How can I get a coworker to stop walking through my office?
Asked by galinmcmahon
We have 3 offices that pass through from one to the next. Each office has a door to the hallway. Yet my coworker insists on always walking through my office to get to the hall. Then when she comes back into the office she just about gets whiplash turning to look at my monitor. She's been here forever and she trained me but she's not a supervisor. It's annoying even when I'm actually working and not just messing around online. I don't want to get confrontational as we have a good working relationship. Also, she's not technically doing anything wrong so I can't really complain to the boss. But dang, it's really annoying to have someone literally looking over your shoulder every 5 minutes. I've tried blocking the path through my office with chairs and boxes but she'd rather squeeze through my little traps to get the shortcut rather than endure the hall. Plus, if she trips over any of my traps then I'll have to go take a pee test and that would be a bad thing. What to do? Some funny answers so far. First, I'd have to take a pee test because my sloppiness (leaving boxes in the way) caused the accident. Second, there is NO romantic stuff going on. I like my women to be not grandmothers and I prefer the gf I already have. But good idea otherwise :)

Best Answer:
Is there anyway you can rearrange your office so that you and your computer monitor are facing the door? If she is cut off quite obviously from the source of her curiosity she may stop barging in on you. At least, she won't be surprising you with her tiny visits if you can see her come in. Possibly your cologne is way too sexy? Perfume your office with garlic... :)

If it affects your work environment, I'd tell the boss. ...and why would you have to take a pee test if she trips over your traps?
Answered by rogers_andrew

Maybe she likes you and is trying to get your attention, or she is highly suspicious. Try telling your boss of this problem, and that it affects your ability to concentrate on your work. No good boss would want their employs to work less well due to such distractions. Good luck.
Answered by ScienceGurl

I think you should just take her aside and ask her why she prefers to walk through the office. You don't have to be confrontational about it - maybe she has a good reason. You can tell her that you find it distracting from your work, so that's a legitimate reason to ask her to modify her behavior if she has no real reason for taking this path over the other.
Answered by profess0r_x

Is there a door that can be closed? Why would you have to take a drug test if she trips? If she is disrupting your work environment, talk to a supervisor.
Answered by theshadow01

Well first of all please dont let on to anyone that this bothers you. Bringing attention to it could back fire on you and make you look guilty and even have your files investigated. I think I would be sitting there working and as she walked past kind of nicely ask her to come over to stand next to you so she can get a good look. You could either say hey, I just wanted you to get a really good look since this is why you always walk through my office or is it that you want my body and you think I'm sexy? Then undress her with your eyes, do a tiger scratch with your hands and growwwwl.
Answered by kssillygirl

Tell her she has her own door that leads to her office and why doesn't she act like a business person and use it. Tell her you don't go through her office to get to yours. Don't be hateful when you say it just be firm. If this doesn't do the trick, tell a higher up, I'm sure they would be more than glad to fix the problem. Good luck and God bless.
Answered by wlc87

Position your monitor so that it can't be viewed and then if there is a door, close it.
Answered by cattx01

Pepper spray.
Answered by leppardjane