How to Cope with a Clingy Co-Worker
Clingy co-workers can make work miserable, but you have to walk a fine line when figuring out how to cope with them. Unlike ex-friends or lovers, co-workers will still be around tomorrow. However, a few strategies can help rid you of your unwanted best buddy.
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Instructions
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Weigh the magnitude of the situation. Clingy co-workers, while annoying, can sometimes be tolerable. While you might feel a little nauseous when you see the co-worker in question, you must decide if it is worth creating an equally or increasingly uncomfortable work environment by discussing her behavior or ditching her completely.
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Introduce your co-worker to potential friends. Your co-worker might cling because he's new to the area or doesn't have many friends. By introducing him to new people, you can urge him in directions other than your own and cope with the attention directed at you.
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Be civil, but don't be a pushover. Sometimes clingy co-workers like the challenge when you play hard to get. By being polite, you remove the potential challenge and maintain a good reputation with your employers.
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Be honest. It might sound crazy, but sometimes coming clean about a clingy co-worker's habits can be fruitful. In a tactful way, explain that you are a bit overwhelmed by all the attention and need some extra space to be comfortable at work.
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Avoid the guilt. Not all work relationships are created equal. You have a right not to like or want to spend time with everyone. Do not let a clingy co-worker make you feel like a bad person for not enjoying the attention she showers on you.
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Set boundaries and explain them. By doing so, you are taking charge of the situation with a clingy co-worker and letting him know that certain behaviors are not acceptable and things need to change.
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