Work Colleague

merrydance

Looking for some advice. Today was really hard going working in an office with just one other staff member. Trying to make conversation and just getting one word replies. So hard going. I know I am not the only one who finds her difficult, but I feel so drained by the time I get home. Should I just get on with my work in silence? Creates such a bad atmosphere.

ohreally

merrydance wrote: »

Looking for some advice. Today was really hard going working in an office with just one other staff member. Trying to make conversation and just getting one word replies. So hard going. I know I am not the only one who finds her difficult, but I feel so drained by the time I get home. Should I just get on with my work in silence? Creates such a bad atmosphere.

Perhaps this other person is content to get on with the work rather than converse.

merrydance

Maybe so, but to be honest there is not that much work to be getting on with especially on a Saturday. Even when I'm in with the boss he converses.

sangie595

merrydance wrote: »

Maybe so, but to be honest there is not that much work to be getting on with especially on a Saturday. Even when I'm in with the boss he converses.

Is there an actual requirement for you all to converse? This person, for whatever reason, is happy to get on with work without stopping to talk to you all - and you think she is being difficult? I cannot see why you are blaming her and making her "hard work". It seems that she has made it clear she doesn't want to talk - that is usually what one word answers mean. So stop pushing her into being someone she doesn't want to be - if she doesn't chat at work, that's her decision. And if you can't live with that and find it so stressful, then it's you who needs to change, not her.

mark55man

Everyone has a different style -

your colleague is probably on MSE complaining about the person at work who won't stop talking

No rights no wrongs just differences in people's personal styles

SailorSam

I'd just ignore her in future, if she want to chat she will.

merrydance

Ha Ha Mark love that. I'll just ignore her in the future - oh happy days. Not endlessly chatting, but would be nice to get more than a one work answer. Usually there are more than just her and me in the office (thank goodness). And the powers that be have never complained about my work. Well I've been here for 19 years!

Yes there is an actual requirement for us to converse, I have to pass on messages, arrange appointments and as I only work at weekends have to be brought up to speed with what has happened during the week. So yes we have to talk to ensure the weekend runs smoothly. I do not want to just gossip!

TELLIT01

Some people like to chat when they're working, other don't. No right or wrong about it. What annoys me is the ones who want to chat when it suits them but totally ignore other people when they don't.

Savvy_Sue

Can you try asking open questions? eg 'Hi Freda, please can you tell me what's happened about the [whatever] which was broken last week?' rather than 'Hi Freda, did the engineer come in and fix the [whatever] in the week?'

RedfordML

merrydance wrote: »

Looking for some advice. Today was really hard going working in an office with just one other staff member. Trying to make conversation and just getting one word replies. So hard going. I know I am not the only one who finds her difficult, but I feel so drained by the time I get home. Should I just get on with my work in silence? Creates such a bad atmosphere.

I have been in a similar position before. Shared a cramped office with a lady, who had no interest in talking, unless it was to advise me on how to do something. If the manager, who also shared the office would come in, she would 'come alive' haha.


Was horrible at the time, made things so uncomfortable. Didn't even have a radio, just long silences! I was there 12 months, I realised within 3 day I had made mistake in joining!

merrydance

Yes my colleague does the same. Puts on a show when the powers that be come in, so they think what a lovely bubbly person. Only the rest of us that have to work with her know different. I think next time I'm in with her I'll do bits and pieces outside the office area ie tidy the kitchen, so it breaks up the day.

Yes the long silences are intolerable, I've never been a clock watcher, but I am when I'm working with her.

Also she is forever looking at her phone texting etc