Co-worker's personal discussions

[Evil Genius]

I work in a company that has great privacy cubicles. 6 foot walls, sliding glass doors the works. You can still here what is going on in other cubicles and in the aisles. On Monday, a new person moved in next to me. She's usually pretty quiet except for when she makes personal calls. She is really LOUD!! I know I'm not the only one that can hear her. Well, this morning she made a call and things got a little "personal" I was pretty embarrassed to be a captive audience to it. Now, do I say something to her, my supervisor, an anonymous note??? Help!!!

 

[JKMastalski]

Has this happened alot? Did the "personal" stuff only happen today? If it did, i would wait until it happened again. Then I am not sure what I would do. I am the type of person that it wouldn't bother because I am NOSY! But if it bothers you, I would probably just speak to her on the side or leave her a note or email. I probably wouldn't go to the supervisor because then you might her her in trouble.

 

[salmoneous]

Send a note to your supervisor/department head asking them to send a note to the entire department reminding them that you all work in close quarters and people need to be respectful of their neighbors, especially when discussing non-work-related matters. No need to explain to the supervisor what prompted the request.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Send a note to your supervisor/department head asking them to send a note to the entire department reminding them that you all work in close quarters and people need to be respectful of their neighbors, especially when discussing non-work-related matters. No need to explain to the supervisor what prompted the request.

Shotgun management rarely works. The people who it is meant for never get it.

 

[Maleficent13]

Echoing what Miss Jasmine said. I bet she would be grateful to you if you did let her know directly in a friendly fashion. I know I would be.

 

[mickeyboat]

Shotgun management rarely works. The people who it is meant for never get it.

I agree! Nothing irritates me more than when someone calls in the whole office staff to address a concern that is focused on one person.

I would kindly let your new co-worker know that the walls are thinner than she thinks.

Denae

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I agree with the posters, who've said to make a friendly comment that you can hear her conversations, is the best route.

I know I'd appreciate it! There's no need to go into details - I might even wait a day just in case it was really, really personal, so as not to embarrass her.

Who besides me, is wondering just how personal this conversation got?

 

[hentob]

So...what was she talkin' about?

 

[misskrystal]

Try making a loud (but not personal) phone call, then go to her and apologise for being so loud, because everyone knows how thin the walls are!

Hopefully she'll realise that if she can hear you, you can also hear her and will learn to keep her private calls private.

 

[CathrynRose]

Who besides me, is wondering just how personal this conversation got?

Me!

 

[Evil Genius]

Hmmm...how do I put this without getting kicked off the DIS. She was discussing her marital relationship. (or maybe I should say the lack thereof)

 

[MoniqueU]

Rather then trying to get someone in trouble, I would let them know I could overhear their conversations.

 

[Maleficent13]

Hmmm...how do I put this without getting kicked off the DIS. She was discussing her marital relationship. (or maybe I should say the lack thereof)

Is THAT all?? Heck, my department covers that before coffee.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Is THAT all?? Heck, my department covers that before coffee.

Mal, it's now my turn. OMG that is exactly what I was thinking when I read that post.

 

[mickeyboat]

Mal, it's now my turn. OMG that is exactly what I was thinking when I read that post.

Evil Genius - Don't come to work here, either.

Then again, I have been working here for over 10 years. If a new person suddenly joined our conversations, I would feel pretty uncomfortable.

Denae

 

[Evil Genius]

It's just that no one else here has these types of discussions. Either with co-workers or on the phone. It seems that we must be a pretty uptight group!!

 

[ktglads]

Start to comment back over the wall, especially during a more embarassing moment. If she says anything, just say that you thought she was talking to you. Its passive agressive, but it may work without ruffling too many feathers

 

[Poohnatic]

Walk up, welcome the new person and introduce yourself. Then tell her, "By the way, if no one's told you, the walls have ears"


suzanne

 

[Tigger_Magic]

If it bothers you, say something. I wouldn't go to my manager with something like this. A friendly approach with a smile should work. I would be direct -- "I'm sorry but I cannot help but overhear your personal calls. I'm not trying to eavesdrop, but it's difficult not to hear them. In the future you may want to lower your voice some because the sound can easily travel a long way in our office." Beating around the bush rarely works. This person may be oblivious to what she is doing. (Or she may be doing it on purpose -- who knows?)

 

[Nemo Mom]

I work in a "cube office." When we have someone new, I always give them the same speech. I tell them to please speak up when having a personal conversation because I am all about their business and I don't have the energy to get up and come over every time they are whispering on the phone. I also get involved in their conversations and verbally join in. It is a great system, so I don't understand why we don't have many people taking personal calls...