Why Does My Coworker Avoid Eye Contact – 16 Reasons

Why does my coworker avoid eye contact? Maybe they’re not a very social person. Perhaps they’re shy.

Or, maybe they’re just trying to stay focused on their work and don’t want to be distracted by conversation.

16 Reasons Why Does My Coworker Avoid Eye Contact

It can be frustrating when you’re trying to converse with someone, and they won’t even look at you.

There are a few possible explanations for why your coworker might be avoiding eye contact.

1. They Are Shy:

Shyness is one of the most common reasons why people avoid eye contact. If your coworker is shy, they may feel uncomfortable looking at you.

They would instead look at the ground or somewhere else. And unfortunately, this can make it seem like they’re not interested in what you’re saying.

But, if you know that your coworker is shy, try to be understanding. Don’t take it personally if they don’t look at you.

You can still interact with a shy person; you might need to be more patient and understanding.

Some ways to interact with a shy person include:

– Starting the conversation yourself

– Asking questions that can be answered with a yes or no

– Encouraging them to share their opinions

2. They Are Trying To Stay Focused:

In today’s work environment, it can be challenging to stay focused. With so many distractions, some people have difficulty focusing on one thing.

If your coworker tries to stay focused, they may avoid eye contact. This way, they can better concentrate on their work.

It’s nothing personal; they’re just trying to stay productive. And you can’t blame them for that.

If they’re avoiding eye contact because they’re trying to stay focused, there’s not much you can do.

Instead, give them some space and try not to distract them. They’ll probably appreciate it.

3. They Dislike You:

This one is a little less common, but it does happen. If your coworker avoids eye contact, it could be because they don’t like you.

There could be several reasons why they don’t like you. Maybe they think you’re bossy, or perhaps they just don’t enjoy your company.

Or, maybe they’re just jealous of your success. Perhaps they feel you’re always getting the credit for their hard work.

If this is the case, it’s probably best to ask them. You might be surprised by their answer.

But, if they don’t want to talk about it, there’s not much you can do. Just try to be cordial and avoid any conflict.

4. They Have Social Anxiety:

Social anxiety is a real thing. It can make it very difficult for people to interact with others.

If your coworker has social anxiety, they might be afraid of being judged. They may feel like they’re being stared at or that people are judging them.

This can make it difficult to interact with them. But, if you know they have social anxiety, try to be understanding.

Some ways to interact with someone who has social anxiety include:

– Scheduling regular check-ins

– Giving them a heads up before meetings

– Asking open-ended questions, etc.

You can refer a coworker with social anxiety to therapists if you think they might benefit from counseling.

5. They Are Not A Very Social Person:

Some people are just not very social. They’re not necessarily shy or anxious; they don’t enjoy social interaction.

If your coworker is not very social, they may avoid eye contact. This way, they can avoid any awkward conversations.

There’s not much you can do if your coworker is not very social. You can try to engage them in conversation, but they may not be interested.

It’s probably best to respect their wishes and leave them alone.

6. They Are Feeling Sick:

If your coworker is avoiding eye contact, it could be because they’re feeling sick. This is especially true if they’re also avoiding physical contact. 

When sick, people often have difficulty looking others in the eye. They may feel nauseous or just generally unwell.

If your coworker is sick, the best thing you can do is to give them some space. They probably don’t want to be around people right now.

You can also offer to help them out if they need it. But don’t push them to do anything they’re not comfortable with.

7. They Are Trying To Avoid A Conversation:

There are some conversations that we don’t want to have. Maybe it’s a difficult conversation, or perhaps it’s just an awkward one.

Either way, if your coworker tries to avoid a conversation, they may avoid eye contact. This way, they can avoid any interaction.

If you’re trying to avoid a conversation, the best thing you can do is just to let it go. If they don’t want to talk, there’s not much you can do.

Just respect their wishes and move on. Also, try not to take it personally. They’re probably just not in the mood for a chat.

8. They’re In A Bad Mood:

Having a bad mood can make it hard to interact with others. If your coworker is in a bad mood, they may avoid eye contact.

This way, they can avoid any awkward conversations. They may also be afraid of saying something they’ll regret.

If you know your coworker is in a bad mood, the best thing you can do is to leave them alone. They probably don’t want to talk to anyone right now.

You can also try to cheer them up if you think they’d appreciate it. But don’t push them to do anything they’re not comfortable with.

9. They Did Something Wrong To You Behind Your Back:

Guilt can make people avoid eye contact. If your coworker did something wrong to you behind your back, they might feel guilty about it.

As a result, they may avoid eye contact. They may also avoid talking to you or interacting with you.

If your coworker did something wrong to you behind your back, the best thing you can do is to confront them about it.

Let them know how their actions made you feel. This way, they can apologize and make things right.

10. They Have A Secret:

Secrets can make people feel guilty. If your coworker has a secret, they don’t want you to know what they’re hiding.

It can be related to work, or it could be something personal. If they have a secret, they’ll probably avoid eye contact.

If you think your coworker has a secret, the best thing you can do is to ask them about it. They may not want to tell you, but it’s worth a shot.

You can also try to get them to open up by sharing your secrets with them. This way, they’ll feel more comfortable confiding in you.

11. They Are Afraid Of You:

People sometimes avoid eye contact because they’re afraid of the other person. This is usually due to a power dynamic. 

For example, if your subordinate avoids eye contact, they may fear you.

The best thing you can do is to try to put them at ease. This can be done by speaking calmly and kindly.

You can also try to build a rapport with them. Get to know them as a person. This way, they’ll feel more comfortable around you.

12. They’re Disinterested In The Conversation:

Sometimes, people avoid eye contact because they’re just not interested in the conversation. They may be bored or have something else on their mind.

If your coworker is disinterested in the conversation, the best thing you can do is to try to make it more interesting.

You can do this by adding your own personal stories or by asking questions. You can also try to make the conversation more fun and lively.

13. They’re Thinking About Something Else:

It’s not uncommon for people to think about something else while talking to someone.

If your coworker thinks about something else, they may avoid eye contact.

This is because they’re trying to focus on their thoughts, not the conversation.

If you think your coworker is thinking about something else, the best thing you can do is to ask them about it.

This way, they can share their thoughts with you. And you can help them to focus on the conversation.

14. They Messed Up:

If you gave your coworker a task and messed it up, they may avoid eye contact. This is because they feel guilty and embarrassed about their mistake.

The best thing you can do is to confront them about it. Let them know how their actions affected the work.

Then, work together to come up with a solution. This way, they’ll feel better, and you can avoid future mistakes.

Also, don’t forget to give them credit when they do something right. This will help them to feel more confident and motivated.

15. They’re Being Manipulative:

Sometimes, people avoid eye contact because they’re trying to manipulate the other person.

For example, they may try to get you to do something for them. Or, they may be trying to make you feel guilty about something.

If you think your coworker is being manipulative, the best thing you can do is to call them out on it.

Let them know that you’re onto their game. This will usually put an end to their manipulative behavior.

16. They’re Having A Bad Day:

Sometimes, people avoid eye contact because they’re having a bad day. They may be feeling down or stressed out.

If you think your coworker is having a bad day, the best thing you can do is to offer them your support.

You can do this by lending a listening ear or by offering words of encouragement. You can also try to cheer them up with a joke or do something nice for them.

Final Word:

There are many reasons why people avoid eye contact. And, as you can see, some of these reasons are more serious than others.

If you’re worried about your coworker’s behavior, the best thing you can do is to find out why.

Once you know the reason, you can take the appropriate action.

Last Updated on 12 hours by Shahzaib Arshad