Editor 's note : CNN.com has a business partnership with CareerBuilder.com , which serves as the exclusive provider of job listings and services to CNN.com . ( CareerBuilder.com ) -- Work ca n't get much worse than when it stinks -- literally . For Stephen Viscusi , work stinks everyday . `` I work near an executive ( woman ) that does work out at lunchtime , '' Viscusi says . `` She returns smelling like body odor and Chanel No.5 . It does n't cut it . '' Rather than let his co-worker continue smelling up the office , Viscusi , author of `` On the Job : How to Make It in the Real World of Work , '' took the high road and told his colleague she had a small problem . He says the sheer embarrassment motivated her to not only shower , but not to take it personally or hold a grudge . `` Never be afraid to confront annoying co-workers head on , '' Viscusi says . `` Remember they are peers , not the boss . '' There 's ( at least ) one annoying co-worker in every office . Whether it 's the chatty-Cathy , smelly-Steven , tag-along-Tammy , or just `` that guy , '' difficult co-workers ( unfortunately ) are the standard in the workplace -- not the exception . Most difficult co-workers are oblivious to their nightmare behavior . Avoiding them is out of the question . If you do make a comment , they stare at you like you 're from the moon . Your feelings have been building up for months -- maybe even years -- and it 's time to do something about it . You can either pull your hair out over their obnoxious behaviors -- or , you can deal with them accordingly . Define the Problem ( aka `` Co-worker '' ) In `` The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook : Work '' ( Chronicle Books ) , Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht describe four possible types of co-workers . The Talker ... just wo n't shut up ; engages in long-winded , one-sided conversations on relatively trivial subjects ; and always has something to say about something ( or someone ) . The Kiss-Up ... craves approval mostly from the boss , but will also seek approval from you . The TMI ( Too Much Information ) ... has no boundaries and no shame . He/she will share every piece of unpleasant and personal information with you , without sparing a detail . The Gossip ... much like the TMI , will share any and every story -- as long as it 's not theirs . Carly Drum , a workplace etiquette expert with New York-based executive search firm Drum Associates , offers these tips if a co-worker is annoying you : . Tip No . 1 : Take a break . When you are spending more than 40 hours per week indoors with the same people , something is bound to bother you , Drum says . `` Everyone is going to have some sort of mannerism that bothers you , whether they crack their gum too loud or just hold their pen wrong . '' Drum says . Step outside for a breath of fresh air or run out to get a cup of coffee , she suggests . `` It 's human nature to get bothered by the little things , so just accept it and take a break ! '' Tip No . 2 : Be mentally tough . Do n't let another colleague 's bad habits hurt your concentration and productivity at work . Drum suggests ignoring him or her as best you can and limiting your daily interactions with them . `` If career advancement is important to you , then always try to act professionally in the workplace regardless of what an annoying co-worker might do , '' Drum offers . Tip No . 3 : Discuss the problem with your co-worker . ( ... In a non-judgmental , non-confrontational way of course ... ) Drum agrees with Viscusi that you should n't be afraid to say something to your co-worker . Depending on what the behavior is that 's bothering you , it never hurts to approach your co-worker for a friendly little chat , Drum says . `` Co-workers sometimes do n't notice they are doing something really annoying because it 's just by habit , '' Drum contends . `` By saying , ' I do n't know if you noticed but ... ( insert issue here ) ' -- a reasonable co-worker will usually be receptive to your feelings . '' Tip No . 4 : Talk with your supervisor . If the friendly and polite one-on-one does n't work ( or turn out to be so friendly ) , another option is to bring up the issue with your supervisor . `` From a managerial perspective , a difficult employee who is insensitive to other co-workers can poison a workplace environment and severely impact inner-office morale , '' Drum says . `` Effective supervisors know how imperative it is to nip problems like this in the bud as soon as they arise . '' E-mail to a friend . Copyright CareerBuilder.com 2009 . All rights reserved . The information contained in this article may not be published , broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority . Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com . She researches and writes about job search strategy , career management , hiring trends and workplace issues .
The Talker just wo n't shut up ; engages in long , one-sided conversations . The Kiss-Up craves approval mostly from the boss . The TMI has no boundaries and no shame The Gossip will share any and every story -- as long as it 's not theirs .