I work in a Cube Farm, I’m sure like many of you do. Even though I may have an "office" the walls do not reach the drop-down ceiling, and I can hear every single conversation. Normal chatter does not bother me, its just another form of white noise that I have come to live with. I do however get very annoyed with my immediate neighbors.
To my left are two full-time consultants. They are in the office 80% of the time. When they are gone, things are peaceful, but when they are in, things get very noisy. They are constantly on the phone, or babbling to each other or suppliers. The hard part is they are both French-Canadians, and when they speak French, it cuts through the office ambiance like a klaxon.
My right-hand neighbor has a "the sky is falling" attitude, and everything that comes across his desk, he must comment on, and never in a positive manner. He can never start any work without discussing the real and his perceived issues surrounding his work. I think his opinions are way off base, and he is ill informed. He has not demonstrated the ability to whisper. I think his vitriol has a strong chance of infecting others, and affecting morale.
I only feel comfortable in turning up my computers speakers to a level that isn’t quite enough to drown them out completely. I fear since others don’t have the luxury of speakers at their cubicles, they are also dealing with this audible assault. I’ve tried talking to our Department Head, but the issue is written off as, "Well, that’s just the way they are" or "Buy a set of headphones."
How have or would you handle this situation?
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
To my left are two full-time consultants. They are in the office 80% of the time. When they are gone, things are peaceful, but when they are in, things get very noisy. They are constantly on the phone, or babbling to each other or suppliers. The hard part is they are both French-Canadians, and when they speak French, it cuts through the office ambiance like a klaxon.
My right-hand neighbor has a "the sky is falling" attitude, and everything that comes across his desk, he must comment on, and never in a positive manner. He can never start any work without discussing the real and his perceived issues surrounding his work. I think his opinions are way off base, and he is ill informed. He has not demonstrated the ability to whisper. I think his vitriol has a strong chance of infecting others, and affecting morale.
I only feel comfortable in turning up my computers speakers to a level that isn’t quite enough to drown them out completely. I fear since others don’t have the luxury of speakers at their cubicles, they are also dealing with this audible assault. I’ve tried talking to our Department Head, but the issue is written off as, "Well, that’s just the way they are" or "Buy a set of headphones."
How have or would you handle this situation?
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
