What are the most effective ways to handle your lingering lingerer coworker who overstays his or her welcome?
Here are a few options.

1. Put a time a limit on the conversation
When Bob stops by to chat immediately establish a time boundary. Let Bob know that you have two minutes to chat and if he foresees the conversation going longer that it would be best to put time on the calendar instead
2. Hit it and quit it
When Bob stops by and lingers don’t put a time limit just be nice and briefly engage him and then politely disengage him by saying you have to get back to work and that you would love to talk more later once your work is complete
3. Ignore the lingerer
This isn’t the gentlest or most godly choice but its an option nonetheless when Bob is the type of person who just doesn’t get the polite hints to go away. So, when Bob stops by to chat simply be short. Give little attention to what he has to say, continue to work and don’t make eye contact

Leave a Reply