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#Post#: 30249--------------------------------------------------
Dealing with complaints from direct reports about shared spaces
and other managers
By: Hanna Date: May 1, 2019, 10:04 am
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I'm a manager and have 2 employees that sit in a cubicle area
with other members of our extended team, including a few other
managers and their staff. I'm in an office far enough away that
I don't hear the noise or see what's happening unless it happens
while I am walking by.
They both sit near the kitchen that is used by entire floor
(about 70 people). One of the other managers who sits in a cube
near them has recently started having a daily "standup" meeting
in the kitchen, just a few paces from where they sit. They have
told me today that they are both distracted and annoyed by the
noise, etc. Also said they feel uncomfortable being in the
kitchen while there is a meeting going on there. I saw this
happen a few months ago but haven't seen it recently in person
and didn't know it started up again.
Ideas for addressing this? I guess it sounds like a stupid
question and I should just ask the guy to move his meeting to a
conference room but ... politics and personalities.... I think
he read about standup meetings in a book or something and
believes this is hip.
So I'd love to hear your thoughts.
#Post#: 30250--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dealing with complaints from direct reports about shared spa
ces and other managers
By: Aleko Date: May 1, 2019, 10:18 am
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If he thinks standup meetings are hip he can perfectly well have
them in a conference room - he just needs to stack chairs way
before they begin. But he needs to be made aware that
inconveniencing the people whose workstation is next to the
kitchen, and of course any of 70-odd people who might actually
be wanting to use the kitchen for its proper purpose, is most
definitely not hip.
#Post#: 30252--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dealing with complaints from direct reports about shared spa
ces and other managers
By: STiG Date: May 1, 2019, 10:23 am
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I think you are going to have to bite the bullet and ask the
other manager to move his meetings to a conference room. If you
want to be a little more stealthy about it, have your staff
email you when it starts and make a point of going in there to
get something.
Personally, I wouldn't have a problem going into the lunchroom
and using it for its intended purpose, even if there is a
meeting going on. In my office, people are in and out all day,
getting coffee and water, making tea, grabbing a snack, etc.
If he says something, then the response is: I'm sorry but this
is the only place where we can get our tea, coffee, lunch, etc.
Perhaps you should move your meeting to a MEETING room, rather
than the lunchroom?
#Post#: 30254--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dealing with complaints from direct reports about shared spa
ces and other managers
By: Hanna Date: May 1, 2019, 10:28 am
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[quote author=Aleko link=topic=1114.msg30250#msg30250
date=1556723899]
If he thinks standup meetings are hip he can perfectly well have
them in a conference room - he just needs to stack chairs way
before they begin. But he needs to be made aware that
inconveniencing the people whose workstation is next to the
kitchen, and of course any of 70-odd people who might actually
be wanting to use the kitchen for its proper purpose, is most
definitely not hip.
[/quote]
And ridiculously, we have a standup conference room right next
to the kitchen, with a door that closes and where the noise
doesn't carry over even with the door open.
STIG I was thinking the same thing, I did tell them to skype me,
also mentioned that they should feel free to say "Hey, this is
distracting." Last time I saw this happening I felt like I was
interrupting them by being in the kitchen. I didn't leave, but
wow, not comfortable. It's just weird really.
#Post#: 30257--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dealing with complaints from direct reports about shared spa
ces and other managers
By: lowspark Date: May 1, 2019, 11:04 am
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Wait, so this guy is holding a meeting in the kitchen, with
multiple attendees?
Yeah, someone needs to address this. Personally, I would not do
it during the meeting. As a manager yourself, I think you might
address it with this manager when the meeting is not in session
and just say that you've gotten feedback from some of the folks
who sit nearby that the meeting is distracting and can he please
move it to a conference room.
Or is there some reason that the complainers wish to remain
anonymous?
Slightly off topic, but really, the "stand up" concept cracks me
up. I attend (via Teams) a weekly "stand up" meeting that
generally lasts about an hour. It's scheduled to last an hour,
and we pretty much come within 5 minutes of the end time or go
over every week! LOL. It's fine, there's a lot to be discussed
on this project so it's a good use of time, but "stand up" it's
not. :D ::)
[quote]A stand-up meeting (or simply "stand-up") is a meeting in
which attendees typically participate while standing. The
discomfort of standing for long periods is intended to keep the
meetings short. [/quote]
#Post#: 30259--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dealing with complaints from direct reports about shared spa
ces and other managers
By: lowspark Date: May 1, 2019, 11:15 am
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On a side note, I sit on a large open floor. No cubicles, just
rows of desks. It's built that way to enable collaboration which
is necessary in the business I work in. I sit on the very first
row, with a row of conference rooms right behind me. The door of
one of those rooms is directly behind my chair.
Now, mostly, people go in and close the door and have their
meeting. But every once in a while, they keep the door open.
There's lots of chatter in this office so the sound of people
talking doesn't bother me. But in the conference room, that
sound gets amplified because of the comparative size of the
room. So it can be and most often is, quite distracting.
I have no trouble getting up, sticking my head in the room with
a SMILE and closing the door. I do it with a smile to indicate
that it's no biggie, but hey, the door needs to be closed. No
one has ever taken offense and most often, someone in the
meeting apologizes and I reply that it's fine.
I don't think there's anything wrong with telling someone that
they are being too loud or intruding on your concentration if
a) it's not the norm for the office
b) it's going on more than just a minute or two, or is
chronically recurring
#Post#: 30260--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dealing with complaints from direct reports about shared spa
ces and other managers
By: gramma dishes Date: May 1, 2019, 11:36 am
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The kitchen has a purpose. Employees have a right to expect it
to be available when they need it. Tell the other manager that
he needs to use the stand up meeting room right next door for
his meetings. I'd have very little patience for a person who
expects people to stand up during meetings and who usurps an
inappropriate area needed for other uses to do it. It's
ridiculously controlling.
What everyone should do is choose that exact time to go into the
kitchen and start rummaging around in the refrigerator, heating
stuff in the microwave, running water in the sink, making
coffee, pulling up a table and a few chairs and sitting down to
take their morning break with sandwiches and candy bars.
#Post#: 30261--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dealing with complaints from direct reports about shared spa
ces and other managers
By: Hanna Date: May 1, 2019, 11:41 am
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I don’t think they necessarily want to remain anonymous. One of
them probably doesn’t feel comfortable telling him directly. The
other is beyond frustrated with him and probably doesn’t expect
any results regardless.
This is one of several issues with the same person. I mentioned
to our boss and he just laughed and said “he’s doing what?
Why?!”
Sounds like we are going to have a managers meeting soon so if
this is not resolved by then I’ll bring it up.
#Post#: 30262--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dealing with complaints from direct reports about shared spa
ces and other managers
By: syfygeek Date: May 1, 2019, 11:52 am
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[quote author=Hanna link=topic=1114.msg30254#msg30254
date=1556724498]
[quote author=Aleko link=topic=1114.msg30250#msg30250
date=1556723899]
If he thinks standup meetings are hip he can perfectly well have
them in a conference room - he just needs to stack chairs way
before they begin. But he needs to be made aware that
inconveniencing the people whose workstation is next to the
kitchen, and of course any of 70-odd people who might actually
be wanting to use the kitchen for its proper purpose, is most
definitely not hip.
[/quote]
And ridiculously, we have a standup conference room right next
to the kitchen, with a door that closes and where the noise
doesn't carry over even with the door open.
STIG I was thinking the same thing, I did tell them to skype me,
also mentioned that they should feel free to say "Hey, this is
distracting." Last time I saw this happening I felt like I was
interrupting them by being in the kitchen. I didn't leave, but
wow, not comfortable. It's just weird really.
[/quote]
Is a stand up conference room just a room without furniture?
I've never worked anywhere that had these.
#Post#: 30263--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dealing with complaints from direct reports about shared spa
ces and other managers
By: Hanna Date: May 1, 2019, 11:55 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=syfygeek link=topic=1114.msg30262#msg30262
date=1556729571]
[quote author=Hanna link=topic=1114.msg30254#msg30254
date=1556724498]
[quote author=Aleko link=topic=1114.msg30250#msg30250
date=1556723899]
If he thinks standup meetings are hip he can perfectly well have
them in a conference room - he just needs to stack chairs way
before they begin. But he needs to be made aware that
inconveniencing the people whose workstation is next to the
kitchen, and of course any of 70-odd people who might actually
be wanting to use the kitchen for its proper purpose, is most
definitely not hip.
[/quote]
And ridiculously, we have a standup conference room right next
to the kitchen, with a door that closes and where the noise
doesn't carry over even with the door open.
STIG I was thinking the same thing, I did tell them to skype me,
also mentioned that they should feel free to say "Hey, this is
distracting." Last time I saw this happening I felt like I was
interrupting them by being in the kitchen. I didn't leave, but
wow, not comfortable. It's just weird really.
[/quote]
Is a stand up conference room just a room without furniture?
I've never worked anywhere that had these.
[/quote]
This one just has y’all tables. Also a few stools.
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