Re: Office Situation

Goldengate8361 · ‎01-27-2014

Buy a big pair of headphones. There's really no other answer. You'll need to develop an understanding with your cube mate.

ladyroxanne · ‎03-09-2010

you say you are sharing a cubicle with another person and have shared an office with people before. pretend you are in an office and just get on with your job! forget about everything else.

RainyDayGal · ‎03-09-2010

@Moonchilde wrote:
There seem to be two issues you have brought forward - privacy and productivity.

As far as privacy, IMO the workplace isn't appropriate for private/family cell conversations. Do those in the hall, outside or in the bathroom, or at lunch, not throughout the workday. Chances are you cubie-mate isn't going to pay any more attention to you than you will to him.

OMG Whatever you do please do NOT make personal calls in the bathroom. Even if you start out alone chances are you won't be alone for long. I think that is just about the rudest thing people do at work!

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@RedConvertibleGirl wrote:
@Moonchilde wrote:
There seem to be two issues you have brought forward - privacy and productivity.

As far as privacy, IMO the workplace isn't appropriate for private/family cell conversations. Do those in the hall, outside or in the bathroom, or at lunch, not throughout the workday. Chances are you cubie-mate isn't going to pay any more attention to you than you will to him.

OMG Whatever you do please do NOT make personal calls in the bathroom. Even if you start out alone chances are you won't be alone for long. I think that is just about the rudest thing people do at work!

In my work situation, the bathrooms are unisex and one person only.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

It is not trivial, it's a major adjustment. No one can help you with this, it's too personal. I think eventually, you will figure out what works for you. It will take time and it things won't always go smoothly. First, stop comparing this new office situation. The past is over, it's dead weight. Let it go. Right now, just focus on the work and stop thinking about real estate. As long as you have the basics. Desk, phone, computer etc etc. Set up your desk the way you want it, so that you feel comfortable. Forget about privacy. There is none in situations like that. If you must make a personal phone, take your cell phone and find a private place. Ladies room, empty conference room, hallway, out by the loading dock. You'll have to be creative. It will take a few months but eventually, you will acclimate and you and your office mate will get to know each other and adjust. Remember!!!!!! You are the new person now and how you act and relate to people will affect your acceptance into this new "community". You do not want to be perceived as being a pushy or difficult person. You need the good will of the people you work with. I would not suggest that you tune out so early in the game. You want to be approachable now. It's a new situation, accept it. Don t see problems where none exist.

Meowingkitty · ‎06-19-2010

Our office did that several years ago and I hated it. Got laid off 18 months ago and couldn't be happier. Anyway, in our office while we didn't share cubes we were stuffed in cubes so small you had to move your chair into the walkway just to open the drawers to your desk. We could hear everything and there was no getting away from it. Corporate America seems to think that all this working in an open air office is great. The younger generation loves it but then again they are used to sharing everything so nothing is private. The boss didn't want headphones so the best we could do was the radio on low. We knew about the woman two rows away and her love life, the woman next to me and all her drama, the other woman and her son. It was so toxic.

Sometimes the conversations got to be pretty interesting. We had this one manager who would ask new people if they could be a muppet which one would they be. I am serious. Pretty funny stuff at times. I never got used to it. I like my quiet work environment and this was just the opposite. I say if you can get some headphones. Just make sure if you are like me to keep your conversations quiet. You don't want others knowing your business.

faeriemoon · ‎03-14-2010

I didn't know it was possible to share a cubicle.

~What a terrible era in which idiots govern the blind.~ William Shakespeare

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

Ok - I don't understand why anyone would NEED to make phone calls from the office that are so personal and private! If I had personal business that was that personal that no one must overhear it, I would wait til my lunch break and go make that call outside. After all, you are there to work , not to be doing personal business.Personal phone calls werre absolutely forbidden anywhere I have ever worked.

missy1 · ‎03-10-2010

It really comes down to the OP needing the job. If you need the income you put up with it or adjust until you find a new one.

It's not about making personal phone calls. It's hard to talk to clients on the phone/get work done when others are listening. Not sure what type of job the Op has.

Did the Op know she would be sharing the small office cublicle, before accepting the

job?

I like my personal space, so this job would not be a good fit for me. If I needed a job badly, i would try to adjust.

I wouldn't wear headphones etc. Then it shows you are not part of the team.

I hope the Op adjusts.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

@151949 wrote:
Ok - I don't understand why anyone would NEED to make phone calls from the office that are so personal and private! If I had personal business that was that personal that no one must overhear it, I would wait til my lunch break and go make that call outside. After all, you are there to work , not to be doing personal business.Personal phone calls werre absolutely forbidden anywhere I have ever worked.

Sometimes one might have a medical issue that needs to be addressed.

My doctor's office is closed for lunch at the same time I take my lunch hour so I have to make doctor's appointments during work hours. I am lucky I am in my own private office. But not everyone is in a situation where they can just walk away and make a personal call.