Work place habits

Oh no, Sabre, the computers are taking over the world!!!!!!

My old laptop used to do that...something to do with me spilling a whole glass of red wine over the keyboard! Had to buy a new one!

A new laptop or a new glass of wine, Sis? What a waste!

Oh yes I agree Jazzj, this used to happen quite a bit in my old office, grr.

Ah yes Fruity, brown-nosers have got to be right up there with the worst of them.

I once worked in an office where when a certain member of staff arrived earlier than yourself you knew she was there the minute you opened the outer office. I have never smelt such a terrible smell which made you bork and put you off your lunch ever.

When I worked as a manager for a large retail company, I had staff begging me to deal with this young man who was very scruffy and absolutely stunk! I spent ages trying to plan how to tackle it with him without hurting his feelings, and then in the end, I just took him off somewhere private and told him nicely but bluntly! The next day he came in looking immaculate and smelling lovely. He eventually became a manager himself! :-)

Yes all of those as well Snoopy. What's the one about
"people hate blow by blow jobbies" ? Not heard that
expressed like that in the "office". !!!

Titter ye not, Sabre, as Frankie Howard used to say. We used to have a contact at another office called Mrs Blow and people would phone here up and say ... 'Hello, Mrs Blow .. job going okay?'. That's actually true but as I say, titter ye not.

It's difficult to 'not' titter Snoopy. Mrs Blow.... really ???
I just know I would have a hard job keeping a straight face....

Sabre I forgot about the smokers!! If they had to stay later to make the time up I'm sure they wouldn't need a cigarette quite so often!

Well, I smoke, and I go outside in my coffee break and have one cig, never in work time, and I'm a volunteer and not paid. Am shocked that those that are in paid jobs get away with that!

Lol wojtek, I think I've come across each and every one of them in my time, pillocks for sure.

Gosh that came from the heart wojtek. I've met them all too.
Especially when there was a big typing job and we had manual typewriters then and they would disappear to the
toilet. Got crafty though and left it at the top for them to
do on their return!!!. If you can't beat them join them.
Enjoy your weekend

Hey, nothing wrong with a clockwatcher!

You're paid to do a certain number of hours and shouldn't feel pressured to do extra.

It depends, G-Man, on whether you're paid to go to work, or paid to do a job, and there is a very clear difference.

When I first started work in a junior role, I was clearly paid to go to work, so nine to five was fine, and there was even overtime pay sometimes.

When I became a manager, I was paid to do a job. Sometimes I would have to work very long hours, but sometimes if there wasn't much going on I would take the afternoon off to go to the hairdreser or go shopping. So long as the job was done, my time was my own as I was responsible for what I did and achieved.

I guess it depends on the employer - all too often you're expected to be at your desk during certain periods (so can't take time away) as well as getting a job done :(

It depnds on your job, G-Man. Obviously if you're working in a call centre or a typing pool (showing my age now!) you have to be at your desk for the prescribed hours. But if you're a manager you will expect to work very long hours sometimes for no extra pay, and be able to take the odd afternoon off when your department is runing smoothly and there isn't anything new happening.

This kind of situation requires direct but diplomatic confrontation ... there is no other way. And it needs intervention from a manager, not a work colleague, to be effective.

I have seen this situation in my own office and managerial intervention can work wonders. Sure, it hurts feelings but it's rarely long term..

Anyway, there is nothing worse than an office chatterbox spouting blow by blow jobbies all day .... we all know it sucks!

The trouble is Snoopy that my friend has worked in a top position for a millionaire for thirty-four years and I worked in the office with her many year's ago and having also worked in local Government together knew we would work well together but this woman is the worst person she has ever has worked with. The problem is my friend used to have a lovely office of her own but some dick head decided to have an open plan office which is terrible. This woman constantly talks about her family; perfectly ok in moderation but not continually every minute detail. The trouble is also she is a good worker so my friend couldn't complain about her work which she gives her to do but this constant chattering drives her nuts.

I think the problem is that being a good worker is of little consequence when she is being invasive of other people's attempts to work well at the same time and your posting makes that clear. If there is no managerial intervention possible, and I still maintain that is the way to go, then she should simply and quietly approach her work colleague and state 'look, I have some important work for the Chairman to deal with today and while I love our chats, I do have to really knuckle down and concentrate on this and won't be able to respond or listen in at the same time, so perhaps we could chat towards the end of the day when it is more convenient?' ... perhaps finish off with a smile and 'would you like a cuppa before I get started?' may also help.

The woman just has to be made aware that people are paid to work and the playground is for after hours!

To get a higher level of management involved is bound to cause upset so firstly I think that your friend just has to face up to saying something along the lines that Snoopy has suggested. She is not a good worker if she is disturbing others. I would find it impossible to concentrate on a project with someone else talking, I used to find it irritating when others where on the phone let alone talking to me!

Oh, Sabre, openplan offices are a real curse.

Having had a private office for years, we moved to a new location where we just had a floor of the building with five foot high screens round the desks.

The noise level was appalling, and it was impossible to have a private conversation with a colleague, a supplier or a subordinate.

I once had to sack somebody in the hearing of everybody else. I certainly would not have liked that to happen to me!

I would suggest a polite few words in the morning along the lines that Snoopy suggests..'I'd love to hear but I must get this done, perhaps we could chat after work?' while crossing your fingers firmly behind your back and hoping she doesn't take you at your word after work.......... :)

He probably fancies you, Summer! :-)

My goodness Summer how on earth do you cope with him? You must be more tolerant than I am as I would be having a word with him. It must be awful having someone sniffing round you. I find him asking you personal questions to be obnoxious. I wouldn't speak to him at all and he may then get the message. I think I would be looking for another job rather than work with him. Can you be transferred at all. Good luck I think you need it.

That's a shame Summer! I would subtly let him know he is annoying you. When he makes a comment just say "what is it with you and you smelling things? Has anyone ever told you it is irritating?" If that doesn't work just have a word with him and let him know he is the same age as your father and your father oesnt behave like him! That would soon shut him up! Good luck!

I'd challenge each and every comment he makes about you (in a jokey way at first), he has no right! Serena's got the right idea I think1

Thanks Jazzj. I was thinking if I was in Summer's place that is how I would handle it...

Yes me too, I'd do it jokingly at first I think, after all she has to work with him, but if it had no effect, it'd definitely be a direct and quite blunt approach. Not right to be unhappy at work, it's a big part of your day!

It does seem Summer has been putting up with it for a while...
I think I'd be going for it now! Maybe he thinks he's in with a chance a girl half his age. You know how some guys think they're being cool but come off being tw**s!

I've met a few of those!

Ain't we all, lass! Isn't it any wonder with so many around....

Thanks for all the messages of support. It's nice to know I'm not going mad and that other people can see how annoying it is. I think next times he starts sniffing I'll hand him a tissue and tell him to blow his nose!

Nice one, Summer!

Go for it summer!

Thats what to do! Put him in his place.