How Do You Handle Overly Helpful Co-Workers?

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Discussion Overview

This thread features participants sharing their experiences with overly helpful co-workers, particularly in a construction department at a hospital. The initial post expresses frustration with a colleague's tendency to interfere, leading to confusion and delays. Other participants relate to this experience and share their thoughts on dealing with similar personalities.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a frustrating experience with a co-worker who frequently intervenes in her tasks, causing delays and confusion.
  • Another participant humorously acknowledges the challenges of dealing with Type A personalities, suggesting that they can be difficult to manage.
  • Several users express empathy towards the original poster, sharing their own experiences with similar co-workers.
  • One participant shares a lighthearted comment about the potential for a humorous confrontation with the interfering colleague.
  • Another participant mentions the amusing reactions they receive when explaining their job in construction at a hospital.
  • Several participants engage in playful banter about local eateries and humorous anecdotes related to their work environment.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on how to handle overly helpful co-workers, with some participants expressing a desire to confront the issue directly while others prefer to vent about it. No clear consensus emerges on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

The discussion takes place among individuals working in construction departments at hospitals, sharing a unique perspective on their professional experiences and workplace dynamics.

Who May Find This Useful

Participants within the consultant community who encounter similar workplace challenges may find the shared experiences relatable.

katie0128
katie0128
Silver Member
Messages
3,484
VENT...
At my part-time job, I'm the secretary for the Construction department at a hospital. It has been years since this department had a secretary and it has taken them a long time to get used to having me here (mind you, it will be 2 years in July). I have one co-worker who often forgets that I'm a big girl and can do things all by myself and I find her "helping" me. Today I was trying to schedule a very critical meeting and was having difficulty getting in touch with someone from our architecture firm. Long story short, she decided to jump in to help (I guess) and ended up causing a delay in the getting the meeting time confirmed. But of course, she acts like she had to get involved because I wasn't getting it taken care of. However, if she had just stayed out of it, the architect would have called me back instead of calling her... which caused the confusion and delay.

She is a nice person (most of the time), but has an "I have to do it if it is going to get done right" attitue and ends up creating more work and more headaches for herself. I would love to tell her to back off, but that is just not my personality. This is not the first time she has done this to me and it is really starting to get annoying. I know she isn't doing it to make me look bad or to be mean or anything like that, but she needs to get out of the way and let me do my job. I'm GOOD at what I do... if I'm actually allowed to do it!

No advice needed, just needed to vent...
 
Hope you feel better! She sounds Type A, to be sure! Gotta love us--ahem, I mean "them!"

Hope the rest of your week is better. At least the sun is shining and it's warming up outside!

Tammy
 
7.gif
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
I know EXACTLY what you mean about Type A's... I know I should just grow a spine and go talk to her, but I think that this is what I'd end up doing...
BangHead-BrickWall.gif
. Oh well!
 
I am SO loving all the emoticons!

You never know--depending upon your approach, she may listen and take it to heart. But, you didn't want advice... :)

Tammy
 
Katie I also work in a construction department at a hospital here in Washington. I think it is too funny when people ask what I do at the hospital and I tell them I work in construction and they give me a weird look. :eek:
 
  • Thread starter
  • #8
RaggedyAunt said:
I am SO loving all the emoticons!

You never know--depending upon your approach, she may listen and take it to heart. But, you didn't want advice... :)

Tammy
Click to expand...

You can give me advice any time you want! <hee,hee>

If I did talk to her, should would listen, tell me she didn't intend to "butt in" and then promptly do it again later... that is just her personality. In two years, this is the first time it has bugged me enough to vent to anyone, so I think I'm doing pretty good!!!


pamperedpals said:
Katie I also work in a construction department at a hospital here in Washington. I think it is too funny when people ask what I do at the hospital and I tell them I work in construction and they give me a weird look. :eek:
Click to expand...

What do you do for your hospital? We just - as in we are still in our year warranty period - finished a new $150M 8-story patient tower... new CVICU/MSICU, Ortho, cafeteria, parking garage, maintenance space... the WORKS!
 
I'll bet you don't have a Wendy's in the lobby, like the other hospital in town.
splitform.gif
 
Hey, Katie, if she gets too out of line, let me know. I could make a quick hop to Cincinnati to do a little ankle-kicking. :)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #11
raebates said:
Hey, Katie, if she gets too out of line, let me know. I could make a quick hop to Cincinnati to do a little ankle-kicking. :)
Click to expand...

My knight in shining stainless steel (yet surprisingly dishwasher safe) armor! :love:
 
pamperedpals said:
Katie I also work in a construction department at a hospital here in Washington. I think it is too funny when people ask what I do at the hospital and I tell them I work in construction and they give me a weird look. :eek:
Click to expand...
Tell them you make prosthetics from concrete.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #13
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
I'll bet you don't have a Wendy's in the lobby, like the other hospital in town.

splitform.gif
Click to expand...

Nope... sure don't. But it also doesn't take you an entire week to walk the length of our hospital!
 
That's just what it took me to walk from the parking structure to the Wendy's!(If you want a Wendy's in the lobby, I know who to talk to. ;))
 
  • Thread starter
  • #15
I do NOT want a Wendy's in our lobby or cafeteria or anywhere on the grounds for that matter. We have one down the street, but I don't want any more MAJOR construction for awhile. I've had enough of HEPA filters and temporary barriers and OACM meetings to last at least for a year or so!
 
Well, you're all set for the process, then. You're just getting warmed up!(Which one is down the street? I'll have to see if I've been there.)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #17
Mongtomgery Road - near Bethesda North Hosptial, just south of I-275.
 
No, not that one.But I find it interesting that you're near a cemetery.
shock.gif
 
  • Thread starter
  • #19
Not as bad as a funeral home and butcher shop being right next door... even sharing the same driveway. I heard the butcher was really excellent, but I could never bring myself to go in to that particular store... especially after I saw a funeral procession pulling out of the funeral home and someone at the butcher changing their sign to read "Fresh Meat".
 
katie0128 said:
Not as bad as a funeral home and butcher shop being right next door... even sharing the same driveway. I heard the butcher was really excellent, but I could never bring myself to go in to that particular store... especially after I saw a funeral procession pulling out of the funeral home and someone at the butcher changing their sign to read "Fresh Meat".
Click to expand...
EWWWWWW! Gross!! I don't think I would shop there either!!!
 
Are you kiddin' me?That's my kinda place!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #22
You come to Cincinnati and I'll take you there!
 
katie0128 said:
Not as bad as a funeral home and butcher shop being right next door... even sharing the same driveway. I heard the butcher was really excellent, but I could never bring myself to go in to that particular store... especially after I saw a funeral procession pulling out of the funeral home and someone at the butcher changing their sign to read "Fresh Meat".
Click to expand...

Oh that's a good one:yuck:

And here I thought a tanning bed at the butcher shop was bad:p
 
Gee, and you gave me a rough time about Jungle Jim's!
 
katie0128 said:
What do you do for your hospital? We just - as in we are still in our year warranty period - finished a new $150M 8-story patient tower... new CVICU/MSICU, Ortho, cafeteria, parking garage, maintenance space... the WORKS!
Click to expand...

We just completed a joint venture for a 3-story medical office building at one of our hospitals, a new medical office building that looks like a ski lodge. We are in the process of expanding our Emergency, Oncology and Radiology Departments in 4-story addition, New Steam Plant, New Parent Apartments, Expanding our Uro/Ortho at the new 3-story medical office building. Those are just the new big projects.

As I am sure you are aware, there are many smaller projects we are currently working on. We just entered our new budget year and we are still waiting to see what is coming on-line for us. We do know there is a patient tower going up at one of our hospitals.
 
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
Tell them you make prosthetics from concrete.
Click to expand...

LOL! My husband was giving me a weird look. I read him what you said and he started laughing also.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set boundaries with overly helpful co-workers?

It's important to communicate your needs clearly. You can politely express that while you appreciate their willingness to help, you prefer to handle certain tasks independently. Setting boundaries can help maintain a healthy working relationship.

What if their help becomes intrusive?

If their assistance feels intrusive, address it directly but tactfully. You might say something like, "I really appreciate your enthusiasm, but I need some space to work through this on my own." This can help them understand your perspective without hurting their feelings.

How can I redirect their helpfulness positively?

Consider suggesting specific tasks or projects where their help would be beneficial. This way, you can channel their eagerness into areas that enhance teamwork without compromising your own work style.

Is it okay to decline help from co-workers?

Absolutely! It's perfectly acceptable to decline help if you feel confident in managing your tasks. Just be polite and express gratitude for their offer, letting them know you prefer to tackle this one on your own.

How can I maintain a good relationship with overly helpful co-workers?

Maintaining a good relationship involves open communication and appreciation. Acknowledge their intentions and express gratitude for their support. Regularly check in with them to ensure they feel valued, even if you’re not always accepting their help.

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