I enjoy most of my co-workers but one of them is so loud and talks too much. Whenever she comes over to talk to people near me it's distracting and annoying. Her shrill voice and loud laugh are obnoxious. I think others are bothered by it. How should I get her to stop?
First thought: keep Club Buff open and leave this page on your phone at your desk and walk away. I wonder if anyone is nosy enough to come by and look at what's on your screen while you're away.
As much as I love doling our sarcasm and passive-aggressive snark, it’s different in a workplace. If you’re the grumpy grouch stopping the fun you could quickly become the outcast of the office.
At the same time, if others are bothered by it, there’s strength in numbers. People might think the mature thing is to politely say something to the loudmouth – and they might be right – but that’s what bosses are for. Or HR. You don’t have to be the bad guy. Go to the authority figures in the workplace because it’s their responsibility to deal with what’s happening around the building. If someone’s disruptive and it’s hindering your work, that’s something the powers that be need to know about and address.
Will you feel like a snitch? Maybe. You’ll get over it. And then you’ll get your way so there’s not much of a downside for you.
There's probably a way you could report it anonymously. Slide a note under the boss's door. Create a fake email address and email your boss and say you don't want to feel like a snitch but it's something they need to know. If you do it professionally, it'll likely be taken seriously.
Having given my serious suggestions, I can’t help but share what my initial thought was. When she’s being loud and annoying, shoosh her discretely. Meaning, do it loud enough so everyone will hear you but not know where it’s coming from. Look around with everyone else and react in shock like they do. Chances are, someone’s going to remember being shooshed and it’ll later sink in that they were being disruptive. Will it have a lasting effect? Only one way to find out!