Ladies; Aren't I handling a difficult co-worker fine? My other co-worker thinks Im too nice?

Question

What is this guy's problem?

What is this guy's problem?

If he asks you a question, he asks it 3 times.....

If you're talking about something, he'll keep pushing the issue. For example I had an envelope with additional postage I didn't want to use....I had told him I needed another one of that particular envelope and even after I told him I couldn't use the other one, he asked me 4 times!

Don't you think that's a little much for an adult to push the issue so much over such a trivial matter? I take my job seriously and work hard, but come on.......

Also, if a barrel is moved from one side of the table of another, he always moves it and doesn't say anything. Then he says he feels more comfortable that it's there. When, in all actuality, it's 3 inches away.

He also, when you come in, comes right up to you when he needs to chat, he doesn't even give you at least a minute to get settled.

He overexplains himself all the time, and then when he says thank you, you ALWAYS have to say you're welcome. All

1 month ago

Additional Details

1 month ago

Ok and to top it all off........

I had work to do, our day was the busiest, and he wanted to go down to the warehouse (he odesn't drive) and pick up boxes when we had enough til tomorrow. Our boss said he didnt want him down there, so he goes "I see" and looks down.....Then he tells me to grab boxes anyway, and I said "I listen to what he says, what he wants, goes" or something like that, and he literally walked a half mile down to the warehouse and lied that our boss said he could get boxes....

What the h**l? I kind of said something to my boss, like hinted.......

Why is the boss ignoring this? I TRIED BITING MY TONGUE WITH EVERY OUNCE OF STRENGTH BUT I CANNOT HOLD BACK.....

Do you think they're coddling him and accepting his prima donna ways because he's a minority and they don't want him to start trouble?

Answer 1

is the job worth the drama...only you can answer

Answer 2

Have you considered that your "difficult" colleague may have a disability/difficulty that would account for his behaviour?

From what you say I'm wondering if he may have a social/communication difficulty such as Autism or something along those lines...or perhaps Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or some other "Personality Disorder" etc.

It could be that your boss is aware of your colleague's "difficulties" but does not feel it is appropriate to discuss the reasons with you.

Only you know what it's like to work with this man, but maybe if instead of getting constantly irritated with him, you tried to make allowances for the way he is (which he may well have no control over) and try as far as possible to keep your cool and avoid and/or try to prevent situations that might result in conflict, you'd find your job less stressful.

It would help you to know whether the way he acts is because of something he has little control over, or as you say, he's just being a "Prima Donna".

You could try directly asking your boss whether he knows of any reason for the way your colleague behaves and explain that it has an effect on you - but be prepared that he may not be allowed to discuss your colleague's personal information with you (I am from the UK and our employment laws are different to the USA so I don't know how these situations are handled in your country) and you may be expected to make reasonable allowances for any "learning difficulty" or other disability that your colleague may have.