Archive for October, 2008

Dear Leslie:

I am the office secretary (and then some) in a 50-person office and I work with a great group of people.

I enjoy talking but I sometimes am under a deadline myself.

Management and co-workers have reprimanded one of these “talkers” several times. Our manager said I should put my foot down, and I try to, but they say, “OK, just one more thing,” and continue talking.

Dear Reader:
Regard this as a self-esteem test. You need to stand up for your own needs because no one else will — and that is a common situation. Be less tolerant and more direct. You do not have to be rude, just firm. Say something like, “I’d love to talk to you but I can’t right now,” then return to what you are doing, and refuse to engage them any further.

Dear Leslie:
My co-worker does nothing all day. This person is lazy and whiny and leaves trash everywhere, badmouths coworkers and pits people against each other. Never once has this person taken any responsibility for anything, but rather blames others for mistakes and takes credit for others’ work.

I have confronted this person several times in a direct but polite manner with no results. How do I deal with this situation in the meantime without losing my sanity?

Dear Reader: If you are doing your own work, isn’t there some satisfaction in that?

Letting stress about someone else’s performance ruin your workdays sounds like an unpleasant way to live. Perhaps a therapist can give you some tips for getting a little perspective.

Once you start focusing on your own strengths rather than your co-worker’s weaknesses you may relax a little, which should make you more attractive to prospective employers.

Got a problem at work? Leslie Whitaker, co-author of “The Good Girl’s Guide to Negotiating,” would like to hear from you. Send Leslie an e-mail at leslie@ctw features.com or write to her at P.O. Box 11156, Shorewood, Wis. 53211.