How often do you get asked out or hit on by coworkers? You know how uncomfortable and embarrassing these situations may be if you’ve ever dealt with them. Moreover, you don’t want to appear impolite if you’re tempted to decline the offer.

The fact that politeness isn’t always enough is something you presumably already know. It’s important to remind people that their advances aren’t welcome from time to time. But what if you don’t know how to react when a coworker makes a sexual advance? Here are some suggestions from the pros on how to advise a coworker to back off in a way that won’t offend anyone. Continue reading!

1. Communicate what you mean without equivocation or vagueness.

If your coworker has made an overture toward you, it’s best to pay attention to them. Instead, tell them directly that their advances are unwelcome. Don’t make excuses for yourself; say no. If they persist, explain why you find the situation inappropriate.

It’s also important to remain calm and collected during this conversation. Avoid getting angry or defensive. This will only escalate the situation and could lead to more unwanted attention.

Don’t let your coworker pressure you into doing anything you don’t feel comfortable with

It can be tempting to agree to go out with someone who asks you. However, you may need clarification on whether you should accept the invitation. In that case, it’s better to decline politely than risk being pressured into going somewhere you don’t want to.

You might think you’ll look like a prude if you refuse to go out with someone. In reality, however, most people understand that you have other priorities besides dating. So, if you decide to turn down a date request, you shouldn’t worry about appearing rude.

2. Be ready to repeat yourself if needed.

If your coworker keeps asking you out, likely, they don’t realize that you don’t want to go out with them. Asking repeatedly means that they think you’re interested.

To avoid any confusion, it’s best to reiterate your position. For example, you could say: “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested.” Or, “No thanks, I’d rather stay home tonight.”

If your coworker insists on pursuing you, you can try saying: “I appreciate the thought, but I really need to focus on my work right now.”

This approach lets your coworker know you’re not interested in having a relationship with them. At the same time, you’re ensuring they understand that you’re not available for casual dates.

3. Be assertive, confident, and sure of your remarks.

Your coworker may not take kindly to your refusal of their advances. They may become upset, angry, or even hostile. To avoid this scenario, it’s important to remain calm and composed.

Try to keep your tone light and friendly. Speak slowly so your coworker can hear every word. Maintain eye contact as much as possible.

Avoid using words like “no” or “never” unless you’re certain they apply. These terms may come across as harsh or aggressive.

Avoid mentioning specific reasons for turning down the offer. Doing so could give your coworker the impression that you’re trying to justify your decision.

Instead, state that you don’t want a romantic relationship. Then, add that you hope things change in the future.

If your coworking is causing problems in your workplace, talk to your supervisor or human resources department. They can help you resolve the issue.

4. Be kind and polite in your tone and words.

Even though your coworker may seem unreasonable, it’s important to maintain a positive attitude throughout the entire interaction.

Remember that your coworker is just another person. Treat them with respect and kindness. Don’t get frustrated by the fact that your coworker has made an inappropriate advance. Instead, remember that they are just fellow human beings.

When speaking to your coworker, make sure that you use appropriate language. Avoid slang and curse words. Also, avoid using profanity when talking to others.

When you speak to your coworker, try to be polite. If you feel uncomfortable doing so, ask a friend or family member to accompany you. This will ensure that you appear professional and well-mannered.

Don’t let your coworker bully you into going out with them

It’s tempting to cave into your coworker’s demands. However, if your coworker continues to pursue you after you’ve told them that you aren’t interested, you should politely decline.

5. Feel free to give a brief explanation.

You don’t have to explain why you’re declining the invitation. Simply tell your coworker that you prefer to spend your free time alone.

If your coworker asks about your reason for rejecting their advances, you can respond: “That’s fine. It was nice meeting you.”

However, if your coworker seems offended, then you shouldn’t apologize. You shouldn’t say anything else. Just walk away from the situation.

Don’t allow yourself to be bullied into going on a date with someone who makes unwanted sexual advances.

As mentioned above, refusing to date your coworker is perfectly acceptable. However, if your colleague continues to harass you, then you need to stand up for yourself.

Tell your coworker that you’d rather not discuss the matter further. Then, leave the room.

If your coworkers persist in harassing you, you can report them to your employer. Human Resources departments are available to assist employees who are experiencing harassment.

Don’t take any action against your coworker without first consulting your supervisor.

Before taking any disciplinary action against your coworker, you should first consult your supervisor.

6. Be prepared for a negative reaction.

Your coworker might become angry when you reject their advances. They might even threaten to quit. In these situations, it’s best to remain calm and collected. Try to stay focused on the task at hand.

If your coworkers continue to harass you, then contact your supervisor. The two of you can work together to come up with a solution.

Remember that your coworker is likely to keep their behavior the same. Therefore, you’ll need to find ways to deal with this problem.

7. Learn to talk in a way that gets your point across while considering what others want.

To effectively communicate with your coworker, you must learn to express yourself clearly. For example, suppose you want to convey that you’re not interested in dating your coworker. In that case, you could say something like: “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in getting involved with anyone right now.”

Also, remember that you can only sometimes avoid your coworker. You may need to develop strategies for dealing with difficult people.

8. Feel no remorse for asking someone to leave you alone.

Even though your coworker is harassing you, you still have the right to tell them to stop bothering you. After all, you’re not obligated to tolerate such behavior.

If you decide to speak up, you should do so calmly and respectfully. Don’t yell or scream. Instead, try to make your voice heard as quietly as possible.

Try to remain polite, even if your coworker is rude if they become hostile, state that you don’t want to engage in conversation.

You also don’t have to explain why you’ve rejected their advances. State that you prefer to focus on your job.

If your coworker needs help understanding why you’re refusing to go out with them, you can ask for clarification.

For example, you could say, “I know we haven’t been working well together lately, but I would really appreciate it if you stopped making comments about my appearance.”

Remember that you shouldn’t hesitate to call your boss if you think your coworker has crossed some line.

9. Focus on your wants and feelings, not your actions.

When you’re feeling stressed, you may react negatively toward your coworker. This is because you feel threatened by their actions. However, you shouldn’t let your feelings get the better of you.

Instead, you should focus on your own needs and emotions. Doing so will make you less likely to lash out at your coworker.

Consider whether your coworker’s behavior affects your ability to perform your duties. If you believe that your coworker is causing problems, then you should take steps to resolve the situation.

However, you must determine whether your coworker’s actions impact your performance. In that case, you should discuss the matter with your manager.

If your coworking continues to cause problems, then you should consider talking to your supervisor about the issue. Your supervisor can help you determine whether your coworker is acting inappropriately.

If your coworking continues to affect your work, you should consider speaking to your human resources department.

Conclusion

We’ve all worked with a coworker who can’t recognize when it’s time to call it quits. Perhaps they are continually prying for information about you, or they are always attempting to pull you into whatever drama they are experiencing.

Try these strategies the next time an annoying coworker comes by your desk and starts chatting with you. And if that doesn’t work, our professional resume writers are here to help you start over at a different company.