What can I do at work to help someone when they work better when someone else is nearby?

Short answer

Offer optional co-working, regular check-ins and access to clarification without turning them into surveillance.

What this can look like

Some staff may benefit from a predictable time to clarify a blocker or work alongside someone, without wanting constant oversight.

Why it can happen

Some people work better with a nearby colleague or predictable point of contact. A good team makes support available without making anyone perform dependence.

What might help

Offer office hours, optional co-working and regular check-ins. Keep participation voluntary and focus on the work, not a person’s traits.

What the research helps explain

Executive-function research describes attention, working memory and flexibility as limited, context-sensitive processes. Australian work guidance recognises that cognitive demands, time pressure, role clarity, support and control can shape whether work is manageable.

What can vary

Do not infer a diagnosis, capability level or private health information from a work pattern. Ask about the task conditions, provide equitable options and handle performance concerns fairly.

For this situation

For you, make check-ins useful: blockers, decisions and support—not proof of busyness.

More info and original sources

Poko summarises the relevance of public original sources and links out for anyone who wants to read more.

• Executive Functions — Explains attention, working memory and flexibility in goal-directed tasks.
• Job demands — Australian guidance on cognitive demands, role clarity, workload, control and support.