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Keeping a Job
Supervisor Interactions

Work Related Interruptions

Someone may interrupt you to ask a work-related question or to make a comment about your work.  If you are in the middle of a task and someone interrupts you for work-related reasons, you need to stop what you are doing and respond to them. Why

Quick Questions - If a co-worker asks you questions like these, you usually need to help them right away: Video

Checkmark"Where’s the bathroom?"
Checkmark"Can I borrow a pen?"
Checkmark"Where’s the vending machine?"
Checkmark"What time is our meeting?"
Checkmark"Could you hand me that stapler?"

If a co-worker asks questions like these and you are feeling very busy, you can usually ask them to wait: Video

Checkmark"Can you show me where the copier is?"
Checkmark"Can you email me that report?"
Checkmark"Can you help me move these boxes?"
Checkmark"Can you show me how to do this task?"
Checkmark"Do you have the TPS report?"

Work Related Interruptions Cue Card
Printable Work Related Interruptions Cue Card

 

icon of clock How long should a co-worker wait for your assistance?  Every situation is different, so there is no perfect rule.  In most cases, you should not make a co-worker wait for longer than 5 minutes.  Think about it from your perspective, how would you feel if you asked a co-worker for help, and then you had to wait for an hour?  Wouldn’t that make you feel frustrated?