Noisy Office Environment

19 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 3:48PM UTC

   Is everyone hybrid? If so, can you time your in office days to days they aren't there?

   Can you address the issue with the offenders directly? (I'm not good at that and would likely get all passive aggressive, but perhaps someone else here could recommend non-inflammatory language.)

   What about speaking with your manager or HR to work together to come up with a solution if you aren't comfortable with addressing it head on?

   What about some sort of white noise machine in your cube?

2. AnonymousJuly 15,2024 at 1:10PM UTC

   I wish I was hybrid. Unfortunately in the office five days a week. When I suggested moving to

   a different desk, manager pointed to one outside her office and I said ah, no…

   I have a co-worker who would make personal calls on speaker phone. Yes, if companies want folks in the office five days a week, a reminder about office manners would be appropriate.

3. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 4:46PM UTC

   Oh I deal with this daily. Sharing cube walls is no fun. I wear a bluetooth headset, but honestly, sometimes that doesn't block out those including managers who yell. I would definitely talk with your immediate manager and see if you can work in office when the offenders are not there, or ask she mention to the entire team, the importance of maintaining a reasonably quiet work space. Coming back from Covid was really hard for me personally as I think many of us struggled with the noise. While some of us struggle, others invite it as they can't stand quiet. It's a delicate balance. What I have been doing lately is going to You Tube, and listening to spa music, and I crank it up some so it helps block out the noise some. I'm hybrid too and only remote 2x a week. Wish I could do 5. Honestly, I don't like open cubes either. It's like hearing everything you don't want to, people sneezing, coughing, eating, etc.

4. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 5:24PM UTC

   IMO, you will need to adapt and keep wearing headphones. That's the normal. AND don't recommend 'playing their game', you can approach it professionally to with an ask of less chatter near you.

5. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 5:26PM UTC

   Is there any way to talk to your manager about being moved to a different area of the building? I can definitely relate to how exhausting it is to have to filter out the noise/distractions. I was 100% remote for almost 4 years then had to go in the office one day a week for a little while, the company has relaxed that thankfully, and I was just wiped out. I'm used to being in more quiet surroundings without people darting, yelling and in generally acting like kids.

   I think too many people have forgotten, or deliberately are ignoring office etiquette. Especially around the concept using indoor voices and being mindful of their surroundings. Just one more step in the "it's all about me and to hell with everyone else" mindset taking over society.

6. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 5:40PM UTC

   I use noise canceling headphones (not set for 100% canceling) but am always aware of those around me and they can always get my attention. So it's not like working from home but has never been a problem or caused me distress.

   I also keep my availability on my teams so if I'm tied up I put on my DO NOT DISTURB.

   It takes some managing. But if you are truly suffering I would see your doctor. There are conditions that can make you extremely uncomfortable with any sound. So just rule that out.

   I also take plenty of breaks to walk outside and decompress and manage stress. I like to take lunch outside as well. It's a really nice change of pace. I listen to meditations and soft music to and from work to help me manage my transitions.

7. AnonymousJuly 12,2024 at 2:39AM UTC

   See your doctor. You probably have a condition that makes noise so upsetting. You need to get yourself checked out.

8. E CJuly 12,2024 at 1:13PM UTC

   I think a lot of us HATED the modern office environment prior to 2020, especially the open office. One of the silver linings of the pandemic if that workers now understand that work can work for both sides, and now expect better.

9. AnonymousJuly 12,2024 at 2:05PM UTC

   White noise is excellent if it doesn't compete or "add to" the existing noise. Many small units can easily sit on or under a desk. Some have differing "noises," like waves, rain, birds singing, and even traffic. I use them occasionally. There are also "white noise" machines that are more expensive and geared toward blocking the sounds that might come through walls or closed doors of confidential conversations (often used by therapists and pastors). I know Amazon has a wide variety of products if you search on "white noise machine."

10. AnonymousJuly 12,2024 at 2:22PM UTC

    I want to add to the suggestions about white noise. White noise is best for people who can filter noise, which some with neurodivergent conditions can't. For example, if you can eventually filter out the sound of a ticking clock or outside traffic, white noise will blend with the other background noise and allow you to filter all of it. If a ticking clock is like torture, white noise most likely won't work.

11. Kristina DavisJuly 14,2024 at 4:26AM UTC

    Thanks for this comment. My office actually pumps in white noise to mute the noise of people in cubicles and it's so loud for me. I can't tune it out and it never stops. I have to listen to music in headphones to cover it up but even then it just means that I am constantly sensory overloaded for an 8hr period.

12. AnonymousJuly 13,2024 at 12:40AM UTC

    Have you spoken with your primary care doctor about your sensitivity? Maybe medical based.

13. AnonymousJuly 13,2024 at 1:33PM UTC

    I would simply ask to move and you’re unable to concentrate because of your noise seating location. I would hate sitting there too. Ask nicely it’s not a far fetched request ??‍♀️

14. Debbie HolbrookJuly 13,2024 at 3:06PM UTC

    I had a very similar situation. The team next to us had a few people who just gabbed loudly all day.

    I had amazing headphones and even put a little mirror on my desk so I could see if someone came up behind me to talk to me.

    Would send a chat to teammates if I wanted to chat with them so we could take our headphones off.

    Talked to leadership when it was too much.

15. SarahJuly 13,2024 at 9:10PM UTC

    I can relate. I have an adrenal problem, in addition to being an introvert, and am sensitive to noise. It completely exhausts me to be in an office daily. I've tried the loop earplugs and they work pretty well. It's not great though because it adds another layer of stress to limit your senses like that. Biologically, your body wants and needs to be aware of your surroundings to keep you alive. My former employer wasn't willing to help with this. If you do have a health issue, you might be able to get an accommodation. That might be fully remote (if possible) or a private office space. I was close to pursuing this until my workplace did a mass layoff. I hope you are able to find a solution!

16. CJB62July 15,2024 at 1:01PM UTC

    Following because I am in that environment five days a week. Except it is co-worker’s constant chit chat.

17. Jennifer TaylorJuly 15,2024 at 3:00PM UTC

    I'm autistic and ADHD and cannot focus in a noisy setting. When I have to be in the office, I have my headphones on the entire time. I don't feel bad about co-workers trying to get my attention. I'm accommodating myself. When I have to work without my headphones, I, too, come home completely exhausted. That is my nervous system unregulated.

    I would suggest asking to work from home five days a week and only going into the office when necessary.

18. Richard NewbergJuly 16,2024 at 2:46PM UTC

    Use noise cancelling headphones.

19. AnonymousAugust 4,2024 at 3:49PM UTC

    Honestly, it’s the worst. I sit next to someone who SCREAMS on conference calls…of which he has at least four of per day. I can hear him over by the elevators (and there are three rows of offices and the restrooms between us and the elevators. So overstimulating and obnoxious.

    I wear noise canceling headphones. It’s easy to sent a note to the team to just message you when they’re coming over so that you can be ready for them. I’m not able to move desks, but it might be worth asking your manager/HR to move you elsewhere or to ask if you can come in on opposite days from the others when possible (knowing that you might have to be there for team things)