[Utopian3161981]

I started a job 6 months ago and work with a girl who seems to be a bit off. She always stares very intensely at other people and never says anything. She stands very uncomfortably close to other coworkers, behind them, next to them, etc., and never says anything, just stares and listens. She eavesdrops on other people's conversations and reads over their shoulders on computer screens. She's very socially awkward and we all think she has some type of disability or diagnosis that we don't know about. It's becoming very uncomfortable for all of us. The eavesdropping and invading on people's conversations as well as inviting her self places with some of us, and always standing so close to us it's creepy and very uncomfortable. It gets to the point where she stand so close to co-workers that we literally run into her on a daily basis, bump into her, bump into her while we have food in our hands going on our breaks, step on her, etc. and she doesn't say anything, just stares at us when we run into her. It seems as if she doesn't understand where to draw the line and anything about privacy or giving people space, boundaries, etc. It's become a very serious problem and we all feel very uncomfortable and creeped out. We don't want to say anything to our boss because we're pretty sure she has some kind of diagnosis and don't want to create a problem but the behavior is becoming intolerable and extremely creepy. The work environment has become on edge and uncomfortable while she's at work. Some of us actually have a diagnosed anxiety disorder and we like our space without people staring at us or breathing down our necks and when she's at work, work has become intolerable for some of us. What should myself and others do about this individual? Is there any possible diagnosis for this behavior that we don't know about?

[ArchieAus]

No idea...but reminds me of something . Worked in a company that had this Austrian HR woman . Whenever she talked to me she would slowly inch closer and closer until she was right inside my bubble . It was all I could do to not start walking backwards . I would lean back and she would then move even closer . Very weird .

[seesaw]

I know you don't want to mention it to your boss, but you would actually be doing her a favor to do so. If he is aware of her diagnosis, if she does have one, he can gently talk to her about professional boundaries and coach her on more appropriate workplace behavior. It doesn't really matter if she has a diagnosis or not, and we really shouldn't try to diagnosis people over the internet as none of us are doctors or know her personal medical and psychiatric history, but there is no reason you shouldn't simply bring this to the attention of your supervisor just as you would if you didn't think she had a disorder. The behavior is not excusable simply because mental illness is involved.

As someone with a disorder who works full-time, if a co-worker has an issue, I do not mind if they feel they need to bring it to the supervisor's attention rather than confront me directly. Especially if they are unsure how to do so. Also it is helpful to ask the third party to intervene to keep things calm.

I wouldn't feel so worried to talk to your boss about it. I would phrase it as kindly as possible when you talk to your boss. You could even mention that it gives you anxiety, so as to frame it in how it is affecting your work performance to have a coworker invading your personal space.

Good luck!
Seesaw