I should have called out sick today....

[kwelch10377]

It is my cube neighbors birthday today (40th no less) and I will end up getting no work done because she will be on personal calls all day and have 1001 people in and out of her cube all day. This will translate into me having to sit here and listen how she celebrated her birthday this weekend and why she called out yesterday ALL DAY LONG. The only reason why she came in today is so she can get all of her birthday attention.

Even with my headphones on and my heater turned up I still can't tune her out. I thought about using my bosses office since she is on vacation, but she locked it and I can't find the admin that has the extra key.

 

[ols386]

Can you find a conference room or something like that to use for at least part of the day to get some work done?

 

[kwelch10377]

Can you find a conference room or something like that to use for at least part of the day to get some work done?

No, conference rooms are at a premium around here and unless you schedule a week in advance you are out of luck. I am hoping that the admin will be in around lunch so I can get the key to my boss's office.

 

[DaisyD]

I don't know. What's the big deal really. It's one day and some people love birthday attention. I'd wish her a Happy Birthday and be happy for her.

 

[ols386]

I can understand what the op is saying. I would have difficulty concentrating on my work if there are people coming in and out of the cube all day long, or if the co-worker is on the phone a lot, if they are talking loudly. It can make for a very non-productive day, especially if you have work that needs to be completed in a timely manner.

 

[kwelch10377]

I don't know. What's the big deal really. It's one day and some people love birthday attention. I'd wish her a Happy Birthday and be happy for her.

It is very distracting and hard to get anything done. I can deal with a normal level of distraction, but since she has gotten here today there are at least 2 other people in her cube at any given time talking to her. Right now she is on a personal call and has people in her cube. She is normally like this, but it is 10 times worse today.

I have a presentation due tomorrow and can't focus on it (hence the reason I am on the DIS) with all the comotion. I asked if she could turn it down just a notch, that lasted for about 5 minutes. I am going to end up getting very little done today, at least if I called out sick I could haven't gotten very little done in the comfort of my own house.

 

[mamacatnv]

I think you need to get over yourself. You work in a cubicle environment and you haven't learned how to tune things out?
Just my opinion but your post is very whiney, go buy some earplugs and move on.

 

[kwelch10377]

I think you need to get over yourself. You work in a cubicle environment and you haven't learned how to tune things out?
Just my opinion but your post is very whiney, go buy some earplugs and move on.

So how is my post any different from a lot of other people who complain about their co-workers? I was venting, just like so many other people on this board do and I would assume that they are all whiners to you as well. You have no idea what I put dealing with on a daily basis with this co-worker. I also work in the middle of a call center so I have learned how to generally tune things out, but there is only so much that you can tune out, especially when you are dealing with someone who spends more time per day talking about her personal life instead of working.

 

[Leajess99]

I think you need to get over yourself. You work in a cubicle environment and you haven't learned how to tune things out?
Just my opinion but your post is very whiney, go buy some earplugs and move on.

That's rude. She already stated that she had her headphones on and her heater turned up.

OP- I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. I don't agree with personal calls and visitors at work like that.

 

[lillygator]

do they not do anything for your birthday?

 

[Carly_Roach]

I think you need to get over yourself. You work in a cubicle environment and you haven't learned how to tune things out?
Just my opinion but your post is very whiney, go buy some earplugs and move on.

She's already got earplugs and the distraction is overpowering even those.

I don't know. What's the big deal really. It's one day and some people love birthday attention. I'd wish her a Happy Birthday and be happy for her.

The big deal is that some of us go to work to actually work. We make up for those who spend all day on the internet or socializing.

I hear you, OP. I live for the days when my office mate is out on vacation or sick because those are my most productive days. Best of luck getting your deadline work done. I fell for ya!

 

[kwelch10377]

do they not do anything for your birthday?

I always take off for my birthday, but we do a monthly birthday celebration and a few people from work take me out after work a few days before or after. It isn't the fact that people are stopping by to say happy birthday, it is the fact that it ends up being a 20 minute conversation with every person and she does not know how to hold a quiet conversation.

 

[kwelch10377]

She's already got earplugs and the distraction is overpowering even those. The big deal is that some of us go to work to actually work. We make up for those who spend all day on the internet or socializing.

I hear you, OP. I live for the days when my office mate is out on vacation or sick because those are my most productive days. Best of luck getting your deadline work done. I fell for ya!

I was so excited yesterday when she called out (although we still aren't sure if she actaully called anyone to say she wasn't coming in since our boss on vacation). I got so much work done.

 

[msmayor]

There are all sorts of things that can distract us from our work if we let them.

For example, access to the internet at work and the ability to be on non-work-related sites is quite the temptation to not do work...almost as distracting as someone talking when you want quiet. When things like that happen you just have to learn to concentrate harder.

 

[Carly_Roach]

There are all sorts of things that can distract us from our work if we let them.

For example, access to the internet at work and the ability to be on non-work-related sites is quite the temptation to not do work...almost as distracting as someone talking when you want quiet. When things like that happen you just have to learn to concentrate harder.

True. However, I have an inconsiderate co-worker who will wave his hands in front of my face if I'm deeply focused on my screen with my noise-cancelling headphones on. It's kind of hard to concentrate through that.

On the bright side, his reflexes are getting better and he can jump back further when I aim my chair for his shoes after he does that. I'm thinking of bringing in a squirt gun next.

 

[disykat]

do they not do anything for your birthday?

Seriously? This is what you get from the OP being irritated at not being able to get work done? That she's mad about her own birthday?

I'm with you OP. I can't even imagine going to work and not being able to get any work done. What a waste of time!

Everyone expects some distractions when working in a cubicle farm. However, it seems obvious that since you are at WORK, there should be the work getting done as well.

 

[ARLO1]

i certainly sympathize since there are days here at work when certain coworkers are out that the noise level in our office goes down by 99%. I just love hearing the same stories over and over and over again some days. (I actually keep count sometimes to see how many times the same story can be told)

 

[sbell111]

I certainly wouldn't consider burning a leave day just because there are distractions in the office.

 

[mamacatnv]

So how is my post any different from a lot of other people who complain about their co-workers? I was venting, just like so many other people on this board do and I would assume that they are all whiners to you as well. You have no idea what I put dealing with on a daily basis with this co-worker. I also work in the middle of a call center so I have learned how to generally tune things out, but there is only so much that you can tune out, especially when you are dealing with someone who spends more time per day talking about her personal life instead of working.

Your post is not different than lots of others. However, lets get to the heart of the real problem. Your "vent" has more to do with this co-worker whom you deem to be non-productive on a daily basis than it does that its her B-Day and she is getting attention. You hinted at it in your original post but here you spell it out.
Take it up with management if its an issue. Since you are in a call center I would assume that if she were that out of control that management would deal with it.
Seems like you think she is not doing her share and that is the bigger problem.

 

[lillygator]

It is my cube neighbors birthday today (40th no less) and I will end up getting no work done because she will be on personal calls all day and have 1001 people in and out of her cube all day. This will translate into me having to sit here and listen how she celebrated her birthday this weekend and why she called out yesterday ALL DAY LONG. The only reason why she came in today is so she can get all of her birthday attention.

Even with my headphones on and my heater turned up I still can't tune her out. I thought about using my bosses office since she is on vacation, but she locked it and I can't find the admin that has the extra key.

Seriously? This is what you get from the OP being irritated at not being able to get work done? That she's mad about her own birthday?

I'm with you OP. I can't even imagine going to work and not being able to get any work done. What a waste of time!

Everyone expects some distractions when working in a cubicle farm. However, it seems obvious that since you are at WORK, there should be the work getting done as well.

yes, I thought in the op it sounded a little taste of the green eyed monster.
If it is such an issue that the productivity of all the cube mates around her is compromised, why has no one said anything to the boss - or any higher ups noticed?