Do you have coworkers who can't seem to focus on work when at work?
By sweet_jette
@sweet_jette (168)
Philippines
April 15, 2011 1:43am CST
I do. I am a quiet person, and I stick to what needs to be done. I am that employee who is focused on proving myself to the boss that I can do my job well.
Since I am friends with some of my coworkers, they have gotten to know that when at work, I am very focused. My ears are always stuffed with earphones so I wont feel bothered or disturbed when they are loudly playing music, playing games, or talking.
However, I really can't take their attitude when we are meetings. Most times we are on conference calls. They would pile up in a corner and start playing games, and after the meeting they'd ask me what the topics were.
I've let them know that I get annoyed at times, and they began naming me little ms irritated. I asked one of my closest friends there, since I was surprised. I joke around too, its not like I stay in my cube all day. When I know we dont have too much work load, I chat with them, joke around, even play games.
What do you guys do?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@Rapuncille (597)
• Philippines
15 Apr 11
I used to have co-workers who would prioritize everything else apart from their work. They are either on the phone, surfing the Internet, busy with updating their Facebook accounts or just nowhere to be found. No wonder no work can be done. What is really annoying is that they are just so good at putting up a show. AIDS (as if doing something) is their drama when the bosses are around. They would even rub elbows with the higher ranking officials in the company just for them to look good. They would keep all their papers on top of their tables piled up so that they would look preoccupied but in reality they do nothing, achieve nothing and contributed nothing.
In thes cases, I would rather do the tasks on my own than have free riders riding on my back.
@sweet_jette (168)
• Philippines
15 Apr 11
So true. I'd rather focus on my tasks and complete what I can do. I really didn't want to post it, I was just getting annoyed that they were complaining about the tasks they still have to work on, and yet they weren't really trying.
@Rapuncille (597)
• Philippines
15 Apr 11
Sometimes you will wonder why they are sticking with their job when in fact they could probably make more money and do what they do best by landing on an acting job.
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
17 Apr 11
We all are different and yes i think we work differently too. I have had a similar experience with you, in my work. I have an officemate who i think spends a lot of time whining van working she does end us taking home a lot of work to her good when she could have finished some of it.
As for me i just mind my own business. I want to go home on the and not bring any work at. Home.
@wongchoiyee (7413)
• Malaysia
16 Apr 11
I wonder why bosses didn't notice these type of people when hiring them to work. They contribute nothing and only one loyal worker who does all the job. I have been like you for the past 10 years and I hate to go to office everyday just to see these people chit chatting and gossipping. I hate dramas they put in front of bosses. The action I took is inform my boss and left the organization in a short time. As I am a secretary graduate I have to be responsible for everything I done.
@sweet_jette (168)
• Philippines
16 Apr 11
Well, the problem is our manager usually behaves like them. I even told him once that being friends with employees is fine, as long as the respect is there. There should be a certain gap so people would still look up to him as the boss, a cool boss. He said that people are still respecting him. A few days after, while in the ladies' room, I heard people saying things about him, and when I check who those people are, turned out it was his "friends".
Me too, I hate drama. I hate when people play two faces. I believe in karma, it would be bad to let your own actions to prove you wrong in front of others.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
15 Apr 11
Of all of the jobs I have ever had in my life, there always seem to be a few co-workers who came to work for something other than work. they would always be more interested in something else that was going on in their lives. sometimes it would be amusing. other times it would just be annoying. there is a time for socializing and a time to get the job done.
@whengcat (1457)
• Philippines
15 Apr 11
This reminded me of my office work days. We're like that when our boss is out but we see to it that our work is done. Having a demanding boss like ours, we should always be prepared when he need something done. So whenever he's away, we kind'a celebrate a bit to release some stress
@sweet_jette (168)
• Philippines
16 Apr 11
Well, that's okay. The thing is, our manager is close to them, they seem to have the same brain waves, they get each other.
There was one time, we told our manager that there is someone in his team who always acts so busy when he is around, but as soon as he leaves, this pretender sleeps for 3 hours until our shift ends. Our manager actually got mad that he cursed.
I just laughed, he doesnt know we were talking about his pet employee.
@sashakiddo (1102)
• United States
16 Apr 11
In the end, they will suffer for not doing their job. If it irritates you that they ask you the topics, you might politely tell them that they should find out on their own, or find a job that they actually want to do. It might help to show them sympathy, because they probably don't enjoy their job if they are never doing it.
On the plus side, if you do tell them the topics, you might get a good reputation for being the one who is always on top of things. A good reputation can get you a promotion, depending on what kind of work you do.
@sweet_jette (168)
• Philippines
16 Apr 11
I try to do both. When I still have patience, I do the latter. Then I get irritated, because after that, they'll inform the others about it and take credit.
The client sees us as a whole, and not individuals in a team.
Good thing is, people from the analyst levels know how I work and have expressed their appreciation.
Thanks for responding!
