There is a partition on the other side of my office that is used for visitors to work at. There is a employee?

Question

there who has been offered office space but has chooses to stay there most of the time. He is a nice person, but it is driving me crazy. Listening to him whistle,type, just being there. He has taken over my coffee pot, and I just feel like he is in my personal space. I cant make phone calles personal or professional as it makes me nervous to talk when he is hearing everything that I am saying.
He has walked around "MY office space" a few times and grabbing things off my desk. No one in this office does that.

Should I purposely try to annoy him or what? I have been playing music this morning.

Answer 1

Wow, you have seriously uptight office! Suggest you chill out a bit, as in the real world it is normal to have to make calls within earshot of workmates, share coffee pots, air, etc.

Answer 2

Ahhhh... the annoying coworker. I think we have all had to deal with one at some point in our careers.
Trying to annoy him is not a good idea... that just brings you down to the level of "annoying coworker" too. You really don't want that stigma attached to you, do you?
Have you tried talking to him? As strange as it might seem, some people don't realize that their behavior is bothering others.
When I was seated next to an annoying coworker(whistling, singing, loud typer, frequent "visits" to my space), I started wearing headphones and keeping the music loud enough to drown him out, but not so loud that I couldn't hear the phone or other necessary things. The headphones also come in handy when the annoyer comes over to chat... I would just leave my headphones on, even if I wasn't listening to music or the news at the time, and become very engrossed in my work. Usually when he would see that I "couldn't hear him", he would just walk away and bother someone else.
If he becomes persistent, then just politely say, "I have a lot of work today that I need to get done. Can you please go so I can concentrate." (and yes, make that last question as a statement so as not to give him an option)
If none of this works then ask for your desk to be moved. Explain the situation to your supervisor and then he will either move you or force the offending party to move.
Good luck.

Answer 3

Don't purposely try to annoy him - that would actually make you worse than him as far as being a professional goes. Just kindly let him know that although you will let him borrow this or that this time, he will need to be more prepared on his own next time. Same thing with him walking around your "space" - just let him know that it distracts you from doing your work and would appreciate it if he would respect your space. Good luck, and I do hope things get better. By the way, as far as his whistling and such goes, there probably isn't much you can do about it other than take steps to ignore it and "tune" him out, (which will take practice), or if you are able to wear headphones and listen to your music, or whatever. But I think if you make a fuss over it, it will just make you look bad.

Answer 4

I feel like you should let him know exactly what you just told us. You can do it in a professional manner that won't make you look foolish. You may also want to remind him that the space he is currently working in is for guests/visitors, and let him know that he may find it more comfortable in a space of his own that has more privacy. Make it seem to him that it would be to his advantage to move. If he elects to not move, then tell him that you don't mind him borrowing things as long as they are replaced as they are your personal items. Hope things get resolved for you in a good way.

Answer 5

Let him know that you don't appreciate his using your supplies. You might also mention to your supervisor that it really makes more sense for him to be assigned a regular desk. Of course, he may still try to grab your things, but just tell him "if you must use it, use it here; don't take it away with you." Then glare at him while he uses it.

I had that problem when my desk was at a "crossroads" between the computer room and the copier. My stapler was constantly disappearing. It got so I ordered another stapler and put it by the copier, which solved the problem for awhile. Then they started grabbing my staples to refill the one at the copier. I eventually asked the manager to please be sure to supply the copy room and the computer room with everything they need.

Answer 6

I think you are so annoyed b/c it's still so new. I would be seriously annoyed too if my work privacy was taken away. But I think you'll get used to it and things will get better. You'll find ways to block him out and times when he's not at his desk so you can make your calls, either professional or personal.

I think it's pretty rude and presumptuous of him to walk around your desk area and take things that clearly don't belong to him.

Answer 7

You have two different issues.

Your person space. If you don't declare it as your personal space he is going to take advantage of it. So start saying, excuse me? when he starts to do things in your personal space that you do not like. If he doesn't get the message - put it in writing. Send it to him. Post it on your partition wall.

Being overheard. Obviously you can be overheard by visitors- so why is it a problem if he overhears you. It sounds to me like you are insecure about your ability to do your job or you are doing things you should not be doing.

Answer 8

Just enjoy your day and pretend he is not there. Make your phone calls, do your job, and get on with your coffee drinking. This guy has as much right to be there as you do even if he is annoying as Haitis'. I work in a pod garden (office full of desk deviders). It took a lot of getting used too.

You just have to cope.

Answer 9

Don't try to annoy him... that would just be rude on your part. Try talking to him and explain that when comes into your work space to borrow things that it distrupts your work and ask him nicely to get those things from his own desk. If he disregards your request, then talk to his supervisor.

Answer 10

Please don't "purposely try to annoy him" Playing games like that will only make you look bad. The best thing to do is kindly mention to him, as he is doing something, that it is disruptive to your work. If it continues, contact your human resourses person. Maybe you could get the office. :)