Avoiding the water cooler may be one way to get rid of annoying co-workers, but it won’t be that effective in the long run. Besides, you might get mighty thirsty in the process. There are other ways to better the workplace so consider these techniques for how to get rid of annoying co-workers.

Confront the co-worker right off the bat. Don’t let the problems fester. Don’t give the office gossip the opportunity to destroy your reputation. Instead, go to your colleague and say something like “you have been bothering me and affecting my work for weeks now. Please stop it.” Don’t beat around the bush. Be specific about how this co-worker has been affecting you. Give precise guidelines for how this person can improve his behavior.

Another way to get rid of an annoying co-worker is to befriend her. This might be a difficult and tough step for you, but often times the people who annoy us do so with character traits or habits that are similar to ours, traits that we dislike about ourselves. For example, being to work on time is vital in most job contexts. Talking behind someone’s back is typical in many office settings. Are the issues that annoy you in someone else the same issues you struggle with? If so, take a long hard look at yourself first.

Invite your co-worker to make the same changes you would like to make in yourself. Make it a special project and seek to build a friendship. The worst case scenario is that you’ll make huge changes in yourself and your co-worker will be bored with your plan and never bother you again. Beat the annoyer with a dose of genuine friendship. Maybe you’ll gain a friend for life.

If neither of those steps is effective in getting rid of an annoying co-worker, it is time to involve your supervisor, and possibly the supervisor of the annoying colleague. Tell her exactly why this co-worker is so annoying, what you’ve tried to correct the problem, and other suggestions you might have. Ask your supervisor if there is something else you can try, fresh ideas. Perhaps there are core values in your company that come into play in the situation.

In the process, you’ll likely be showing your supervisor that you are committed to company values. Getting rid of annoying co-workers can be an amazing and genuine positive step in your own career.