Sharing A Workplace With Someone You Loathe?

Common Sense Career Advice

I think you’ll find this article by Amanda Pavis to be of real interest and helpful, unless you are one of the fortunate few who has never had to work with anyone you found to be obnoxious. She writes:


The office environment should be one where personalities are laid to one side, where people come in and leave their problems at the door and where colleagues and co-workers all get along great. But alas it does not work like that, they are hotbeds of gossip, office politics, people not getting on, body odours, bullying and sometimes, all out hostilities. So what can you do if you find a great job, but you are effectively sharing a desk with someone you despise and whom you just cannot get along with?

Remember that this is only work. Do not blame yourself for this and do not blame the other person: sometimes things just don’t work out and people do not get along. But that doesn’t make you a bad person, but also it may not make the other person automatically bad. You may simply not be compatible.

The first thing that you should do is to have a quiet word with your manager. Attempt to do this subtly and without being too disrespectful of your colleague. Don’t say things like, ‘You will have to move me because I hate X and she is a lazy person’, instead you could gently point out that you are finding it hard to concentrate and is there any possibility that you could be moved to a quieter spot in the office, where there are not so many distractions.

If, however, you hate your colleague because he or she is bullying or harassing you, then you should tell your manager, but otherwise be very discreet.

Be mindful of the fact that you don’t want the reasons for your move to be broadcast to the whole office, so the less that is said the better. If it is a case of bullying or harassment, then your manager has a duty to act, but if it is just a case of a personality clash, then he or she may not be so responsive. But all you can do is try, since it will be easier for them to ease any tensions in the workplace, rather than let them fester: but if they aren’t responsive, then adopt Plan B and sign up with a recruitment agency and treat yourself to a new job!

(Recruitment agency solutions spanning temping, temps, contract and permanent Office Jobs in London we specialise in placement and recruitment in the Uk from PA Jobs, Secretarial Jobs, Receptionist Jobs Admin Jobs, Customer Service Jobs and Data Entry Jobs. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Pavis)

I wish you career success!

Ramon Greenwood, Head Career Coach
Common Sense At Work