It’s no secret that chatty, intrusive
co-workers can spoil otherwise productive time at the office. How
to handle them effectively? Following are some tips from Sue Morem,
a business consultant and author of How to Gain the Professional
Edge (www.suemorem.com).
Remove temptation. If co-workers tend to stop
in and chat at length, make your workspace less inviting by
removing extra chairs and putting away that candy dish.
Hold all messages. When you’re on deadline,
turn off the phone ringer and stop checking e-mail. Leave a voice
mail greeting and an e-mail response saying you are unavailable and
noting when messages will be returned.
Hang a sign. If office interruptions persist,
consider putting a “do not disturb” sign on your door or cubicle
entrance.
Get up and go. If a visitor overstays his
welcome, excuse yourself from your own office, perhaps under the
guise of checking for a fax. When all else fails, find another
place to do your work. “In that kind of a situation, you’re better
off removing yourself and getting the project done,” says
Morem.