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susan silva
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« on: July 16, 2010, 11:54:24 pm » |
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Today's question is dedicated to the poor women who was in Redwood Shores, CA that was getting the third degree about the status of some projects while she was in the bathroom! Also to the person who was interrogating her and didn't get the hint she wanted to be left alone in the bathroom!
So, how do you handle a co-worker that distracts you from your work. (How do you nicely tell co workers, you are busy and need to work) What do you do when you are at your desk, or worse in the bathroom or at the photo copier or break room?
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peaches2160
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« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2010, 03:07:00 am » |
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I simply say let me check on that and I will get back to you when I return to my desk.
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Cathy S
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« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2010, 03:33:16 pm » |
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Similarly, I would use a 'delaying tactic' ... rules: - Be assertive - so not "I'm sorry, I'm too busy" - rather "I will need to get back to you on that in an hour"
- Be consistent - if you give in one day, expect to do so the next
- Be realistic - if it will be tomorrow before you respond say so - and having stated a timescale stick to it (even if that means going back and saying it will take longer - but you cannot keep stretching it)
If you are an EA/PA at a senior level you may well have an in built reason for every department in the organisation: Boss has me doing X for his meeting /briefing/delegation with/to your Boss/Team ... as soon as I have completed that I will get back to you on your question ... No one will want to be seen to be delaying their Boss' interaction with his/her boss? and if it happens to relate to their question they will feel that they are already high in your priority list (even if you are actually doing something else) If all else fails ... you could always buy a really large and obvious pair of headphones ... discreet earphone don't work because people have to interrupt you just to find you have them in ... |
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gee4
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« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2010, 01:02:06 pm » |
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Didn't understand your question at first Susan...I thought you meant someone was getting hassle in a bathroom store/shop/department not the ladies room as we call it.
Anyway my answer is this, I either don't engage in conversation or limit it. Simple. If I'm at the photocopier/printer, I take what I have printed and leave. I'm not one for chatting or gossiping in work so I find this quite easy.
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rose.winter1980
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« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2010, 01:56:52 pm » |
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Bathroom, "ladies room", lavatory ... whatever ... if I were being asked about work, then I would respond very much as already indicated above - that I would reply to them by such-and-such a time.
If I'm being distracted in the photocopier room or someone comes into my office and just wants to chat, I will be truthful but very polite and very kind, and say something along the lines of "I would love to speak more with you about [ABC] but right now I'm very busy doing [XYZ]". It always works a treat and said nicely no-one takes offence.
Sometimes, depending on the nature of the distraction, I will ask the colleague in question to have coffee with me or go for a walk at lunchtime.
Most people don't set out to distract others, but there are those colleagues who seem to "need" extra contact with others at work.
I think the most important thing is to behave towards other people as we would like them to behave towards us: courteously, professionally and with a kind manner.
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Alice P.
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« Reply #5 on: July 19, 2010, 05:18:40 pm » |
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This happens to me all the time! Even a block a way when I am getting my latte in the line. I carry a steno pad with me where ever I go, so just write down their request and say I will get back to them. BUT I have a time or two snapped at someone who asks me a question while in the bathroom, and have been known to make a sarcastic remark, let me just find the file in the stall or something. Work bathroom chatter is ok, but if I am busy, leave me be!!!  |
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msmarieh
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« Reply #6 on: July 19, 2010, 09:56:48 pm » |
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I also ask people to send me an email for it, as by the time I get back to my desk I might have received 3 dozen more requests!
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officepa
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« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2010, 11:19:53 am » |
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If someone catches me at an odd moment, I too ask them to email me, mainly because I know I wouldn't remember all they wanted by the time I got back to my desk!! I think the main thing is to be polite as well as assertive - be honest and say, I can't deal with your request now but email me or if you choose to, make a note and say you will get back to them. I don't think you can just listen to what they say and walk away - that would be so rude. I too usually have a notepad on me - lost count of the number of times bossie has caught me in a corridor and asked me to do something or remind him of something - alas he is one person you cannot say "send me an email"  If I was in the ladies room and answered the phone to someone (even the boss in this case  ) I would deal with it with humour. No need to get uptight - I would explain I was in the bathroom and I'll call them back. Not that I would answer the phone in there - that is the only place we run to for a bit of piece and quiet around here |
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