The chatty work colleague

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[The Beaver King]

Exactly as your username implies...

I suggest an informal 'one to one' first, where you outline that her OTT chatty nature is proving to be disruptive to the team. Highlight when it is and isn't appropriate to sit and gas, put the marker down and see how she gets one.

If she doesn't take the hint, then more 'formal' measures may be required. One day, you'll be stressed trying to get something done and she'll be chatting away, you'll snap at her and say something you later regret. Then she'll complain and you'll be the bad guy. I've seen it before.

Nip it in the bud now; informal first to give her a chance to change, then ramp it up if she doesn't get onboard.

HTH


ETA - By informal, I mean no paperwork but a 'management chat' about her behavior. Keep it semi-friendly, but imply elevated repercussions if she doesn't comply. Make sure you close out with letting her know that the matter is forgotten about as long as she changes her behavior. I'm assuming being in a small team, you'd rather not make it 'awkward'.

Edited by The Beaver King on Thursday 20th August 10:35

[audi321]

We have one of these type........total nightmare and they won't change (it's in their nature).

How about moving them to a more isolated part of the office? Putting up a visual barrier of some sorts between them and others.

[PurpleTurtle]

Everything that The Beaver King said above, but ultimately I expect you'll find that she's a mouth-breather incapable of change.

Will probably immediately follow your chat with an "everyone in my office is so boring" post on Failbook.

$64,000 question: is she sufficiently easy on the eye that you can zone out on the blabber?

[Ste1987]

Just follow the process. Asking her to try and be quiet is a reasonable request, and if worst comes to worst and she gets sacked through the process, she won't have a leg to stand on if she tries appealing

[UK345]

The girl is just trying to make an impression and naturally she might be chatty. If I was in that office environment and someone said that to me I would stop attempting to speak to them and not really bother that much with them. Being chatty is good and makes the work place a more relaxing place.

[Leicester Loyal]

Got one exactly like this at work, I just tend to ignore her.

[HTP99]

UK345 said:

The girl is just trying to make an impression and naturally she might be chatty. If I was in that office environment and someone said that to me I would stop attempting to speak to them and not really bother that much with them. Being chatty is good and makes the work place a more relaxing place.

Here is being chatty and being downright annoying; most of my co workers are chatty, we all get on, we all chat, however we know when not to and can also tell each other when we can't talk.

We have one though who talks, well shouts, non stop, to anyone who will listen, I will hear the same thing; usually about Chelsea football club or the care home problems with his mum, 5 or 6 times in a day, he can be round the corner and 25' away, I will still hear it, I've had to shout across the showroom to tell him to quieten down as I can't hear when I'm on the phone, loves to solve a problem too and he makes sure that everyone knows it; loudly Problem is he is actually a really nice and helpful guy so we just put up with it.

[soad]

Dear Not-So-Chatty Isaac Hunt,

Talk about the things you know she knows little about, or doesn't enjoy discussing?

Also, make sure she leaves with something to do for you. She'll think twice about coming back again to chitchat...

Have your office number on a speed dial on your mobile phone. If someone just won't go away, quickly dial the number.
Phone rings, they go away. Simple and nobody gets hurt.

One thing I did with a chatty sports fanatic: mix up the sports. For some reason, he never bothered me much after 2-3 such conversations.

[davepoth]

The Beaver King said:

Exactly as your username implies...

I suggest an informal 'one to one' first, where you outline that her OTT chatty nature is proving to be disruptive to the team. Highlight when it is and isn't appropriate to sit and gas, put the marker down and see how she gets one.

Agree that a "one to one" is the right thing to do in the first instance, but I don't think I'd blame it on the team in this circumstance. The team is 3 people, one of whom is being bked, and the other one isn't taking responsibility. She'll quite quickly decide it's the other one.

If you're going to do it, take the responsibility and say that you personally are not happy with it. You're her manager, so you are allowed to pull rank. I'd say you are required to pull rank in this circumstance, especially if the 3rd team member is worth the effort.

[JoeBolt]

[GlenMH]

Maybe she is a personality type that needs the noise and interaction? Could you put the radio on?

Maybe you and the other one aren't? If so, there is only going to be one outcome of this: she needs to find a noisy office to work in.

[Badabing]

Sounds like a barrel of laughs in your office.

[Gargamel]

UK345 said:

The girl is just trying to make an impression and naturally she might be chatty. If I was in that office environment and someone said that to me I would stop attempting to speak to them and not really bother that much with them. Being chatty is good and makes the work place a more relaxing place.

Can I ask, do you have much experience of working in an office, last I heard you were still looking for a job ?

[Gargamel]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Overall it is a classic situation, someone outgoing and extrovert working with two introverted types (being simplistic here)

You need to get to a place where you are able to make a joke of it, she is unaware she is telling you the trivia of her day, it is just automatic for her. You need to be able to politely call her on it, by saying "your doing it again" or Thanks for that update on the stamp situation. It doesn't have to be a big deal more of an acceptance on your part that your style is focussed and independant hers is noisy and collaborative.

Try to make her see that it is a shared, acknowledged problem that YOU also have a part in, she can't help making conversation any more than you can't help needing quiet to "get on"

That will stop her feeling uncomfortable, whilst helping you manage her better

[GlenMH]

Gargamel said:

Overall it is a classic situation, someone outgoing and extrovert working with two introverted types (being simplistic here)

You need to get to a place where you are able to make a joke of it, she is unaware she is telling you the trivia of her day, it is just automatic for her. You need to be able to politely call her on it, by saying "your doing it again" or Thanks for that update on the stamp situation. It doesn't have to be a big deal more of an acceptance on your part that your style is focussed and independant hers is noisy and collaborative.

Try to make her see that it is a shared, acknowledged problem that YOU also have a part in, she can't help making conversation any more than you can't help needing quiet to "get on"

That will stop her feeling uncomfortable, whilst helping you manage her better

Eloquently put and exactly the point I was trying to make above.

[AMD87]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Divert the calls so a mobile and you don't need to unplug the headphones that's what some people do in my work.

[jonny996]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Now if you had children you would be used to this & know how to deal with it.

[Aphex]

Badabing said:

Sounds like a barrel of laughs in your office.

Doesn't it just. Not sure what to suggest other than finding her a different role in a more lively office

[Dr Murdoch]

jonny996 said:

Now if you had children you would be used to this & know how to deal with it.