her head that nobody wants to hear it.

Answer 5

Use all or any of those techniques. no longer purely as a results of fact she is your supervisor, yet as a results of fact i think of everybody might opt to be dealt with like this. Her movements teach me that she would not experience she is getting the honour she feels she merits. it is how she feels, no longer what's extremely going on. I had a bosses like that and owing to my previous time manners we've been given on ok and he became hell on others. a chairman desires to understand which you recognize they're the boss in numerous diverse procedures. while she talks to you, you're able to provide her your a hundred pc undivided interest. No finding around while she speaks etc. Face her and make good eye touch. Lean ever so particularly in direction of her while she speaks, displaying you have finished interest in what she is asserting. I worked in my own workplace and while my boss got here in I continually have been given up from my chair or if i became up, walked to the place the boss became and greeted him. you're able to teach there is no longer something greater considerable than the boss on the 2nd. never below any situations interrupt what the boss is asserting, in case you have any questions wait. What is going over ok in the experience that your boss has given you instructions or handed any information to you is to sum up what the boss has pronounced . purely a speedy short summation is could desire to enable the boss understand you have been listening and understand. additionally workplace or workplace politics can now and returned be a grimy enterprise. i propose never to criticize her or everyone in administration even on breaks etc. for 2 motives, whoever you're speaking approximately could purely hear some harmless words and get the incorrect thought, or there is often a snitch interior the team that wil rat human beings out to the boss to learn prefer. that may not ordinary to do while everybody else is complaining yet you could't connect in. I worked in a job for 40 years and not in any respect had any complication with bosses on a similar time as many persons did, owing to my Dad who advised me a thank you to act while i became a newborn. now and returned I used to get questions from my fellow workers approximately what they thought my particularly previous formed habit became weird and wonderful, like the status up ingredient. I used to declare, it works for me and it works for the boss, who gets the grief from the boss, me or you, and who signs and indicators my paycheck.?

Answer 6

how about not talking with her at all and/or walk away!!