Dear Eric: I work in an outpatient center where I, along with a few others, see multiple patients (lactating parents working on feeding their babies). On my lunch break, I choose to close the door, put my feet up and close my eyes for 30 minutes. Several times, a coworker had opened the door (when starting her shift, looking for an open exam room) without knocking, which caused me to startle, and we both scared each other.
We are merely coworkers – hi and bye – and nothing else. This has also happened while I am in the middle of a consultation with a vulnerable parent feeding their baby. All doors are closed during consultations. It baffles me that this has happened not once or twice but a total of six times in the last year.
The only thing I can think of to say is ,“Can you knock?” But I fear I will come off annoyed (which I am). It also makes me question this coworker’s knowledge of informed consent if she has no issue entering a room without knocking. Please, help!…