To ask colleague to do one?

[DaviesMum]

I've worked with this person in a team of twenty for the past five years. For some reason, they make a beeline for me whenever they walk in the door, endlessly and breathlessly telling me how fantastic they are: customers think they are the best, how gorgeous they were told they look and just in general how bloody fantastic they are. The behaviour borders on almost stalker-level frenzy, and at least an hour of my day is wasted by this person plonking themselves down in an empty seat and talking AT me.

I've tried headphones, not making eye contact and dropping subtle hints about how busy I am, all to no avail. If I go to the toilet or to the tea prep, this person is physically racing to catch up with me and off we go again. Everyone makes a joke about it but it makes for 37.5 hours of hell a week. This person plays the ingenue very well, has many people convinced of their "fragility", but when it boils down to my mental state, I'm supposed to deal with this. My manager is afraid to act on my behalf because this person has made a number of allegations against the manager, even going so far as to get their partner to threaten my manager.

I suffered my first anxiety attack in 17 years and was seen by out of hours doctor in the early hours because I know this is what I face tomorrow. I desperately want to tell this person to fuck off - all I get is how wonderful they are and to STFU. If I do this I'm screwed, help MN!!!

That’s so shit [shit]

I’d advise to keep up the notes and records of everything that’s said and hang in there just in case. I’d be job hunting in the meantime though.

Senior management are aware of the problem and find it a matter of huge hilarity

Well that's your problem right there.

I am mindful to do this but her partner is a loose cannon - I worry he'll be waiting for me to get to work one day, then all bets are off. I'm a tall lass but not a fighter.

What?!!!

Where the hell do you work that this sort of thing is a real fear for anyone who crosses her and yet she goes unchallenged by management?

God, what an awful, awful thread.

Look after yourself OP and please start looking for another job. Life is too short for this sort of shit.

And I'd give my hind teeth to know who you work for. I hope they get some kind of public shaming or comeuppance for this, their management style is beyond appalling.