Q re silly office politics

[evedawn]

I love my job. However, it is the office politics I hate.

I work in an open plan office with a group of women. I get on okay with most of them but I sit all I am near the group that is the worst in terms of sh**stirring. (it is unbeleivable and they are so "clever" about it)

However, Im just getting so peeved with it all, (even though I try not to join in the gossip I can hear it nonetheless... and it is draining me....I feel bogged down by their constant backstabbing of others.

tomorrow I plan to ask my manager if I can move to a quieter part of the big open plan office

I do not want to name names or dish dirt ...theres no point in that I beleive. ...but I need to know how to convince him to let me move desks.

I plan to be honest and say that I find it difficult to work in that environment but decline if he asks me for names etc...

any other ideas on how to get my desk moved appreciated...

[Barmaid]

That's not really office politics, that's good old fashioned bitchiness.

Could you say that you are finding it difficult to hear customers/etc on the phone? Failing that, could you wear headphones with an ipod/radio?

You could say you have an infectious disease!!! (Sorry!)

[scoobydooh]

or get another job

[evedawn]

Yeah barmaid I DID think about saying it was noise level etc but thing is it's not really a noisy office. And I do wear earphones some of the time (audio typing) it's just geneeally unpleasant to be near this group...
they are all pretty intelligent and "classy" women and at first you think butter wouldn't meal in their mouths but..wht vipers!

[evedawn]

Scooby ... I don't want another job... I LOVE my job. I love EVERYTHING about my job except the backbiting... Anyway backstabbing happens in just about any office...it's just because it is open plan and because of where I sit it is hard to avoid and it is sapping my energy big time.

[scoobydooh]

well only one option left then !! ask your boss for a move, and tell the truth why you require he or she to move your desk position elsewhere. scoob

[Barmaid]

If you manager is understanding, I suggest a fairly "open" chat with him (without naming names) just saying, you love the work, but you can't stand the constant childish bitchiness and ask if it is possible to move.

However, the consequences of such a move is said group may turn their attentions to you (unfortunately).

Best of luck!

[evedawn]

yeah maybe simple office honesty is best ...im sure my manager will ask me to name names. Do you think it is okay if he asks to say to him that I dont want to get into specifics of "who, what, where and how" and just tell him I'd rathger not get personal. I'm sure if I move I will be at the receiving end but I'm confident enough in how I do my job to not to really care... I just don't want to hear them gossip all day. I personally have more than enough to occupy my work day... (busy, busy!) I don't know where they find the time to gossip so much. THANKS FOR ADVICE :)

[Nibble]

Some people find it really difficult to work in an open office environment - I know I do.

[evedawn]

My sympathies nibble ....its not great open plan though it COULD be.... there are alot of advantages such as open lines of communication etc... I Think the problem (at least where I work) is everyone seems to take too much time analysing how others work (we all work for seperate consultants as medical secs) instead of only concentrating on what works best for them. Do you still work in an open plan office or have you moved elsewhere?

[ladybirder]

Your boss will probably have a good idea who you are referring to without naming names. If you are asked I would say you are not there to get anyone into trouble, you just want to move to a quieter spot.

[The-HouseHusband]

I would go along with the barmaid here (and i have listened to a few!!). Just be calm with the manager and don't get drawn down to the level of these women and name names as that is not needed!! Hopefully your manager is more interested in your work than the gossip.

[China Doll]

You don't sit near me do you? ;oP I work in an open plan office with other medical secretaries, my side of the office seems to be ok but the amount of crap and gossip I hear on the other side (particularly from one quarter who seems intent on keeping a running commentary on what she's doing) is quite astounding. I'm relatively quiet at work in that I mostly just crack on with everything and I'll have a chat during ciggie or lunch break but I'm not really there to have fun. I actually like where I sit and the people around me so mostly it doesn't bother me but every now and then (usually when doing figures) I've had to tell my manager to get people to be quiet or else I'll tell them myself.... I'm not as polite as my manager ;o) (and she's pretty grumpy and untactful so that IS saying something).

[jno]

the running commentary, CD... that's sort of what the FB/Twitter generation does, I feel. The bizarre (to me) assumption that the whole world needs a moment-by-moment account of your life. I suspect this will increase in years to come. There's a lot to be said for collaborative chat about how to tackle a job but the people I worked with (all old farts like me) kept their personal details for the pub, where everyone could pretend not to be able to hear them.

[lardhelmet]

It's the Planners who get on my wick by standing in the middle of the central aisle banging on about some insignificant crap, so full of their own importance they keep looking around to see if anybody's listening to their inane drivel. They so love the sound of their voices & they usually choose to have a deep & meaningful at the end of our bank of desks when I'm trying to do figures). I'd just love one day to have the bottle to say "Will you shut the f... up - some of us are trying to work here!"

[China Doll]

jno - the woman in question is ten years older than me! There's something not right with her, she literally tells you exactly what she's doing at all times and very loudly... she's also got no people skills and can be very moody. She's actually incredibly efficient but just a bit... erm.... 'manic' I think would be a suitable word.

[jno]

oh, premature second childhood then, CD. Or just a bit bonkers. Must be a pain to work with.

[China Doll]

I'm pretty good at filtering background noise (worked for ladbrokes for a lot of years) but every now and then I could happily put a bic through her eye. Usually when doing the monthly figures. She has a very loud voice, it's really quite irritating.

It's a shame because I think she has a good heart and is in no way a bad person but she definitely has some issues. It's also sad that I notice how much nicer the office is without her (although I tend to keep that little gem to myself) in terms of peace and a more relaxed atmosphere.

[Canary42]

Why don't you just sing at the top of your voice - a new "quiet" rule would soon be introduced for the office (no reflection on your singing intended).

[jno]

CD, a friend was telling me how the Daily Telegraph does things. All the staff are split into small work units. When pay negotiation time comes round, the company tells everyone what the pay rise (if any) will be - and announces that everyone will get it... except for one person in each unit. Everyone votes on which member of their unit will miss out.

The Weakest Link approach to industrial relations.. somewhat divisive, but if they'd done that in my office, everyone knows exactly who would have been voted out. Maybe yours too.

[China Doll]

Harsh! She's actually very efficient (as she keeps everyone informed I do know this for a fact), and she has a kid and is a single mum so even if that sort of thing came in I would probably ask to be the one not getting the money as I'd feel mean, I don't have children to support. <<< That had better not taint my hard as nails persona!

I get told off for humming sometimes let alone singing! :c)