doubleohfive
Fleet Admiral
I've been real frustrated lately with a co-worker and thought I'd solicit advice on what I can do to make my life a little more sane.
I won't focus on her job performance because that I not the real issue. The problem is the coughing. The incessant, never-ending coughing fits. She's worked for us for about 8 months so it's not a temporary thing. I'm sure it's smoker's cough... She has a deep husky voice and while I don't think I've ever seen her smoke, other colleagues mention that she reeks of nicotine.
My office is directly across from hers so I hear it all the time. Every 5 to 10 minutes, she'll have a fit. In between are moans, sighs, groans, ouches, and every other conceivable rude noise.
I have tried listening to music with headphones. That helps. I can't close my office door all day because we are supposed to keep them open to be welcoming to our colleagues (who, with few exceptions, I really like). I don't think asking her to knock it off would help since she's probably incapable of holding back the physical reaction.
I've considered asking to move but the reality is that our building is full to capacity. And my boss wants to keep our department close (naturally) and from what I understand the coughing is heard down the entire aisle so moving wouldn't help much.
I guess I'm just venting but suggestions for blocking the noise out or learning to mentally process it without getting angry would be appreciated. It truly is a distraction that makes me less productive.
I won't focus on her job performance because that I not the real issue. The problem is the coughing. The incessant, never-ending coughing fits. She's worked for us for about 8 months so it's not a temporary thing. I'm sure it's smoker's cough... She has a deep husky voice and while I don't think I've ever seen her smoke, other colleagues mention that she reeks of nicotine.
My office is directly across from hers so I hear it all the time. Every 5 to 10 minutes, she'll have a fit. In between are moans, sighs, groans, ouches, and every other conceivable rude noise.
I have tried listening to music with headphones. That helps. I can't close my office door all day because we are supposed to keep them open to be welcoming to our colleagues (who, with few exceptions, I really like). I don't think asking her to knock it off would help since she's probably incapable of holding back the physical reaction.
I've considered asking to move but the reality is that our building is full to capacity. And my boss wants to keep our department close (naturally) and from what I understand the coughing is heard down the entire aisle so moving wouldn't help much.
I guess I'm just venting but suggestions for blocking the noise out or learning to mentally process it without getting angry would be appreciated. It truly is a distraction that makes me less productive.
