annoying co-worker

I've posted about her in the past, this week she is really annoying me.
All my senior managers are out this week, which is great for me because I can get a lot of my work done without interruption.
She can see that no one is here and has to stop at my cube and talk about stuff going on in her department that I have absolutely no interest in. I'm surprised she doesn't see my eyes glaze over. She talks in circles, repeating what she has said previously, very much in detail. A story can take 20 minutes to tell. She doesn't get the hint to leave when I turn back to my computer.
She complains endlessly about other people, how they do their work, about how this company is azz-backwards (yes I know, been here for 25 years), is so skeptical about everything and anything this company does.
I've had enough and want to put space between us but don't know how without hurting her feelings.
I guess I am going to have to start running errands at lunchtime (pretty much just running away) to get my break. Feel bad because I am the only person she lunches with.

signed,
Feeling trapped in my open cube.

Re: annoying co-worker

Totally can relate, as I have an annoying coworker as well. He will look to make eye contact with someone and come into your office and just talk for 20 plus minutes about what he ate. I usually try to avoid eye contact or pretend like I am busy so he doesn't come into my office...

Re: annoying co-worker

Re: annoying co-worker

You can get a little Do Not Disturb flag that attaches to your desk/cube wall. Put it up when you want to be left alone (or when you see her walking towards you!)

Re: annoying co-worker

I guess I’ll be the rude one here. If someone interrupts me, I listen for a few minutes and then say, “sorry, I really need to get this done. I only have so much time and I need to get this done by XX.”

Or I’ll just completely ignore them while I get the rest of my work done and mumble uh huh. Sorry, but I don’t put up with that.

Re: annoying co-worker

annoying co-worker

We aren't really allowed to socialize so I don't get that much. But, a coworkers granddaughter is in for a few weeks and she keeps on humming.

Re: annoying co-worker

I socialize too, but not walking up to someone's cube unless I have specific business with them.
It's disturbing to others.
I guess what is most annoying is that she always talks about her department and work and I really don't care. Another co-worker from her department used to eat lunch with us and every day it was blah blah blah and complaining about their work.
I don't talk about work, not even with my DH. It stays in the office.

annoying co-worker

Sorry you have to deal with that! I find it hard to ride the line of being social but also just wanting to work. I end up chatting every few days so people don’t think I’m being a b1tch.

I had a coworker that was super chatty and the only way I could get away was to get up and say I needed to refill my water or go to the bathroom. But I have no suggestion for your lunch since it’s already been established that you eat together. That sucks, too, bc lunch is a great time to decompress or zone out! Your idea of leaving your cube would be one of the few options - others would be to pretend you have to work thru lunch, or have personal stuff you have to catch up on (not sure about company policy on computer use for personal reasons).

Re: annoying co-worker

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by lightblue

Totally can relate, as I have an annoying coworker as well. He will look to make eye contact with someone and come into your office and just talk for 20 plus minutes about what he ate. I usually try to avoid eye contact or pretend like I am busy so he doesn't come into my office...

LOL. I have an office but my door is often open- aka an invitation to walk in.
If I see certain people coming, I will go so far as to pick up the phone and pretend to be on a call.
I have ZERO patience for this!