Office Politics

Co-Workers and Cubile Courtesy

by Joi

I saw a cartoon in a magazine I was reading last week that made me think. Not so much as chuckle, but at least think. The lady in the ‘toon was sharpening pencil after pencil in her electric pencil sharpener trying to drown out the Chatty Cathy or Blabbering Bob in the cubicle next to her.

Since I work from home I can pretty much control the noise around me, so I can only imagine how maddening it must be when people around you won’t just shut up. And I’m sure it makes you want to go 8 kinds of crazy when you’re working, trying to concentrate and the people around you are socializing, gossiping and laughing.

Like I said, this isn’t something I have personal experience with (My cat isn’t a gossip. Senile, yes. But a gossip, no.). I had to ask and look around for solutions to this possible puzzle. I’m a softy, so I’m excluding the one about rolling a roll of duct tape into the culprit’s office.

Here are the more subtle approaches:

  • Use headphones if your office allows it and it doesn’t interfere with your job.
  • Go to the person and tell them that you’re in the middle of something very important. Ask if they’ll help you out by being really quiet for a while. More likely than not they’ll get the hint that they’re making more noise than they realized.
  • If you’re bold enough, go to them face to face and say, “I really hate to say anything, but these walls are thin and when I’m working, I get distracted by noise….”
  • If you’re sneakier than you are bold, say, “I’ve been meaning to tell you, if I ever make too much noise talking on the phone or to co-workers, just tell me. I try to whisper, out of courtesy, and keep my personal phone calls on my own time, but if I ever mess up….”

The consensus is that the next to the last thing to do is to stay quiet and hope the offending chatterbox stops chattering.

Apparently the last thing to do is to rat them out to the boss. Everyone hates a snitch. Maybe even worse than Cathy and Bob.

Have any of you ever tackled this problem?

Also, what do you think would be the next step if you asked them to keep it down but they didn’t? Would it still be bad form to take it to a higher power?

10 Ways To Fend Off Work Stress

by Mike

I just got this in an email from Careerbuilder and I thought I’d share it with you. I’m sure, since I’m linking to them and giving them full credit, they won’t mind me sharing this well thought-out info with you guys.

Careerbuilder

Your phone is ringing, your voice mail light is flashing and you’re ignoring your overcrowded e-mail inbox to work on the presentation you will be giving in 10 minutes. Feeling a little stressed? Here are some tips to help you control that swell of panic that seems to follow you around all day at work.

1. Stop and take a deep breath. When you’re stressed, you tend to take very shallow breaths. Taking slow, deep breaths through your nose not only forces you to calm down, but it also gives your body extra oxygen to maintain your focus and energy.

2. Take a quick break. Get up out of your chair and stretch, walk down a few flights of stairs or just meander out in the hallway. This will give you a much-needed emotional and physical break from a stressful situation.

3. Organize your workspace. Come in a few minutes early one day and clear the clutter off your desk and file the project folders appropriately so you won’t have to search through heaps of paper the next time you’re looking for a particular document. Nothing is more frustrating than knowing what you need is “right here somewhere,” but you just can’t find it.

4. Walk at lunch. Make a lunchtime jaunt a regular feature in your day. It will give you something to look forward to, especially on those days when you feel you could pull your hair out.

5. Learn to laugh more. Everyone needs a release. Will you stomp around the office and complain, or will you combat those stress hormones with a hearty release of endorphins through laughter? It’s your choice. Read the comics, or tell a joke.

6. Make your environment work-friendly. Do you have a glare on your computer screen? Is it too hot in your cube? Try to fix these external factors to make your work environment the most comfortable and conducive to productivity.

7. Exercise regularly. Besides your little walking breaks at work, be sure to schedule some exercise time at home and on the weekends. You don’t need to compete in “ironman” competitions to feel the positive effects of exercise. A simple walk or bike ride around your neighborhood works just as well.

8. Take up a hobby. Do you like to garden? Work jigsaw puzzles? Always wanted to learn to play an instrument? Do whatever it takes to give your mind a break and think of something other than work.

9. Read an escape novel. Get engrossed in a good book. Nothing transports you from the ugly grips of reality to a totally different place like reading.

10. Get plenty of rest. Even little things can easily get blown out of proportion if you’re tired and cranky. Coming to work well-rested may give you the gumption you need to stare stress in the face and keep yourself from boiling over.

Copyright 2005 CareerBuilder.com

Super Bowl Ads Highlight Office Politics

by Mike

Watch for a Bud Light ad during the Super Bowl. They’re going to do a commercial where someone hides bottles of Bud Light around the office to motivate the employees.

I’d be more inclined to get motivated if the hid sleeves of golf balls, but to each their own.

Careerbuilder.com

Also, Careerbuilder is bringing back their office chimps, so watch for that one, as well.

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