Talk

Flip

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Work

Help! Colleague driving me mad

9 replies

Wheresmyearplugs · 08/03/2009 19:12

She is new to my office and the job but not the company. Her reputation preceeds her - she has an incredibly loud voice which she uses to talk over everybody, having a conversation with her is impossible. I can mostly avoid conversations with her but on the occasion were I have to talk to her or she is talking to someone else in the room or when she is on the phone (worst of all, the volume doubles) I cannot concentrate and eventually the strain gives me a headache. I can't work out if she is just plain ignorant/selfish or if she has some sort of hidden problem (she has facial tics e.g.lots of blinking.) Either way I cannot work in a room with her and last week ended up abandoning my desk and going into another room. Has anyone got a clue how to deal with this other than me changing my hours (am part-time so this is possible)?

OP posts:

Report

Wheresmyearplugs · 09/03/2009 10:27

Anyone?

OP posts:

Report

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 09/03/2009 10:34

Ear plugs??

Report

OatcakeCravings · 09/03/2009 20:31

Well....just speak to her ffs! Get her alone and explain that she has a rather loud voice and you have difficulty concentrating etc. Do it in a nice way and there shouldn't be a problem.

Report

Wheresmyearplugs · 10/03/2009 11:08

that easy oatcake?

OP posts:

Report

flowerybeanbag · 10/03/2009 11:15

I very much doubt she speaks loudly because she is 'ignorant' or 'selfish'. She either has a genuine problem, with her hearing or whatever, or she just doesn't realise she's doing it and how much it affects others.

I'm afraid I agree with oatcake, the only way to find out which of these it is is to mention it to her kindly, just ask her if she is aware and whether she is able to speak a bit more quietly.

Report

Wheresmyearplugs · 10/03/2009 11:34

I lean towards the explanation that she can't help it too. However, I must work in a company of wimps because nobody has mentioned it to her (as far as I am aware) yet everybody avoids her where possible. She has the tone of a headmistress talking to an assembly of 200 pupils even when there's only one person in the room.

OP posts:

Report

trixymalixy · 10/03/2009 13:00

I think YABU about this.

You say you think she is ignorant and selfish for speaking so loudly, yet no-one has actually mentioned her loud voice to her?

She is obviously not aware that she is speaking so loudly or that it is bothering anyone!!

I feel sorry for her, with people avoiding her and talking behind her back, when she might have a genuine hearing problem.

I would either speak nicely to her about it or ask her manager to speak to her about it.

Report

Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 13:17

Does she have a problem with her hearing, which causes her to talk louder?

It sounds as though it is her manner and domineering style are the issues also?

Report

Wheresmyearplugs · 11/03/2009 15:21

Yes Icantbelieveit, although she is basically a decent person and a hard worker, the way she addresses people, whether she means to or not, is as if she's the boss (she is the same level as evryone else) which can be quite intimidating for some. People recognise that at heart she is a good person but it is very wearing to be in her presence.

Re a hearing problem would that account for her talking over people all the time? (she has no visible hearing aid) It has occurred to me that she might have aspergers. There is someone in my family with this so I am vaguely aware of the characteristics.