How to deal with a lazy coworker who never shuts up?

Question

Now 8 months into my job, I really can't stand one of my coworkers anymore. He never shuts up and thinks he knows everything. Our offices are across the hall from each other, so I'll often ask him a simple "yes" or "no" question (I've learned not to ask open-ended questions). He'll get up, walk into my office, and ramble about anything and everything for 15 minutes (literally!), He usually tries to sound like a know-it-all, which is highly annoying because he doesn't know what he's talking about most of of the time.

Furthermore, he's so lazy! He does little or no actual work (I often catch him playing online games like bowling) and always tries to push things off on me. Also, when our boss is out of the office (which is pretty frequent), he comes in late, leaves early (like an hour), and spends most of the day talking to his wife on his cell phone.

Two questions--how can I get him to shut up and quit pushing work off on me, and should I tell my boss about his laziness?

Answer 1

dont you have your own work? how can you handle your work and his work and still get it done in the eight hours? i would just tell him, "listen, bub, i have my own work to do right now. i have just enough time today to get mine done. sorry. not today." and just keep saying that. what can he possibly say? too bad? i mean, you'd be a fool to keep doing somone elses work for them. sorry but its true. oh and his talking? can you wear an mp3 player in one ear? i do.

Answer 2

Tell him to bug off because unlike him you have work to do. If that doesn't shut him up then talk to your boss.  Unless he is the boss's son or something what have you got to lose?

Answer 3

Report him to HR. Most companies have policies against online gaming and using the company network for personal use.

Answer 4

I had the same problem!!!  I finally had to have a talk with my boss.  They started to evaluate his performance and realized he was doing nothing all day.  It took awhile but they finally fired him.  In the meantime, my boss had me start giving him some of my work to do to ease the pressure off me.  He's been gone for several months, they are not going to replace him...now they finally realize how useless he actually was...good luck

Answer 5

I feel for you, that´s a tricky one. First of all, reporting people to the boss is a thing you should be very, very sure about. I´d push that idea aside for the time being and see whether it maybe can be solved in some other way.

If you say, "he doesn´t know what he´s talking about most of the time" - why do you ask him questions? You know the way he reacts to them, so whenever possible, ask somebody else.

One thing you should be very clear about is the pushing work off on you. Next time he asks you to do something that is clearly his task (there´s nothing wrong with working as a team when that is appropriate), simply smile and, as nicely as you can, tell him sorry, but you are awfully busy already and need to get yada-yada done in time. Be firm and clear.

I´m afraid that´s what you can do at the moment. Unless that doesn´t work and he doesn´t get it - and unless you have solid proof about the talking to his wife, playing online games and leaving work early stuff, your boss might take reporting a co-worker as anti-social behaviour, for all you know.

Good luck!

Answer 6

You talk about him playing online games and here you are on YA. Doesn't this seem strange to you???

Answer 7

First of all, don't ask any questions if you know that you'll be setting yourself up for that kind of abuse.  But if you have to ask a question, just pop some head phones in when the answer gets too long.  It always works and they get the hint pretty quickly.

http://www.digitalfuntown.com/homepage.p...

Answer 8

if you have tried interacting with your co worker and nothing has changed, speak with your manager.  maintain professionalism.

Answer 9

If he's really as lazy as you say, it's going to show in his work, so I wouldn't recommend saying anything to the boss about him unless you're asked directly. As for the talking, that's tougher. Maybe try to email of IM him with little questions -- that might keep him at his desk and not at yours. If he continues to annoy you, speak to HR if you can, or just tell him you're too busy to chit chat. I find the direct approach is usually the best.

Answer 10

Stop calling questions across the hall!  (You're interrupting his work, even if it's his online bowling -- lol !)  If you have even a simple question, haul yourself out of your chair, walk across the hall, and ask him.  Then YOU are still in control and can leave his office when you get your answer.

When he's rambling in your office, say firmly, "Thanks, Joe, but I need to get this done.  Can we talk later?  Do you mind closing the door on your way out?"  ("Later" = Never!)  

The next time he tries to palm off work on you, say sweetly, "I have a lot on my plate right now -- let's ask Mr./Ms. Boss about that."

Don't expect to change your coworker, and don't rat him out.  Just limit your time with him so you can get your own work done.  Also, if you have (or can schedule) a weekly meeting with your boss for even 20 minutes or so, you can slip in your concerns in a neutral-sounding way.  "Can we get some clarification about our job descriptions?  I hate to say no when Mr. Lazy asks me to help with his projects, but you know how much I'm doing right now."  

Despite appearances, your boss is probably very aware of what's going on in the office, but she/he can't very well gossip about Mr. Lazy with you.  So just keep your attention on your own work and trust that the rest will sort itself out.

Answer 11

To get him to shut up ask him this question " If I throw a stick will you go away?" Yes, I would definitely talk to my boss. You can also just refuse to complete his work and then the boss will notice on his own.

Answer 12

just hit em up .... straight up...

thats how you get respect.

just don't be a jerk about it when you talk to him..have an attitude and posture and tone of peace.

Answer 13

Definitely tell the boss. Normally I like to handle things myself but in your case you can't. All you'd do is p**s the jerk off and then he'd spend all his free time bad mouthing you. Just let the boss deal with it and if that doesn't work go to your boss's boss. I worked with a lazy chatter box too years ago. He couldn't read or write but he knew everything....I'm obviously not as nice as you because I'd tell the idiot to shut the f up and get the h**l out of my area...worked for me but that's not my advice to you...good luck.