Hi - I posted on the 'bad behaviour in the office' thread, but could do with some more specific advice.
I work in a very small, open plan office. Me and four other people ( two part-time, 2 full-time). A new staff member joined about 6 months ago. They have already failed two probationary reviews and was supposed to be sacked on the last one because of multiple, repeated mistakes, but the boss "couldn't do it" .
Ok - that's the background - now aside from sheer incompetence at their job - this person talks to themselves all day (motivational speeches/ chastising themselves when they make a mistake / documenting their work processes), sings, dances in their chair and has now taken to picking their nose, inspecting it and then eating it (they sit in my direct line of sight).
Seriously though, I am at my wits end - I used to love my job, but I can barely get to work in the morning. I have spoken to my boss (the only boss) and he doesn't seem to notice (probably because he doesn't have to look at him and is quite deaf). He said I could 'screen myself off' but I feel that's making it out to be my problem and I don't feel that's fair. I was in such a state on Friday that I emailed the boss to let him know I was looking for a new job because of the situation in the office. I made it clear that it was not my official notice and that I would notify him properly in due course. I did this because I only need to give a months notice, but my job is quite complex and they are crazy to only have me on one months notice. (I'm the only person who can do payroll, pay suppliers, VAT Returns, CIS returns and I control all the bank accounts, ledgers etc.)
I regret sending the email. It was polite and truthful, but I am not looking forward to returning to the office tomorrow. The only positive thing I can get from this is that I no longer feel sick about going to work because of the behaviour of my annoying work colleague. Have I committed career suicide ?