It started when I noticed this coworker lingering near my desk too often. At first I thought, “Eh, maybe just friendly.” But then came the compliments – “Your eyes are mesmerizing” during a budget meeting? Felt super awkward.
Step 1: Shutting Down Early Signals
Next lunch break, he tried cornering me in the break room. I straight up said “Let’s keep talks work-related” while packing my salad. Made sure my voice stayed flat like stale soda. Turned my whole body toward the door too – body language screams louder than words.
Step 2: Creating Space Buffer
When Slack DMs popped up asking what perfume I wore? Nope. Started taking 5 extra minutes walking to meetings so I’d arrive with groups. Purposely sat between Dave and Sarah at every table – human shield strategy works wonders.
The Awkward Escalation
Then came the “accidental” shoulder touches. Next time it happened, I froze dead and stared at his hand like it was radioactive. Loud enough for three cubicles to hear: “Please don’t touch me.” Felt brutal but necessary.
Nuclear Option Deployment
When he slipped a poem in my bag? That’s when I marched straight to HR with screenshots. Told them “Fix this or I walk.” Funny how fast desk reassignments happen when you threaten lawsuits.
Key Strategies That Actually Worked
- Verbal Shutdowns: No “sorry but…” – just “stop” clear like broken glass
- Public Spaces: Never be alone with them near elevators/stairwells
- Document Everything: Texts, emails, witnesses – built my case brick by brick
- Zero Warmth Policy: Stopped smiling at them completely – treated them like spam callers
Two months later? Dude transferred departments. Boss privately thanked me for handling it without causing fireworks. Felt gross going through it but damn, standing your ground pays off.
