How Do I Deal With a Creepy Coworker? – The Counseling Corner

Every Thursday we highlight a problem from a listener. We give our advice and ask other listeners to offer advice. Welcome to the Counseling Corner.

Dear Brain & Courtlin,

I'm having some trouble at work involving a coworker. There's this guy that I work with, we'll call him "Greg," that is just a little bit creepy. He hasn't done anything that I would have to report to HR, he just makes me incredibly uncomfortable. He does a lot of little things, like comment on and like EVERYTHING I post on social media, he stands way too close and sometimes pats me on the back when he talks to me, he's over-complimentary, and he has a bit of a staring problem. Sometimes when I'm in my cubicle working he will come over to say hi, and then he won't say anything else. He will just linger in the doorway watching me work.

I'm not the first person to comment on these actions, there are several other people in the office who feel the same way that I do. He is a nice guy, and I would never be rude to him, but it's gotten to the point where a lot of us in the office find ways to avoid him because the interactions are so awkward. Do I just deal with things the way they are? Or is there a way to handle the situation without hurting his feelings?

"Lisa"