Message #73232

[officepa]

I don't believe that trying to sort out 'problems' when they crop up in offices - as they do all the time - is taking over the HR role.  Problems crop up of various natures during the working week and most, if not all, can be sorted out by the people concerned by talking and listening to each others point of view.  Usually a solution can be found.

Some people do have trouble communicating for various reasons and if a colleague who gets to know them by working alongside them understands why they tick they way they do, can actually be of help to them.   

Who knows why the lady Rose is having problems with acts as she does - possibly her reasons are only known to her or maybe they are not even that. The root of her problem may be deeper than anyone can get to. Perhaps she feels that by being picky she is gaining back some of the control/power she used to have in a previous job.  There is usually one person who acts in this way somewhere within a company but by keeping the lines of communication open by talking rather than emailing (where you cannot guage the emotion easily) positive progress may possibly be made. 

Ignoring her is not what I would do - that is too much like making this into a major issue.

I would personally keep talking to her in a professional way and if she does things you feel are mischief making, raise things as they occur with her but in a calm non accusing manner. She may then realise she is in the wrong and act accordingly from then on or maybe she will carry on as she does now and if that is the case, there is not much else you can do.

At least you have tried all you can and it is no effort really to try and build bridges.