Office Etiquette

[luv]

I browsed through all the threads and I don't think this ever officially came up as its own topic. We have what you would call an "open office" meaning there are no walls, no cubicles, no doors, just desks spaced out around the office, so you can SEE and HEAR everything.

My supervisor likes to clip her fingertails while she talks on the phone every other day. I don't pay much attention, as she is not in my direct line of sight, but it bothers the shit out of other people. Can we do anything about it? (Very small office -- about 25 people, so no "intervention" by HR or anything like that.)

[luv]

I also recently was offered another position, and have sent in my 2 week notice, should I still attend the office Christmas party (which is one week before my last day)?

[ism]

Originally posted by luv@Dec 7 2002, 02:30 PM
My supervisor likes to clip her fingertails while she talks on the phone every other day. I don't pay much attention, as she is not in my direct line of sight, but it bothers the shit out of other people. Can we do anything about it? (Very small office -- about 25 people, so no "intervention" by HR or anything like that.)
Eek. Nasty. Um, is there a way of leaving her an anonymous note that she can read while no one else is around? I know it's kind of a wussy way to go about it, but I don't know if you are close enough of a friend to give her that kind of advice. I don't think it's something you can advise on in terms of being a coworker (or subordinate in this case). Unless she tries to find out who sent it, it will save everyone (and mostly her) the embarassment.

[ism]

Originally posted by luv@Dec 7 2002, 02:31 PM
I also recently was offered another position, and have sent in my 2 week notice, should I still attend the office Christmas party (which is one week before my last day)?
Leaving a small company for another position could have created some ill will, but if you're on good terms you should go. You might need a recommendation in the future, and it's nice to keep connections. If you're feeling really bad vibes feel free to leave early, but I doubt that would happen if you forged workfriendships and have been there for more than 6 months.

[angel nympho]

Collect all her fingernail clippings and leave them in a pile on her desk.

[hormiga]

Originally posted by luv@Dec 7 2002, 11:31 AM
I also recently was offered another position, and have sent in my 2 week notice, should I still attend the office Christmas party (which is one week before my last day)?
Yes. You may need your old job back if the new one doesn't pan out. So go.

[hormiga]

Originally posted by luv@Dec 7 2002, 11:30 AM
I browsed through all the threads and I don't think this ever officially came up as its own topic. We have what you would call an "open office" meaning there are no walls, no cubicles, no doors, just desks spaced out around the office, so you can SEE and HEAR everything.

My supervisor likes to clip her fingertails while she talks on the phone every other day. I don't pay much attention, as she is not in my direct line of sight, but it bothers the shit out of other people. Can we do anything about it? (Very small office -- about 25 people, so no "intervention" by HR or anything like that.)
"I don't pay much attention, as she is not in my direct line of sight, but it bothers the shit out of other people".

Then let those 'other people' tell her that it bothers them. :huh:


"Can we do anything about it"?

But you don't pay her much attention anyway. :huh:

[hormiga]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Dec 7 2002, 03:08 PM
Collect all her fingernail clippings and leave them in a pile on her desk.
What a waste of time.

[luv]

Originally posted by ism@Dec 7 2002, 09:11 PM
Eek. Nasty. Um, is there a way of leaving her an anonymous note that she can read while no one else is around? I know it's kind of a wussy way to go about it, but I don't know if you are close enough of a friend to give her that kind of advice. I don't think it's something you can advise on in terms of being a coworker (or subordinate in this case). Unless she tries to find out who sent it, it will save everyone (and mostly her) the embarassment.
I've only been in that particular department for about 5 months, so people (the ones really bothered by it) who have been there for over a year and have never said anything because they are afraid of the wrath of Thor (as they call my supervisor) -- moody and occasionally yells at people until they cry.

Also, about that whole "open" office thing, I have another coworker who makes all her phone conversations through the speaker, which can sometimes be funny when she's yelling at people, but most the time I find her offensive and annoying and loud.

I'm so glad I'm getting out of there, I need walls....I don't care if they are cubicle walls, as long as the walls are at least up to my height....

[mrazntre]

Originally posted by luv@Dec 8 2002, 05:12 AM
I've only been in that particular department for about 5 months, so people (the ones really bothered by it) who have been there for over a year and have never said anything because they are afraid of the wrath of Thor (as they call my supervisor) -- moody and occasionally yells at people until they cry.

Also, about that whole "open" office thing, I have another coworker who makes all her phone conversations through the speaker, which can sometimes be funny when she's yelling at people, but most the time I find her offensive and annoying and loud.

I'm so glad I'm getting out of there, I need walls....I don't care if they are cubicle walls, as long as the walls are at least up to my height....
cubicle walls suck....

[luv]

How would you feel if everytime you look up, you find a co-worker staring at you or watching to see what you are doing? <_<

[iris]

I know how you feel luv. I need walls too. Other people doing stuff distracts me from my own work. If you are on good terms with your co-workers then go to the Christmas party. It's only a few hours out of your night to cinch good relations for the future. Don't antagonize your boss. You'll need references for future jobs. It's no longer your problem if you are leaving the firm. Let the others deal with it.

[mrazntre]

Originally posted by luv@Dec 8 2002, 03:47 PM
How would you feel if everytime you look up, you find a co-worker staring at you or watching to see what you are doing? <_<
would they be looking at me picking my nose, my blonde hair, or my cleavage?

[angel nympho]

Ohh, you should just annoy the shit out of the nail-clipping lady.. and when she asks you to stop whatever you're doing, tell her you'll bargain. Just pick your boogers and stick them to her desk or something.

[luv]

I went to the Christmas party and my boss stood up and told this joke:

George Bush, President of Korea, Israel's President and God were in a meeting. God tells them when the world will end.

Bush comes back to the states and says "The good news is there is a God, the bad news is he'll destroy the world"
Korea's president says "I have bad news and worst news, the bad news is there is a god and the worst news is that he will destroy the world"
Sharone goes back to Israel and says, "I have good news and great news. good news is there is a god, and the great news is all the Palestinians will die!"

Then he starts laughing...

What a jackass!!!

[ism]

Hmm the joke can be interpreted in several ways, as either anti-Palestinian or anti-Sharon (or even anti-Zionist or anti-Semitic). I took it as anti-Sharon. In any event, it is politically charged and should not have been told, even in that setting. Was he drunk?

Thanks for the update.

[luv]

The funny thing is that my boss is Jewish, a Democrat, a millionaire, and he wasn't even drunk. He also hosts many political fund raisers.

I was just sooooo mad that he would say something like that at a Christmas party (90 people). About a quarter of the people were new, worked off-site, and never seen him before. Now he just presented himself to a whole bunch of strangers (even though they are his employees) as a crazy white racist guy.

[Craig]

Originally posted by luv@Dec 21 2002, 01:49 AM
he just presented himself to a whole bunch of strangers (even though they are his employees) as a crazy white racist guy.
Well, at least it's better that he's being upfront about it. I prefer this scenario rather than the typical hypocrisy that pervades American society.

[Faithless]

How would you feel if everytime you look up, you find a co-worker staring at you or watching to see what you are doing? <_<
I'd feel like I had absolutely no privacy.

Then I'd go bonkers if I couldn't pick my nose anywhere without people watching, too. :frown: