Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Please, Interrupt Me!

Not all interruptions are bad

You’re in the middle of your shift, focusing hard and trying to complete the task at hand. And then comes the dreaded tap on your shoulder. It’s a coworker, interrupting you and breaking your focus.

Should you be annoyed? It depends.

According to research from the University of Missouri in Columbia, not all interruptions are bad. The study differentiated between two types of workplace interruptions: work related and nonwork related.

Work-related interruptions arise when a coworker asks you a question about work, such as inquiring about the status of an ongoing project or task or asking how to handle a workplace issue. These interruptions are beneficial as they lead to greater collaboration among coworkers and higher workplace engagement. They prevent you from getting too bogged down and give your brain a break.

On the flip side, nonwork-related interruptions—asking you about your weekend plans or the last movie you saw—yield no positive results.

Are you being interrupted?

•   DON’T automatically get annoyed. There may be a good reason for the interruption.
•   DO welcome constructive criticism about your work.
•   DON’T brush aside interruptions related to health and safety procedures and protocols.
•   DO be firm but kind in establishing and maintaining your boundaries.

Are you interrupting someone?

•   DO interrupt someone when you see anything that compromises health and safety.
•   DON’T interrupt a coworker to chat about your pets or weekend plans. Save it for your break!
•   DO be polite. Say, “I’m sorry for interrupting you,” rather than barging in.
•   DON’T be afraid to interject when you don’t understand something. Better safe than sorry!

Source: hrreporter.com

Please, Interrupt Me!

Are you being interrupted?

Are you interrupting someone?

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