In a dream workplace, everyone is a team player and a true professional. But in real life, we often have to deal with people who waste our time. And you have to learn how to protect your time from time-conscious colleagues.
As you can see, relationships with colleagues can be difficult for a variety of reasons. Some are incompetent and lazy, and others are bored or lack instructions. Whatever your situation, here are some tips for making the most of your time at work.
Talk to Them in Private
Talking is the first step to solving a problem. Have a face-to-face conversation with your colleague (this is important!) and tell them exactly what you don't like about them. For example, if they insist on regular meetings or phone calls, let them know that you prefer to solve problems via email, even if it's pointless.
Talk to them about the problems you are having. Make it clear that if you spend too much time in meetings, you won't have enough time to do your real work. Sometimes people don't even realize they are doing something wrong. Discuss why and what can be done to change the situation.
Don't Be Afraid to Say No
If a co-worker keeps asking you to do work for them or do all the work for them, have the confidence to tell them that you can't help them next time or even this time.
Many people have a hard time saying no because they are afraid of being seen as bad people. But the truth is that you have already tried to help this person. If you don't, it will affect your productivity and that of the entire team.
Set Boundaries
If you're not good at setting boundaries, such as constantly being stopped at your desk or constantly asking for help, it's time to set boundaries.
Unless there is an urgent request from a colleague (which is usually not the case for difficult colleagues), you can use the old tactic of giving up. Take the time to respond to every email or phone call from a difficult colleague and give them time to resolve the issue on their own. In most cases, they'll be able to manage without your help.
Last Resort
If the discussion does not resolve the problem and your colleague continues to harass you, you should contact your supervisor or HR.
You can explain how you feel, and what you think is the problem and ask them to change something. For example, you could be transferred to another department, given a mentor at work, or isolated from your co-workers so that you can work in peace. Most employees want to maintain their productivity and well-being and try to find a solution that works for everyone.