158
votes
How to tell a colleague who always apologizes for noise, that his apologies are more annoying than the noise itself
If the biggest problem you have in your work life is that a guy comes in 2-3 times per month and apologises for something he doesn't need to apologise for, count your blessings and just get on with ...
- 115k
150
votes
Accepted
How to tell a colleague who always apologizes for noise, that his apologies are more annoying than the noise itself
"There is no need to apologise. The meeting room is for having meetings. I don't even notice any disruptions. Hope the meeting goes well."
You do this each time.
If they don't get the idea, ...
- 60.6k
71
votes
How can I deal with having an open-door policy when I'm extremely sensitive to noise?
Their solution is to use normal headphones and listen to music
That would perhaps be fine if you just had an aversion to noise, and who doesn't, but given the impact that background noise has on you ...
- 59.4k
66
votes
How to tell a colleague who always apologizes for noise, that his apologies are more annoying than the noise itself
This man is likely disturbing you for one of two reasons:
He needs that short social interaction.
OR
Because apologizing is easier for him than dealing with the guilt of not apologizing.
One ...
- 1,851
65
votes
Accepted
Is it okay to whistle while at the office?
Short answer: In general, no it's not appropriate in an office setting.
While you may feel that the sound of your whistling is quiet and not displeasing, it is by nature a piercing sound that can ...
- 46.7k
54
votes
Accepted
Headphones at max volume, but coworkers' casual conversation for 4-5 hours a day is still audible
Please do not try to drown the noise with loud sound on headphones, that will damage your hearing permanently...
Providing a 'sensible' and comfortable work environment is up to your company, if ...
- 459
46
votes
How to tell a colleague who always apologizes for noise, that his apologies are more annoying than the noise itself
“Hey, my bro/dude/esteemed colleague, I have noticed you are taking this disturbance very seriously. This is very kind of you and I appreciate that, but it also troubles me that you worry this much. ...
- 570
42
votes
Open office space - complaints for noise - how to respond
That's one typical problem with open office culture. Someone's communication is someone else's distraction.
So, let's analyze the situation: Someone requested you to change the level of your voice, ...
- 73.8k
35
votes
What to do about an intern constantly disturbing work-flow and bothering?
He's 19. He doesn't have much work experience.
Your role as his colleague is not only to help him to develop his skills but above all to teach him what is acceptable in professional contexts and what ...
- 22.9k
32
votes
How to tell a colleague who always apologizes for noise, that his apologies are more annoying than the noise itself
Be direct, but polite:
"Hey Bob, thanks for the apologies, but your meetings don't really bother me, I hardly notice the noise. If you could please stop apologising every time I'd appreciate it ...
- 3,213
31
votes
How can I deal with having an open-door policy when I'm extremely sensitive to noise?
One thing I used to do was wear earplugs under normal headphones. If you get passive noise cancelling headphones this has a pretty significant impact. I did this often even if I didn't listen to music....
- 111k
31
votes
Accepted
Boss plays loud music affecting my concentration. How do I take this up with him?
Why not just ask the boss? Maybe he doesn't realize that his music is too loud for the others. Don't assume that just because he is a boss, he is necessarily a jerk. Before using earplugs, headphones ...
- 47.3k
29
votes
Accepted
Shared Office Space - Noisy Team
Does this get covered in contracts with the open space provider?
Maybe, but what matters is the contracts for your shared workspace. The first step is to review those, and understand what they say.
...
- 20.1k
27
votes
Accepted
How can I politely ask my colleague to mute their PC?
The problem with unspoken rules is that nobody knows they exist unless told about them. The whole situation might clear up with a simple:
Hey, it's sort of an unspoken rule to have your machine on ...
- 35.7k
25
votes
Colleague brought a loud mechanical keyboard
Ask her to stop using the keyboard.
It is really the only option. You are prevented from working optimally because the keyboard is distracting. She cannot work optimally without that keyboard ...
- 4,281
22
votes
Accepted
Fire alarm will be tested during Skype interview. Should I ask to reschedule?
What should I do?
You have several options. You could well take the interview elsewhere, some place where you can take the interview without issues.
Now, if this is not possible, I suggest you tell ...
- 83.7k
21
votes
Is it okay to whistle while at the office?
Making noise that stands out from the ambient noise level is obnoxious. If you work in a mall, then no one will care. If you work in a library, then you will aggravate people around you. The break ...
- 5,239
20
votes
Shared Office Space - Noisy Team
You should query the office space management / representatives.
I work in such a space, and they have rules in the contract regarding using the call booths for long conversations and keeping the ...
- 2,043
18
votes
How to tell a colleague who always apologizes for noise, that his apologies are more annoying than the noise itself
I think you have no choice but to get increasingly explicit about your wishes. I find that a lot of people just won't parse even slightly ambiguous or diplomatically-phrased requests. For example, ...
- 6,657
15
votes
How to silence a noisy typer
He has no idea what a nuisance he has become to you, so any idea that involves bringing in HR or his manager is overkill at this stage.
There is going to be nothing more effective than having a quick,...
- 7,947
15
votes
How to tell a colleague who always apologizes for noise, that his apologies are more annoying than the noise itself
Can you close your door? A closed door generally means that you do not wish to be disturbed and would reduce any of the noise anyway.
- 149
14
votes
How to move away from my coworker without offending him
There are empty seats behind me, I could sit there, but what reason to
give? How to justify it?
Just do it.
If this person even bothers to ask you, just tell them "I was afraid I might be ...
- 85k
13
votes
Accepted
How to move away from my coworker without offending him
There are empty seats behind me, I could sit there, but what reason to give? How to justify it?
Chances are that you can just go a sit there and people will not be asking you for reasons why you did ...
- 83.7k
13
votes
How to prevent colleagues from knocking on my table when walking by
Ask management for a simple partition be be placed at the side of your desk because people going around the corner crowd your desk and it's distracting. This is a very sensible use of partitions - to ...
- 7,823
13
votes
Headphones at max volume, but coworkers' casual conversation for 4-5 hours a day is still audible
The marketing people in the area next to you are paid professionals at work. Disrupting the office with raucous laughter and shouting is not professional.
I recommend politely and professionally ...
- 425
11
votes
Managing office temperatures in shared office
Biology rules in this case.
You can always get a heater or put on more clothes if you are too cold, but the options are limited if you're too hot, and that's how you can begin to approach it.
I'm ...
- 160k
11
votes
Accepted
How to ask for workplace (internship) accommodations due to autism?
As an Aspie with similar issues to loud/busy environments I feel your pain!
However you're running into things that are going to be pretty common in your career and are difficult to accommodate "...
- 110k
10
votes
How do I explain that the open office is impacting my productivity?
A lot of companies are moving towards an open office, and I have faced some of the problems you have mentioned. It is simply too loud for me as well to work effectively. You may talk to someone about ...
- 2,306
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