How can I politely end repeated offers of help at work?

[newseries]

Someone I work with is constantly offering to help me. The conversations go a bit like this.

her - ‘if you need anything, please ask me.’
me - ‘thanks so much, I will.’
her - ‘no really, I’m here if you need anything,
me - ‘thank you, I’ll remember that.’
her - ‘anything at all!’
me - ‘thank you.’

You get the idea I’m sure. We end up in this loop where I’m endlessly saying thank you and it’s both boring and annoying!

How can I nicely end it?

Are they not working at full capacity or do they think you need guidance?

How about replying: ‘Yes, you have already asked me. I’ll come to you if I need help, no need to ask again. Thanks’.

I would say, ‘thanks for the offer, I’m ok with my workload, but if you need stuff to do ask [whoever their boss is], I’m sure they’ll find you something’.

Try “ok” instead of the thank yous? Just sound less enthusiastic about her offers!

I'd say my work is all under control and well resourced, is there a reason you keep asking?

Either you are getting stuff wrong or she’s got nothing to do

OK might be a good idea. It isn’t related to work - it’s because I recently had time off so I suppose it is coming from a nice place but I am finding it tiresome and a bit insincere if I’m honest.

'No worries, I will do'

'Sure, I'll ask if I do'

'No problem, I'll let you know'

Use these on rotation and train yourself out of saying 'thanks'

That won’t stop the loop @PullTheBricksDown ! I need a polite way of ‘ok that’s enough now!’

If she’s offering help not work related, what’s she actually offering help with? If she asks again, can you make it work related? Can you ask her to book a meeting room, or failing that ask her to pick up your lunch?!

"Yes thank you I heard you the first time"
Then turn back to your laptop and don't keep responding.

It's a bit snippy, verging on rude, depends how much you're also trying to preserve the relationship.

Oh, it’s just one of those ‘let me know if there’s anything I can do’ sort of things people say @Franxi . Which is fine, it’s the fact she keeps saying it over and over!

“Likewise”

”Of course”

”Sure”

<smile>

on rereading this, I think she’s genuinely wanting you to know that she understands returning to work can be difficult. It’ll have tailed off in a few months

You could try something like

”Just wanted to say thank you for your kind offers since I’ve been back but I’m honestly ok and will let you know if I do need anything at all”

Thanks for this - I will try that. I really do need it to end; it’s doing my nut in to be honest!

In that case I’d ask her if she wouldn’t mind picking up your drycleaning and see what she says! Or say your neck is aching and would she mind giving a shoulder massage!