Aagh! Colleague constantly coming into office

[Nula123]

Haven’t long been back from WFH and I was kind of expecting this from the regular, unscheduled and often unnecessary video calls I used to get. This colleague is in the same wider team but based in another office. They knock and come in, without waiting for a response, about 4-5 times a day. Often just to chat. Today, to ask if we’d had a response to an email in an inbox they have access to! It’s maddening. No small amount of hints work. It makes me lose my train of thought. I don’t know what to do without being rude
Is this ok because I share the office with a couple of others so it’s not ‘my’ office? Possibly WFH has made me unsociable?I liked being able to schedule mostlyeverything in

I would ask them them to speak to their line manager and make a request for more work as they clearly have too much time on their hands.

I would find out how the other two in your office feel about him.

If you are all in agreement I would either:

a) ask him why he keeps popping in because he is disturbing your work

or b) all of you ignore him and just keep your heads down working.

He will soon get the message!

I had this once, many years ago. I'd say if you're not busy, don't suppose you could do X, y z could you?

It's amazing how quickly she started to stay in her own office. Maybe you could try asking for little favours, see how it goes.

When I do this to DH (we both WFH) he just ignores me and stares at his screen! Can't you just be intensely concentrating, or say "Hmm? Sorry, I was thinking..." etc? It's not rude to be busy. They'll hopefully get the message.

Do you have to communicate with the others in your office?
Ie could you wear earphones? Make sure they are clearly visible white ones.
When colleague comes to ask you something, make removing earphones - one at a time - an effort. Exaggerate how much they are interrupting you.

Don't worry about being rude, they aren't. Just say 'your constant interruptions are disturbing me and affecting my ability to work. Unless it is urgent can you please email me.'

Headphones

It could be an element of getting used to being in an office again. I am struggling with this, the phone calls, the people popping in, the chatter and constant interruptions are driving me crazy. I just loose my train of thought and everything takes twice as long. Not sure what the answer is but hopefully it will get easier.

Don't hint.
Be busy.
Say 'Sorry, I can't just now'.

If she continues, 'Sorry - could you put it in an email, and I'll get to it when I have time'.

If she continues, maybe stop completely, turn round, give her your full attention, and ask, 'Is it REALLY urgent?'

This is why I’m dreading going back to the office. I endorse putting in earphones and pretend you are on a call. Don’t look up from your screen.

@Dibble135

This is why I’m dreading going back to the office. I endorse putting in earphones and pretend you are on a call. Don’t look up from your screen.

Unfortunately my screen faces the rest of the room. Yesterday he stood behind me for a good while watching me work

Thanks everyone. I think I am going to have to be a bit more blunt. E.g today I could have said ‘I don’t know, why don’t you check the inbox’ rather than immediately having a look for him

You’ll have to be rude. It’s the only thing that works with people like that.

I used to have a mug saying ‘Fuck off I’m proofreading’.

I used to wave it at people I didn’t want to talk to, whether or not I was proofreading.

Or just direct ‘Sorry, I’ve got a lot to do today, can we chat another time?’