'It's super unprofessional': Boss asks for help with employee's disruptive daily habit

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Sep 12, 2024 3:00 PM EDT

This manager is wondering if they're acting too petty towards an employee with a disruptive habit. They decided to ask the internet to weigh in, and people actually had some great advice for the manager to try out on this employee. 

Many workplaces try to hire a diverse group of employees. It's good to have multiple minds working on the same problem, since everyone has their own unique thoughts to contribute. But if you've ever worked at a place like that, you know that a diverse group may not all get along. There will be different likes and dislikes, different conversational cues, and even differences of communication styles. This manager was struggling with that with one of their employees who can't seem to communicate appropriately. 

You can read u/sw9919's story below, as well as the helpful commenters who chimed in with solutions. (The person who suggested they just hold up a hand in the "stop" motion is a genius, and that probably is the best way to handle the situation. 

After that, read about the customer service rep who had an excellent 40 minute break while a ranting customer berated them, with this crazy dude declaring, "Do not interrupt me! I am the customer and the customer is always right." 

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10402160384
    via Dylan Gillis on Unsplash
  • 02
    Am I being petty? I have a staff member who absolutely refuses to get my attention (i.e. say my name, knock on my door, say "hey you") before asking questions, making statements, or telling me something at all. We've had
    via u/sw9919
  • 03
    several conversations about it and how it has led to missed calls, issues not being resolved, tasks not being completed, etc. because I either (a) didn't realize they were talking to me, or (b) was in the middle of a task, meeting, or PHONE CALL, and didn't hear them. This has been
    via u/sw9919
  • 04
    going on for a couple months now and it isn't getting better. Whenever I catch it happening, I make sure to point out that it isn't appropriate, and my time isn't being respected, and now they seem to think it's like a joke or a game. Am I being petty?
    via u/sw9919
  • 05
    Ne... I was talking to a police. officer "about being approached by randos in gas stations at night" and he told me something valuable: if you hold your hand out (like the Supremes "stop in the name of love") the person will stop talking. He said to try it.
    via u/Necessary_Team_8769
  • 06
    I went home and it worked on my husband, it was like a mute button. Look for some nonverbal signals to use and then turn away, pick up the phone, put your headset on, whatever. I believe you'll find a toolbox of resources and you'll feel powerful.
    via u/Necessary_Team_8769
  • 07
    DigitalNomad Nap... this staff member is messing with your productivity and it needs to stop. it's super unprofessional and pretty to just barge into someone's space without announcing themselves.
    via u/DigitalNomadNapping
  • 08
    marxamod I would name it, see if they have a reason and then ask them how they can fix it. "John, we've discussed severa times that I need you to get my attention and acknowledgment before talking. Today, I was busy on a call when you started and when I pointed to the phone you kept speaking any way.
    via u/marxamod
  • 09
    I'm not able to talk on the phone and hear you at once. Can you help me understand why this is happening? (Probably doesn't have a reason but might) I need you to stop doing this - what ideas do you have that will help you remember to get my attention and acknowledgment before you speak?"
    via u/marxamod
  • 10
    If they have none, I would suggest just not doing it. Let them talk, finish your call and turn and say "I heard none of that." If he says stuff then walks off, treat it like it never happened - don't do the thing asked of you, don't go find them later.
    via u/marxamod
  • 11
    "Jane, you didn't give me your report." I said it wasn't done yet "Did you tell me that after getting my attention and acknowledgment? Because if you'd said it to me when I was focused on you I would have written it here and I didn't. We've discussed you talking while I'm doing other tasks and it's not acceptable."
    via u/marxamod
  • 12
    scherster I do think you are being a bit petty. Stop trying to get them to behave exactly the way you want, and start holding them accountable for their work results.
    via u/scherster
  • 13
    If you are on the phone, talking to someone, or otherwise engaged, and they start talking to you, ignore them. If they try to interrupt, turn your back or hold up your hand to indicate you are not listening. If they continue to interrupt, tell them they are interrupting and must wait until you are avahappen. (Yes, as if they are two years old.)
    via u/scherster
  • 14
    If issues are caused by this person speaking in your general direction without communicating, manage the performance issues. Talking at you without getting your attention first doesn't count as communication, so you address the situation as if they mever spoke to you. Address the outcomes, not the behaviors.
    via u/scherster

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