Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS There is a gal that sits next to my cubicle at work, and she has become buddies with the A/P manager. They chat ALL DAY LONG. The girl in my department has been talked to about it, so now the two of them chat like no tomorrow when my boss is at lunch or on the other side of our building. That way she doesn't get in trouble. It is very annoying, because since a very important part of my main job is collecting money, I am on the phone constantly competing with their yacking. I've mentioned it to the boss once or twice, and she says that she will talk to them again when she sees them. That time will never come because they are very slick. Anyway, how does a person deal with this? Cubicles are not very private, and I don't need the excess noise pollution when trying to get money in so we all can get a paycheck. I can't go directly to HR since that needs to filter through my boss.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Wow, I wish we had cubicles. That is very american. Here in the UK, we mainly have open plan environments (have my whole career) and I find that very hard. I would say either take it up direct or speak discreetly with your boss. I feel for you trish.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I went from 20 years in a private office but never one to shut my door or spend a lot of time in it to a cubicle environment. I love being in a cube. Now I know that I'm only in a shared space with 3 other people but I have employees coming in constantly to ask questions, talk about work related issues with the other three, etc. However, being able to concentrate for reports and calls is really really difficult and has taken getting adjusted too. So yes, I feel for ya too Trish. That is tough when your job requires a certain level of focus and you have annoying chatter in the background. I'd be inclined to say something like - guys I know you're not busy but I am and I'm trying to focus. Can you take your conversation somewhere else. But yeah, I know I'm blunt. The next time would be you guys need to shut up. LOL!
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS <GUYS I'M ON THE PHONE!> This would be considered rude. ( I know, I know - I have to uphold a certain professional standard, while my two neighbors have free reign to talk about having gas and compare who they think is fat in the company...guess who gets targeting in THAT conversation...) I have *politely* popped my head into the cubicle advising that I can't hear my customer. That action resulted in retaliation by perfuming themselves to death, knowing that I have allergies.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lisa, I have always liked you, and now I like you a little more ;-) I really struggle to concentrate with noise because essentially I am nosey and lack self discipline.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Ok - now that we know all that - these people are idiots 999. Really! Seriously! I'd keep at my boss to take action. Man, as a Director this really hacks me off.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Yeah, I know it's hard Dave. I find myself sucked into conversations business related that waste my time and I get know of my own work done. ;>
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo and as an Assistant Director, I think I would read them the riot act. But Lisa has seniority, so I bow to her experience!
Originally Posted By Kira I deal with this everyday at work! Whenever my team of 16 teenage girls get going there is no stopping them...until I shout at them to drop and give me 20 push-ups. It gets their attention. Too bad you can't do this in your office My only advice would to be basically nagging your boss about it until something is done. Best of luck!
Originally Posted By LPFan22 Keep at your boss. Ask to be moved to another cube. Ask to have one of them moved to another cube. Log your verbal requests and file a formal complaint. Just keep bugging the boss!
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS All good advice. I wouldn't dare tell them to do pushups, though, cause then I'd have to hear a 30 minute conversation about how their hair got messed up. I'll keep reporting it. It all sounds so childish, but if I don't get my job done, we really won't get paychecks. I wasn't kidding about that. All the money I collect is company wide. It pays our rent, our payroll, our bonus, our medical, you name it. I'd really like to know the owner's take on me not doing my job because of two silly women.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS I got a nice bonus this year because of my work ethic. If they screw that up for me next bonus time, heads will roll. They don't call me Haunts for nothing...
Originally Posted By ImaDLFan Haunts have you tried a single earplug? They make really soft ones these days and they work wonders. I use them at work a lot in our machine shop but also when my DH whose, desk is right next to mine, is talking on the phone. For some reason, probably he's half deaf from working in a machine shop, but he talks really loud on the phone so I pop in an earplug in the ear that isn’t next to my phone and it helps. I would keep at all the above suggestions but in the mean time an earplug helps.
Originally Posted By murfsmom how about saying"i know I'll have a job next week,will you ??? and then put the ear plug in !!! LOL
Originally Posted By JOEY__WHOAH my office is pretty relaxed in this regard and I just pop my head up and tell them to shut up. You could say something along the lines of: 1. Its gotten colder in the office now that the mouth fans were installed 2. They should really see a doctor about the jaw flapping problem 3. Diarrhea of the mouth is no laughing matter You can also start making random noises that will bug the heck out of them. I also have found that making up a song about an annoying co-worker does wonders. Just something quiet and to yourself but someone will catch on. You can also start calling them P.A. "Hey whats up PA? Hows it going PA?" They will get the hint. But eventually you end up having to get right in their face and tell them to shut the heck up cause your trying to work.
Originally Posted By JazzCat First of all, keep a log of when they talk. If your boss fails to do anything, take it to Human Resources.
Originally Posted By Ursula Hi, Now, I'm NOT saying where this idea came from because,, well, because it would betray some vows I took. Can you think of something to hide under their chairs? An egg Some stinky car freshener Fart powder
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS Let's review, shall we? Ear plug. Check. (The girl is on vacation today but I'll try it tomorrow.) Let them know I'll have a paycheck alot longer than they will. Check Log everything. Check. Already in place. Mouth fan deactivation. Check. Pepto for the mouth. Check. Jingle ribbing the coworker. Working on that right now. Something like: Super Glue, a little dab'l do ya! Stinky item. Denied. How will that help when I'm right next to them? Ew! Great idea, though if we ever get our seats reassigned.
