My co-worker is driving me nuts.

[OceanAnnie]

It sounds like another, "Miss Information" only in an alternate universe. Something is amiss. Is there an empty desk far, far away from the madness? I'd be frantically searching for one.

 

[AshleyW]

How interesting, I have the same exact issue! Except mine is a lady, and she sits on one of those big exercise balls rather than a regular office chair. You can imagine the sound it makes...

Oh my gosh, that seriously made me laugh out loud. One of my office-mates sits on one of those balls, so now I'm going to just be WAITING for it!

My other office-mate (not the one on the ball) is a little peculiar. He's admitted that he's a hoarder. He also just does very funny, quirky little things.. like I just sneezed about 2 minutes ago, and he sent me an instant message on AIM that said "Bless you." We sit literally 3 feet away from each other. He normally just talks to me, but every once in awhile he sends other little random IM's similar to that - like "Can I borrow your scissors?"

 

[cjb1879]

I thought my coworkers were nuts, but yours takes the cake! I feel so bad for you because I know how it must feel to put up with that every day, but I'm sitting here laughing silently to myself as I read your post!

 

[Kimberly]

If anyone mentions ANY tv show they happened to watch, she will tell you she doesn't watch "that" because she only watches sci-fi and it's proven that highly intelligent people only watch sci-fi. Well, excuse us morons who watch Wipeout. Someone hand me my drool towel.

Best part of this post!

 

[PatsMom]

OP, you have succeeded in making me feel better about the singers in my office! I am so thankful that I get to work from home two or three days a week or I don't think I could stand it. One of them is young and just randomly starts singing - and not well either! I've mentioned a few times that the concert hall is down the road and it does no good. She is also full of wonderful sayings like okey dokey artichokey! Or "that's fantabulous". We also get to hear about her love life frequently (trust me, its messy!).

She has an ally - they are the only two smokers in the office and sometimes we swear that they take speed when they are outside smoking. They come in all wound up and harmonizing. I feel bad for one of my co-workers - she will e-mail me when I am not there and tell me what song they are singing. She really dreads the perky days when the music is non-stop!

 

[laracroft]

OP so sorry for what you are putting up with. I, too, have a crazy co-worker. We have all complained for years about her. She basically gets out of job duties because of her nuttiness. One time she got into it with a co-worker and started using 4 letter words. (Now I may use some here and there, but not at work) she then proceeded to walk into the lobby full of clients, take off her shoes and throw them at the walls. She is also a know it all and sometimes she will talk to you in a baby voice.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

Sounds like y'all have fun..

Although I am guilty of the "I have to pee!" thing. It is a habit I must break.

 

[bdoyledimou]

Just a note.. it's easier to get a new job when you have a job

 

[sunnyday123]

Seriously? That would stop RIGHT NOW. I would have to either be REALLY rude, or possibly threaten her well being. I'm not a big fan of having my personal space invaded (can you tell?) and I would have to make sure that came to a screeching halt.

Besides that though, I think the fact that she is getting reactions is keeping her going. I have been known to shush coworkers. Maybe if you tell the bosses that your productivity is being affected, and have a solid suggestion ( like, moving to an office, or a cube as far away as possible) you can get some resolution. Good luck, she sounds like a treat!

They won't move anyone because it costs too much. I
specifically asked to NOT sit near her because she smokes and I'm allergic to cigarette smoke. I have been very rude to her in the past, and it works for a week or so. She's not talking to me now because we had a "conflict" in our meeting, she told me to settle down, and I told her not to tell me to settle down. I had left my maturity in my desk drawer. /COLOR]

It sounds like another, "Miss Information" only in an alternate universe. Something is amiss. Is there an empty desk far, far away from the madness? I'd be frantically searching for one.

LOVED EG's Miss Information!! See above. I don't think they'll move either of us unless one of us goes postal.

Best part of this post!

Why thank you! If nothing else, this thread got me two tags!

Today she refused to notate a monthly assessment. She told our new manager "I got nothing to say." A hushed conversation took place at her desk, and she pushed her chair into the middle of the aisle and stormed out. Too soon, she came back. This is the same manger who when suggested shes "Work smarter, not harder" replied, "Oh I don't work hard."

She was pretty quiet today, except for the "Oh My GOD's" she yelled when flinging herself out of her chair when no one would answer her questions. There were 7, I counted.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I agree that this person may have some kind of breakdown in the works. Perhaps the stressful atmosphere created by the lay-offs is making her worse. It's too bad you have to deal with her behavior on a day-to-day basis. That would drive me crazy too!

 

[arminnie]

I think you need a water pistol. If they won't do anything to her for physically assaulting you, I guess they wouldn't do anything to you either if you just "shoot" her when ever she claims "Just shoot me".

FYI- if water isn't enough, you can buy a GALLON of hot sauce at Sam's for not very much.

 

[DisCopper]

1. Headphones, with the music turned up loud.

2. If she shakes your chair, politely tell her not to do it again. If she does it again, demand that she not touch you. Also tell your manager that the politeness is now gone. Behavior like that is 100% unacceptable in a work environment.

3. The sex talk is unacceptable. Most companies have a sexual harassment policy. People tend to think of sexual harassment as a man coming on to a woman. But where I work, one woman explaining sexual exploits to second woman (who doesn't want to hear it) is sexual harassment. Politely tell her (once) that you don't want to hear it. If she does it again, report her to your manager and HR: in writing. Follow your policy. Companies panic when they hear "sexual harassment," so you may get a response.

4. Demand to be moved. Your allergy to cigarette smoke is justification. They can easily switch you with someone else... they just don't want to go to the effort.

The BIG problem here is the management. It's their job to supervise, and to take care of all the employees. If she's causing such a disruption, maybe you can get a bunch of other people from the office together and have a sit-down with the boss (without her).

Finally, you said that if you ignore her, it helps for a while. I might get to the point where I never speak to her at all- even if she addresses you directly (for non-work related issues only, of course).