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Do you have a Chatterbox?

Have you ever had one of those employees who insists on chatting to everyone at every opportunity? A client had this issue with an employee - and whenever needed to leave her desk, whether to go to the printer or to go for a break, she would chat to everyone along the way. Not only was she not working, she was stopping others working as well.

While it is good to see people integrating with others - there are limits - so our client asked what she could do.

I had to agree that it was unacceptable for her to become a chatterbox and disrupt everyone. I therefore advised that a quiet (but clear) conversation, away from other, would be appropriate.

The conversation can explain you have noticed how well she is getting on with the team. This brings you on to the reason you have asked to speak to her. You have seen her frequently chatting to other on the way to the printer and on many other occasions (it may be a good idea to have some examples ready). Tell her that it is great she has good social skills, but when she constantly stops by for a chat, in effect, not only is she not woking she is stopping them working as well.

You are also concerned that by interrupting people when they are working, they might see this as a nuisance. It could be annoying if they are in the middle of something and then lose their train of thought. This could lead to mistakes or tasks taking longer.

Explain that you do not want her not to speak to them, a passing smile, hello or good morning is fine. Encourage her to save her chats until break times or outside of working hours.