Attention seeking woman at work driving me insane

[Gloc]

Name changed as outing to anyone that works with her!

She’s driving me insane, seriously - to the point where I have urges to shout at her or literally walk out. Shes so loud, constantly shouting and screaming. She’ll literally scream all of a sudden, waits for everyone to ask what’s wrong and then will say “I’m just so bored!” Or “I’ve just remembered it’s pizza for tea!” Or some other stupid shit.

She’ll randomly throw her papers up in the air and say “it’s stressing me out!” And everyone laughs. What exactly is funny about that?? Maybe the first time I’d laugh but when it’s a weekly thing - not so much

On Friday she suddenly slammed her laptop shut and screamed. Of course everyone was like “what?? What??” And she’s sat there lapping up the attention before declaring “I’ve just seen that my favourite band are touring”. Everyone laughed and said “Jesus I thought it was something serious”. It’s never serious, it’s always something stupid.

She’ll get up and suddenly start dancing - even getting up on the tables etc. at Christmas she brought in a load of those dancing snowmen/santas/clapping monkeys etc, set them up all around the office and turned them all on together. The voice was unbearable. The manager made her get rid of them in the end so she screamed and pretended to cry.

The woman infuriates me. I don’t even know why she annoys me so much. I seem to be the only one not laughing! Before anyone says I’m jealous, trust me - I’m the most introverted person ever, the last thing I want is to be centre of attention

She’s actually making me consider changing my job. I can’t stand it. I’m literally dreading going in tomorrow.

Maybe you should just randomly scream back at her

I found your opening post so funny OP & I thought to myself ‘I bet this is the NHS.’ There’s something about the NHS that attracts these ‘you don’t have to be mad to work here but it helps’ types. I worked in a community mental health team & the manager was a bit like this.

Sounds awful! Definitely start keeping an exact record of incidents.

Failing that there are several mumsnetters able to provide an alibi.

That’s often because management are very poor/ineffective generally, and it’s very difficult to sack someone.

Oh it's her

Omg, I really couldn't cope with this, particularly the sudden screaming. My nerves and concentration would be absolutely shredded.

Either speak to her / your manager / hr. She needs to be asked firmly to behave professionally and to stop creating a hostile environment for others.

If she doesn't or can't, she either needs to be referred for some mental health support or taken down the misconduct route.

In a court of law it would be classed a mercy killing.

A wife of DH’s friend is like this, we had to cut contact otherwise we’d both be in prison for life.

🤣🤣🤣

Has she ever visited the Sistine Chapel?

Next time she does it, scream back. Then when everyone stares at you in surprise, just return the look back with a touch of mild confusion, shrug your shoulders and say "sorry, I thought it was act like an attention seeking cunt day at work. Was I wrong?"
Then just go back to work like nothing happened lol

I cannot believe your manager isn't tackling this. Sounds horrible. I would have already exploded.

I think I'd probably find it funny if it happened once, but not after that.

Amazon sell a small screaming goat. Maybe buy one and everytime she screams then press it a few times so it screams too.

She sounds like a nightmare.

1. Log everything.
2. Meet your line manager. Explain your effectiveness is being compromised so you're making them aware this is the reason.
3. When she screams, just say calmly, please don't do that, I'm working. And make a note of the date/time.

You then can make a formal complaint.

Did she use to work in a school?

I'd do this but without the comment. Just look confused and shrug shoulders and then launch back onto your work

No wonder the NHS is a mess, why is she still working there?

Her outbursts could be quite triggering for some.

Speak to manager.

Isn't there a Catherine Tate character that screams??!

I expect they are all scared of being accused of “victimising” her or something and it all coming back on them.

The manager isn’t doing her job. Has anyone said bluntly to her that it’s only one person making noise, not “everyone”?

If you can get just one of your colleagues to join you in making a formal report to the manager and HR, it’s a move towards getting this dealt with properly. The employer as an organisation has a duty to make the workplace at least bearable for all the staff, they shouldn’t tiptoe around the bad behaviour of one person. I’m pretty certain that if you told all this to someone senior in HR and someone else backed you up, they would take action.

Email your manager requesting a private meeting saying it’s because you need to raise an issue regarding your working environment. This will make sure you don’t get a whispered water cooler convo, but also you are starting your “paper” trail.

In the meeting tell your manager how the behaviour is affecting you and your work. The outcome you are looking for is for the screaming and theatrics to stop. Say that if the colleague were to massage your head or touch you in any other way, you would be raising a serious complaint against them. Make notes.

If your manager fails to resolve the issue, raise a formal written grievance in line with your policy there. Refer to your previous meeting and include notes.

If that fails, then is the time to look for another job because the culture would have to be totally rubbish for any normal person to endure! But don’t jump yet, you might regret not trying to resolve it first.

Intrigued as to how people know bullying was raised against her previously, but it does suggest she’s not as popular as you might think. I also agree with PP, most likely a sidewise move and I’ve never been a fan of moving the problem.

I'd probably inadvertently respond the same as I do when the dogs are barking - a very loud, no nonsense "QUIET!"

It is a manager problem and they should have dealt with it on the first occurrence. Tell them it's impacting your work and causing you anxiety about coming into the office. If it can't be stopped you will need to work from home.

Get some loop earplugs. I have some that I discreetly use when I’m around people that irritate me.

One word about your post seriously caught my attention. Through all the talk about your coworker(and there was plenty)it was the one about yourself that I was drawn to. You mentioned that you were “introverted”. I think this could be the issue. Sometimes when we have problems/dislikes with other people it’s because subconsciously we see things in them we wish we had. So although you may be an introverted person and don’t want to draw attention to yourself, deep down you may be lacking this attention in your own life. I don’t know your home life but perhaps you aren’t getting the affection you need from your partner or don’t have one. Maybe you are lonely. Whatever the issue is I think it’s best to concentrate more on asking, what is lacking in your own life ,rather than focusing on this worker. She is not the problem. Humans like her are here to test how much love and empathy you have in your heart. You could try getting to know her better and find out why she acts so childish. It’s clear her need for attention is deep rooted in something she didn’t get as a child and shes used to having to fight for it. Sounds like she needs a real friend.

Oh OP, I can guarantee you aren’t the only one she’s annoying the shit out of. Try and hold out a bit longer for someone else to get openly pissed off with her first though if you can, because it sounds like she might well turn on whoever does. You absolutely won’t be the only one quietly wanting to throttle her though, I promise