If I had to guess, I’d say the odds are pretty high that you work with someone who gets on your nerves. Perhaps a woman in your cubicle takes personal calls for all to hear, or a guy plays the music he likes without consideration for those around him. It could also be of a more serious nature, such as a team member who isn’t carrying their weight, leaving you with late nights and missed deadlines.

I could go on, but you get the picture. Annoying behavior can turn a perfectly good day upside down – leaving you distracted, frustrated, and possibly less productive.

How can you keep from losing time – and your cool – when someone pushes your buttons?

1. Speak up – First and foremost, if someone is annoying you, let he or she know. In some cases, the person may not be aware their behavior is bothersome and your problem can be quickly resolved.

2. Bring in reinforcements – If the person is unwilling to modify their behavior, or in some cases, aware of it and continues despite your concern, consider bringing in a mediator to escalate the issue. This may be another co-worker or a superior.

3. Report – At this point, if matters aren’t resolved, it may be time to officially report to a superior or your HR department. After that, it’s actually their responsibility to find a solution to the problem.

4. Move on – If you try everything above and there’s no resolution, consider moving to a new position or department. If your company truly doesn’t seem to take your concerns seriously, it may be time to look for a new job.

Annoying behavior can go well beyond just “irritating”. In the workplace, it can lead to low morale among employees and loss of productivity. If you have an issue where you work, take steps today to make a change for the better.