How to ask co-worker to let me work?











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As most people, I am not productive 100% of the time I spend at the office, but I try to keep my procrastination time to the minimum (preparing tea, going to the bathroom, answering my messages) and talking to people I want to talk to.



My team leader spends considerable time shopping online, chatting with other co-workers and frequently (once or twice a day) he comes to my place to talk about themes not related to work. This affects my productivity as well as the perception my boss has on my productivity.



From 9 hours, I usually spend 40 minutes on non-work related activities and really don't want to use my time with him because
1. I would have to sacrifice another thing that I have already planned,
2. Reduce my productivity
3. Leave the office later.



He's quite nice but I don't want to encourage a friendship.



I feel uncomfortable asking him to leave or openly showing my disinterest, and usually try to give non verbal cues (I slightly turn my body towards the computer where I'm usually displaying work stuff, I grab the mouse the whole time I talk to him, only lift one headphone, never encourage the conversation) but doesn't seem to work.



There's also the thing about him being my team leader, I feel like I can't use the "I am really busy" line because it would imply that he doesn't have anything to do...



I want to keep a cordial professional relationship. How can I communicate all this without being rude?










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    up vote
    2
    down vote

    favorite












    As most people, I am not productive 100% of the time I spend at the office, but I try to keep my procrastination time to the minimum (preparing tea, going to the bathroom, answering my messages) and talking to people I want to talk to.



    My team leader spends considerable time shopping online, chatting with other co-workers and frequently (once or twice a day) he comes to my place to talk about themes not related to work. This affects my productivity as well as the perception my boss has on my productivity.



    From 9 hours, I usually spend 40 minutes on non-work related activities and really don't want to use my time with him because
    1. I would have to sacrifice another thing that I have already planned,
    2. Reduce my productivity
    3. Leave the office later.



    He's quite nice but I don't want to encourage a friendship.



    I feel uncomfortable asking him to leave or openly showing my disinterest, and usually try to give non verbal cues (I slightly turn my body towards the computer where I'm usually displaying work stuff, I grab the mouse the whole time I talk to him, only lift one headphone, never encourage the conversation) but doesn't seem to work.



    There's also the thing about him being my team leader, I feel like I can't use the "I am really busy" line because it would imply that he doesn't have anything to do...



    I want to keep a cordial professional relationship. How can I communicate all this without being rude?










    share|improve this question







    New contributor




    Aurinxki is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.






















      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite











      As most people, I am not productive 100% of the time I spend at the office, but I try to keep my procrastination time to the minimum (preparing tea, going to the bathroom, answering my messages) and talking to people I want to talk to.



      My team leader spends considerable time shopping online, chatting with other co-workers and frequently (once or twice a day) he comes to my place to talk about themes not related to work. This affects my productivity as well as the perception my boss has on my productivity.



      From 9 hours, I usually spend 40 minutes on non-work related activities and really don't want to use my time with him because
      1. I would have to sacrifice another thing that I have already planned,
      2. Reduce my productivity
      3. Leave the office later.



      He's quite nice but I don't want to encourage a friendship.



      I feel uncomfortable asking him to leave or openly showing my disinterest, and usually try to give non verbal cues (I slightly turn my body towards the computer where I'm usually displaying work stuff, I grab the mouse the whole time I talk to him, only lift one headphone, never encourage the conversation) but doesn't seem to work.



      There's also the thing about him being my team leader, I feel like I can't use the "I am really busy" line because it would imply that he doesn't have anything to do...



      I want to keep a cordial professional relationship. How can I communicate all this without being rude?










      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      Aurinxki is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      As most people, I am not productive 100% of the time I spend at the office, but I try to keep my procrastination time to the minimum (preparing tea, going to the bathroom, answering my messages) and talking to people I want to talk to.



      My team leader spends considerable time shopping online, chatting with other co-workers and frequently (once or twice a day) he comes to my place to talk about themes not related to work. This affects my productivity as well as the perception my boss has on my productivity.



      From 9 hours, I usually spend 40 minutes on non-work related activities and really don't want to use my time with him because
      1. I would have to sacrifice another thing that I have already planned,
      2. Reduce my productivity
      3. Leave the office later.



      He's quite nice but I don't want to encourage a friendship.



      I feel uncomfortable asking him to leave or openly showing my disinterest, and usually try to give non verbal cues (I slightly turn my body towards the computer where I'm usually displaying work stuff, I grab the mouse the whole time I talk to him, only lift one headphone, never encourage the conversation) but doesn't seem to work.



      There's also the thing about him being my team leader, I feel like I can't use the "I am really busy" line because it would imply that he doesn't have anything to do...



      I want to keep a cordial professional relationship. How can I communicate all this without being rude?







      communication colleagues procrastination teamleader






      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      Aurinxki is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      Aurinxki is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









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      share|improve this question






      New contributor




      Aurinxki is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      asked 3 hours ago









      Aurinxki

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      1112




      New contributor




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      New contributor





      Aurinxki is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






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          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

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          up vote
          2
          down vote













          Alison covers this very nicely. Two options that I find very useful are saying something when they first interrupt you:




          I've only got 5 minutes to talk, and then I need to get back to work.




          and




          I'm a bit busy right now. But if you come back in 45 minutes, I should have a few minutes free.




          In other words, deflect them right off, in a friendly and polite manner. But set limits on the interruptions, so you get back to work.



          And yes, you don't want to imply that your boss needs to get back to work. These statements should not be a problem there - it's you who is busy, doing the work they want you to do.






          share|improve this answer




























            up vote
            2
            down vote














            There's also the thing about him being my team leader, I feel like I
            can't use the "I am really busy" line because it would imply that he
            doesn't have anything to do...



            I want to keep a cordial professional relationship. How can I
            communicate all this without being rude?




            You are being silly avoiding the "I am really busy" line. It's not implying anything, nor is it rude.



            Something like "I'd love to chat, but I have to get back to my work." or "Good talk, but now I really need to get back to [whatever task you were doing]" should work if repeated often and consistently.






            share|improve this answer





















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              2 Answers
              2






              active

              oldest

              votes








              2 Answers
              2






              active

              oldest

              votes









              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes








              up vote
              2
              down vote













              Alison covers this very nicely. Two options that I find very useful are saying something when they first interrupt you:




              I've only got 5 minutes to talk, and then I need to get back to work.




              and




              I'm a bit busy right now. But if you come back in 45 minutes, I should have a few minutes free.




              In other words, deflect them right off, in a friendly and polite manner. But set limits on the interruptions, so you get back to work.



              And yes, you don't want to imply that your boss needs to get back to work. These statements should not be a problem there - it's you who is busy, doing the work they want you to do.






              share|improve this answer

























                up vote
                2
                down vote













                Alison covers this very nicely. Two options that I find very useful are saying something when they first interrupt you:




                I've only got 5 minutes to talk, and then I need to get back to work.




                and




                I'm a bit busy right now. But if you come back in 45 minutes, I should have a few minutes free.




                In other words, deflect them right off, in a friendly and polite manner. But set limits on the interruptions, so you get back to work.



                And yes, you don't want to imply that your boss needs to get back to work. These statements should not be a problem there - it's you who is busy, doing the work they want you to do.






                share|improve this answer























                  up vote
                  2
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  2
                  down vote









                  Alison covers this very nicely. Two options that I find very useful are saying something when they first interrupt you:




                  I've only got 5 minutes to talk, and then I need to get back to work.




                  and




                  I'm a bit busy right now. But if you come back in 45 minutes, I should have a few minutes free.




                  In other words, deflect them right off, in a friendly and polite manner. But set limits on the interruptions, so you get back to work.



                  And yes, you don't want to imply that your boss needs to get back to work. These statements should not be a problem there - it's you who is busy, doing the work they want you to do.






                  share|improve this answer












                  Alison covers this very nicely. Two options that I find very useful are saying something when they first interrupt you:




                  I've only got 5 minutes to talk, and then I need to get back to work.




                  and




                  I'm a bit busy right now. But if you come back in 45 minutes, I should have a few minutes free.




                  In other words, deflect them right off, in a friendly and polite manner. But set limits on the interruptions, so you get back to work.



                  And yes, you don't want to imply that your boss needs to get back to work. These statements should not be a problem there - it's you who is busy, doing the work they want you to do.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 3 hours ago









                  thursdaysgeek

                  27.9k1349107




                  27.9k1349107
























                      up vote
                      2
                      down vote














                      There's also the thing about him being my team leader, I feel like I
                      can't use the "I am really busy" line because it would imply that he
                      doesn't have anything to do...



                      I want to keep a cordial professional relationship. How can I
                      communicate all this without being rude?




                      You are being silly avoiding the "I am really busy" line. It's not implying anything, nor is it rude.



                      Something like "I'd love to chat, but I have to get back to my work." or "Good talk, but now I really need to get back to [whatever task you were doing]" should work if repeated often and consistently.






                      share|improve this answer

























                        up vote
                        2
                        down vote














                        There's also the thing about him being my team leader, I feel like I
                        can't use the "I am really busy" line because it would imply that he
                        doesn't have anything to do...



                        I want to keep a cordial professional relationship. How can I
                        communicate all this without being rude?




                        You are being silly avoiding the "I am really busy" line. It's not implying anything, nor is it rude.



                        Something like "I'd love to chat, but I have to get back to my work." or "Good talk, but now I really need to get back to [whatever task you were doing]" should work if repeated often and consistently.






                        share|improve this answer























                          up vote
                          2
                          down vote










                          up vote
                          2
                          down vote










                          There's also the thing about him being my team leader, I feel like I
                          can't use the "I am really busy" line because it would imply that he
                          doesn't have anything to do...



                          I want to keep a cordial professional relationship. How can I
                          communicate all this without being rude?




                          You are being silly avoiding the "I am really busy" line. It's not implying anything, nor is it rude.



                          Something like "I'd love to chat, but I have to get back to my work." or "Good talk, but now I really need to get back to [whatever task you were doing]" should work if repeated often and consistently.






                          share|improve this answer













                          There's also the thing about him being my team leader, I feel like I
                          can't use the "I am really busy" line because it would imply that he
                          doesn't have anything to do...



                          I want to keep a cordial professional relationship. How can I
                          communicate all this without being rude?




                          You are being silly avoiding the "I am really busy" line. It's not implying anything, nor is it rude.



                          Something like "I'd love to chat, but I have to get back to my work." or "Good talk, but now I really need to get back to [whatever task you were doing]" should work if repeated often and consistently.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered 3 hours ago









                          Joe Strazzere

                          239k117698996




                          239k117698996






















                              Aurinxki is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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