Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy’s own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?
I work in an open-plan office and my desk is beside my project manager, who is also my line manager. We generally get along well and he is good at his job.
However, he has a number of mannerisms and personal habits that I find really irritating.
I am aware that I am sensitive to these things and have done my best to arrange my work environment so that they impact me as little as possible. But some things are difficult to overlook.
He tends to pound the keyboard, rap his knuckles on the desk and click his fingers. I realise these are nervous mannerisms and generally he comes across as stressed, which also concerns me. But it is all day, every day, and as a member of the team, I therefore feel stressed as well. So despite my best efforts, it gets to me.
I often put headphones on but that is antisocial and makes me feel left out of the office environment. I do take regular breaks, but I can’t simply walk away from my desk each time his mannerisms distract me.
How can I raise the issue as I don’t want to offend him or harm our generally good working relationship?
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.
