How do you manage an annoying co-worker?

[Anonymous]

A coworker I recently started working with has become annoying to the point where it has been interfering with my own work. She asks me way too many questions, and then proceeds to ask about my own duties in the role and starts to get worried whether I am doing the right thing. I have been at my job for more than a year now, and I very much know my role. My other coworkers have asked me how I "put up" with her because she even annoys them too with interrupting mid-sentences, asking too many questions and starts interfering with their work too.

I was going to just swap my role entirely so I do not have to deal with her anymore, I have lost my cool on several occasions because of how much unnecessary work she puts on me for no reason. If they couldn't swap my role I was going to just do only fortnight for that particular shift, because she drives me insane.

This became a small vent but I just want to know how to manage someone who cannot stop annoying you?

[HollyK21]

It goes without saying, but losing your cool means you’re keeping things bottled up, and by the time you can’t take anymore, it just bursts out in a way that you didn’t intend. To avoid this, my advice is simple — stand up for yourself.


Maybe she’s used to micromanaging or being in charge, but you know how to do your job and don’t need to be bossed around. I’m sure the concern regarding this is wanting to avoid conflict or an uncomfortable work environment, but it’s not like you have to take her head of or cause a scene. Be polite and shut her down when you can. Like if she’s telling you what to do, something like ‘I appreciate the suggestion but I fine doing this the way I already am’ or ‘Thanks but I’m more than capable of completing this on my own’.


Even asking her about her own work to suggest that she should keep her focus there and mind her own business. In any case, she’s not your boss, so don’t be afraid to draw that line and refuse to let her cross it.

[Asker]

I have tried shutting her down multiple times but she keeps persisting! I cannot stand it! Even the clients we have cannot stand her because she asks too many questions and in the clients words: "talks way too much". I have told her directly that I can handle these tasks and she should look after her own work, but still manages to intervene anyway! I literally lost my cool and was so embarassed - had to laugh it off! But man, so so tiring! I can be very firm and direct with her one last time, but if she does not listen that is it for me!

[HollyK21]

Oh wow! Well if you’ve already tried resolving it yourself to no avail, do you have someone higher up you can reach out to?

[Asker]

I can definitely talk to my manager about it. She is a very nice lady but she just gets in the way a lot of the time!

[HusamRocks]

Be straight and tell her in the face that u r annoyed of her actions and that she should mind her own business and leave u alone

[Wonderingguyy]

Just say “look I really have to focus on my work right now, I hate losing my concentration. I can talk later though”

[slatyb]

Talk to your manager. Take notes, when and what.

[Jazzy54]

Have you told any of this to your manager?