How To Tell A Coworker You Don’t Want To Hang Out
One of the most awkward conversations you can have at work isn’t actually work-related. Telling a co-worker you don’t want to hang out outside of work is difficult especially because you normally have only a few seconds to react.
You don’t want to hurt their feelings or make them feel like you don’t like them (even if that’s the case). But you really don’t want to go because you know that there’s no real friendship here, and it will be a waste of time for both of you.
You like things the way they are, why can’t they be like this forever? Why do things have to change?
Establish You Have No Time To Hang Out From When You Join The Company
The best way to avoid ever hanging out with work colleagues is by letting them know from the jump you’re a busy person with no free time. Tell them you have a partner, kids, friends, hobbies. Anything that will take up all of your time and you can’t get out of.
If you’re busy then people are less likely to ask you to hang out, and if they do they’ll likely plan it in advance which will give you time to think of an excuse and cancel. But if they hit you with short notice arrangements, you can block their attempt immediately.
