I’m in a challenging work environment where I share an office space with my supervisor.

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Elaine Varelas provides guidance and suggestions to help address your concerns.

Q.  I share an office with my manager, a woman with a lot of nervous energy, who also talks to herself. She is a workaholic too and the leadership at our law firm has had to force her to take PTO. As an empath, I’ve now developed a nervous tic in my eye as I absorb her nervous energy. This even happens to me outside of work. I’m concerned about the long-term effects of this situation on my health. What strategies can I employ to protect my well-being and maintain a positive work environment?

A.  Sharing office space is a challenge, but it’s even a greater challenge when you report to the person whose space you share. Your situation highlights the importance of workplace etiquette and the need for awareness of how one’s behavior can impact others. People need to be aware of others in their office space and how their own behaviors impact them. Whether it’s unconscious habits like humming when you’re working, eating foods that might be considered offensive or loud, or having lengthy personal conversations with others in person or on your mobile, it’s important to be mindful of those around you focused on work and the impact you may have on someone who shares your space and doesn’t want to share more than that.

The inability to recognize that there are other people in your space suggests a lack of self-awareness. Hopefully, you will reach out to Human Resources with your issue, explain your challenges, and let them know that this physical workspace isn’t working for you. Without throwing too much shade at your manager, let them know that you can be very accommodating in terms of any other space that you’d be willing to take. Be professional and focus on finding a solution rather than criticizing your manager. I’ve seen people accept broom closets before having to share space with another person.

As hybrid and shared workspace and hoteling become more prominent in the return to office push, organizations need to create and implement a set of suggested guidelines when it comes to office sharing etiquette. It’s important to outline what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable behavior regarding sharing office space. Any behavior that creates a physical manifestation such as a tic needs to be addressed immediately. And hopefully that will happen for you once HR is aware of the issue.

Guidelines should first include not coming into the office sick. Coughing and blowing your nose in the confines of a shared office is not acceptable. The list might include not microwaving food in the office space as smells can permeate the space, whether it’s fish or popcorn, and can be bothersome to an effective workplace. Another guideline might involve using headphones when playing videos or music on your laptop. Even things such as wearing strong perfume or cologne or burning candles during the workday might trigger headaches for colleagues so it’s best to go easy. For those who use the Hoteling system to reserve workspaces, respect your colleagues’ reservation times.

HR doesn’t want to be the office police. But what they do want is to ensure a respectful, positive, and healthy workspace for people when they’re in the office. Don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself in a professional manner to create a more positive and productive work environment that doesn’t involve an eye tic.