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One compounding problem is that (in my experience) we haven't worked out socially acceptable ways to negotiate noise levels in offices. I.e., it's not always c

One compounding problem is that (in my experience) we haven't worked out socially acceptable ways to negotiate noise levels in offices. I.e., it's not always clear what the standard is that everybody is expected to meet, and there's no risk-free way of asking somebody to be quieter. And so, in addition to anger at the noise itself, we also have a recipe for simmering resentment and impotent rage.

derekbreden 7y ago
At one previous job, during a 1:1, boss was pressing for anything I would change about the job, anything that could be improved. I had said no nothing several times, and so I replied in what I hoped would be understood as jest, “I guess Billy’s gum chewing”. “Have you talked to him about it?” “It’s really not a problem” “Well I could sit you farther away from him, but we don’t have any open desks on this side of the office, do you want to sit on the other side by yourself?” “I didn’t mean that, I’d rather keep my desk.” “Well I don’t know what you expect me to do about it.” “Well that went downhill fast.” - I did not say out loud. I got the vibe I wasn’t the first to bring it up, and perhaps others had been less ambivalent towards the interruption. I like my dead pan delivery of ridiculous statements. I had not considered the ramifications of that one being taken seriously, nor that it might be.
growlist 7y ago
It's the job of the organisation to tackle this via policy - I've worked at companies where the policy is that if a conversation is anything more than a few exchanges, it should be taken to a meeting room, and everyone is required by policy to point out to others if they've forgotten the policy and strayed into a long open conversation by mistake. It worked well. Same company had a rule about holding onto the handrail when using stairs, and not walking with drinks that don't have a lid on. And everyone is expected to point that out when others do it too. When everyone buys in it works well, and people thank you when you do point out that they aren't following policy. I'm normally pretty juvenile and rebellious to rules like this, but when it's done sensibly and sensitively - and when the benefits of following the rules are obvious - even I will conform without complaint.

derekbreden 7y ago

At one previous job, during a 1:1, boss was pressing for anything I would change about the job, anything that could be improved. I had said no nothing several times, and so I replied in what I hoped would be understood as jest, “I guess Billy’s gum chewing”. “Have you talked to him about it?” “It’s really not a problem” “Well I could sit you farther away from him, but we don’t have any open desks on this side of the office, do you want to sit on the other side by yourself?” “I didn’t mean that, I’d rather keep my desk.” “Well I don’t know what you expect me to do about it.” “Well that went downhill fast.” - I did not say out loud. I got the vibe I wasn’t the first to bring it up, and perhaps others had been less ambivalent towards the interruption. I like my dead pan delivery of ridiculous statements. I had not considered the ramifications of that one being taken seriously, nor that it might be.

growlist 7y ago

It's the job of the organisation to tackle this via policy - I've worked at companies where the policy is that if a conversation is anything more than a few exchanges, it should be taken to a meeting room, and everyone is required by policy to point out to others if they've forgotten the policy and strayed into a long open conversation by mistake. It worked well. Same company had a rule about holding onto the handrail when using stairs, and not walking with drinks that don't have a lid on. And everyone is expected to point that out when others do it too. When everyone buys in it works well, and people thank you when you do point out that they aren't following policy. I'm normally pretty juvenile and rebellious to rules like this, but when it's done sensibly and sensitively - and when the benefits of following the rules are obvious - even I will conform without complaint.