What do you do about co-workers who talk to themselves?

Question

I have a co-worker, who sits right on the other side of the wall from me, who talks to herself loudly and constantly, in addition she finds that she needs to get things from the closet behind me when I am interviewing people!

To make matters worse she is the President/CEO's assistant and if I brought it up to him she would know that it was ME! Which would make things so incredibly awkward.

I need a way to deal with this before I kill her~ HELP.

I cant simply answer her, because most of the time she isnt asking questions just saying things, like yelling at her computer or herself, or just general stuff! UGHHHHH

Answer 1

i'd simply answer her questions until she asks you why you're in her business, then tell her you'll stop when she keeps her mouth shut.

Answer 2

Of course you did the right thing. We've all been in new jobs and trying to make "friends" or be friendly can be very difficult in a new job. You did exactly what I would have done and I'm sure most people. Actually, they should have taken the initiative to make a new co-worker feel a little more comfortable. However, women love water-cooler-gossip. Now that you know those two in particular made you feel uncomfortable, stand back and allow them to come to you. They will come around after you've been there awhile I'm sure. Good luck!

Answer 3

The ONLY way to deal with this is to address the problem with the woman herself. If after explaining your position - how distracting her constant loud talking is, how inappropriate it is for her to disturb an interview-in-progress, how you require a certain level of quietness to concentrate on your work and how she is generally creating a disturbance in your work environment - if after you have gently explained all of that and requested her cooperation and the situation does not improve then you would be at liberty to bring this to her boss or to the human resource department. The situation needs to be resolved to each person's satisfaction so her boss or human resources will need to take into account how both of you feel about the issue and the willingness of each of you to share the space cooperatively. Your "complaint" will be documented and if it remains unresolved i.e. if your coworker refuses to cooperate then further action, even disciplinary action may be warranted. If you can resolve this issue between the two of you, without bringing in any other people you will likely get the best outcome. If you cannot then you will be forced to go higher. Be aware that you may need to document the incidents that are occurring and all your attempts to resolve it prior to taking it further.

Answer 4

As far as the talking to herself issue, there is really not much you can do. That's a bad habit that she acquired.
In regards to the disruption during interviews, I feel what she does is extremely inappropriate.
I would definitely inform her of her actions. For all you know, this headcase doesn't even realize what she is doing. Point out to her that during interviews, it's best to not interrupt the meeting by getting items in the closet. Wait until the interview is finished.

Answer 5

You should tell the Pres/CEO...who cares if she knows it was you...maybe the CEO can find you a more suitable place to work without having to listen to your co-workers weirdness. That's the only way you're gonna resolve the situation. Even if she knows it was you at least she will be aware of how annoying she is & maybe you won't have to deal with her anymore.

Answer 6

Every time you hear her say something, say something like: "What was that you just said?" or " I'm sorry could you repeat that?" When she says, "Huh" or "What", you then say, "I'm sorry I thought you were speaking to me."

If you do this EVERY TIME she says something, she will hopefully get the picture. If not, you will just have to tell her she is disturbing you when she talks to herself out loud.

As for getting things from the closet behind you while you are interviewing someone, you say, "I'm sorry, I have an interview going on here, would you mind coming back for that later?"

Good luck.

Answer 7

I sit by people who talk to themselves all day. Honeslty, whats the big deal? Unless their cussing or being inappropriate, who cares? If your interviewing someone, tell her you are going into an interview and not to come in. Simple. Who doesnt talk to themselves sometimes? Im usually too busy WORKING to pay attention to what someone else is doing. If your 'issue' is that big, ask to move. If you get asked why you want to move, then say that its too loud where you sit. Otherwise, think you might just be being a bit picky. No one is perfect, all co workers have flaws. Talking to herself is not as bad as it can get. Atleast she's not sleeping with the entire office and getting promoted for it.

Answer 8

You know I'm probably that crazy person that talks to themself at work.

Wait a minute, don't you work with me?

haha, ok, ok. Well the best advice I can think of giving you, is simply acknowledging her. You can say, "What! I didn't quite hear you", or "Are you talking to me?", "What did you say?"

This way, you let her know she's being loud.

As for the interview part, you're on your own.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Simply ask her "are you talking to me?" Then just tell her that you can't concentrate on your work if she is constantly talking. Be polite about it. If that doesn't work then go to the CEO. Atleast then you would be able to work in peace and quiet. :)

Answer 10

I would just talk to her and tell her how you are feeling. It is very unprofessional to have people entering your office when you are interviewing people. Is she being nosy? I wouldn't ask her to stop talking to herself. Just politely ask that she does it in a more quiet manner.

Answer 11

Put a radio on your desk and turn the volume up loud enough so you can't hear her, or request your desk to be moved to another location, because you can't fully concentrate in your present location.