Loud typing in lounges - rude or not?

[samiam]

That would be a brilliant idea although I do not think it is likely to happen. :-|

JohnK, you should point your employer to the flexibility provisions under the National Employment Standards (NES) of the Fair Work Act.

http://www.fairwork.gov.au/factshee...sts-for-flexible-working-arrangements-NES.pdf

Whilst primarily this Flexible Work option is designed for parents or carers of children, some workplaces (including my own), have opened up the ability to apply for flexible work arrangements to all employees, for consistency and fairness.

 

[Simo]

I much prefer to work from home.

I use to spend 2 days a week working from home and I got heaps more done.

Trying to get stuff done at the office just doesn't happen.

I only go into the office to see customers and if I am needed to fill in for a staff member.

I much prefer to have a few drinks in the lounge and leave the laptop in my bag if possible.

 

[Fantic125]

I'd be interested to know what everything thinks... if someone is typing loudly/constantly on their laptop in a lounge, would you consider it to be rude?

On the Toshiba AT105 you can turn the clicky sound off.

Works for me.

 

[Storyteller]

I'd be interested to know what everything thinks... if someone is typing loudly/constantly on their laptop in a lounge, would you consider it to be rude?

And seeing we're going back to the beginning, another take on this would be : if they were keeping company with me, then yes. However ...
Loud typing could be their displeasure of what I had just said / done /not done, the Comte de taittinger isn't available today when I used it as a lure, or the promised spa appointment didn't eventuate. Constant typing on the other hand means I'm in REAL trouble, and even if the above do materialize, I may as well just go home now.

 

[JohnK]

JohnK, you should point your employer to the flexibility provisions under the National Employment Standards (NES) of the Fair Work Act.

Some employees do have flexible working conditions (i.e they can work from home up to 6 times a year but this is never policed) and it is closed to new participants.

Management style appears to be based on the favouritism principle and if you are not in favour then not much you can do.

 

[Simo]

You know another thing that annoys me in the lounges is people that have there phone sounds on loud when they are either sending text or making a phone call.

And also the ring tone that is audible all over the lounge.

 

[11sjw]

On the Toshiba AT105 you can turn the clicky sound off.

Works for me.

Perhaps those that are bothered by keyboards could order a cup of concrete at the bar.

 

[casanovawa]

I think i might have to JohnK!!!! Although you get into all this cough that if working from home someone has to do an occupational health and safety assessment on your work space at home!?!?!?

If the Director General happens to ask me about his idea for introducing open plan, i think i might commit a CLM ('career limiting move' for the acronym challenged)

 

[Justchecking]

I have to say, if you are annoyed by a keyboard, you are probably annoyed by anything and everything. Irritation may be a lifestyle choice for you. The only place I can get silence is in my own home. Thats just the way of the world. I found myself a rare seat the other day waiting for the train, when someone sat next to me and then began to noisily eat something crunchy. You know, those people who must eat with their mouths open and rustle the bag like its got a live animal in it. I moved. I'd rather stand than waste my time getting niggly about a bag of chips.

We cant control other people or demand they conform to our preferred level of silence. Other people, by virtue of the fact they are not us, are bound to be irritating on some level. You can make them as wrong as you like but it wont change them, it just makes you sour.

 

[Flashback]

I think i might have to JohnK!!!! Although you get into all this cough that if working from home someone has to do an occupational health and safety assessment on your work space at home!?!?!?

If the Director General happens to ask me about his idea for introducing open plan, i think i might commit a CLM ('career limiting move' for the acronym challenged)

We all know that you'd have to do something far worse than that to lose a government job :mrgreen:

 

[haydensydney]

I have to say, if you are annoyed by a keyboard, you are probably annoyed by anything and everything. Irritation may be a lifestyle choice for you. The only place I can get silence is in my own home. Thats just the way of the world. I found myself a rare seat the other day waiting for the train, when someone sat next to me and then began to noisily eat something crunchy. You know, those people who must eat with their mouths open and rustle the bag like its got a live animal in it. I moved. I'd rather stand than waste my time getting niggly about a bag of chips.

DING DING DING! I think we have a winner! Great point.

We are all responsible for our reactions to outside influences. Feeling irritated or agitated is something we can control (whereas we can't control the loudness to which someone pounds a keyboard). Further, we can always do something about a potential irritant, like move seats as you mentioned. Or we can sit there and seethe in an ever-expanding boiling aggression. The choice is ours.

 

[JohnK]

We cant control other people or demand they conform to our preferred level of silence. Other people, by virtue of the fact they are not us, are bound to be irritating on some level. You can make them as wrong as you like but it wont change them, it just makes you sour.

Fair point but by the same token it cannot hurt to go about your business and not do anything that annoys others. If in doubt on what annoys others sit still and do your work with the minimum of fuss.

E.g. This guy at work loves to just talk and talk and talk. And he is never wrong and has an opinion on everything and anything. Irritates the hell out of me but I cannot do anything. He is in IT support and we keep getting told that talking is the nature of their job. OK. So why are they in the same office as us? It would not be fair to say that our jobs require thinking and not talking.

The same person loves garlic tuna and loves eating it at his desk.

The same person also loves to put food in ceramic dishes and when he eats ensures that the spoon or fork constantly scrapes and scratches the bottom of the dish until every single piece of food has been scraped up.

The same person loves to put food in his mouth as often as possible and while his mouth is full of food turn around and conduct conversations with other staff. This is not just irritating but is also extremely disgusting.

This same person also comes and sits on my cluster of workstations (3 desks connected together and partitioned) and starts kicking the leg of the desk which sends vibrations through the rest of the desks.

This same person also has an iPod with leaking headphones and plays heavy metal music full blast.

Those around him tolerate his behaviour and do not say anything so it would appear that I am in the wrong. Personally I just wish he would go to hell and let me get on with my work in some peace and quiet. It is difficult enough commuting and living alone....

 

[Flashback]

Fair point but by the same token it cannot hurt to go about your business and not do anything that annoys others. If in doubt on what annoys others sit still and do your work with the minimum of fuss.

E.g. This guy at work loves to just talk and talk and talk. And he is never wrong and has an opinion on everything and anything. Irritates the hell out of me but I cannot do anything. He is in IT support and we keep getting told that talking is the nature of their job. OK. So why are they in the same office as us? It would not be fair to say that our jobs require thinking and not talking.

The same person loves garlic tuna and loves eating it at his desk.

The same person also loves to put food in ceramic dishes and when he eats ensures that the spoon or fork constantly scrapes and scratches the bottom of the dish until every single piece of food has been scraped up.

The same person loves to put food in his mouth as often as possible and while his mouth is full of food turn around and conduct conversations with other staff. This is not just irritating but is also extremely disgusting.

This same person also comes and sits on my cluster of workstations (3 desks connected together and partitioned) and starts kicking the leg of the desk which sends vibrations through the rest of the desks.

This same person also has an iPod with leaking headphones and plays heavy metal music full blast.

Those around him tolerate his behaviour and do not say anything so it would appear that I am in the wrong. Personally I just wish he would go to hell and let me get on with my work in some peace and quiet. It is difficult enough commuting and living alone....

Sounds like it's time to find a new job!

 

[JohnK]

Sounds like it's time to find a new job!

And that is how management views the situation. Not even allowed to complain and if you don't like it then leave. And if I make a personal phone call for 5 minutes then I am being disruptive!

But in essence you are right....

 

[Flashback]

And that is how management views the situation. Not even allowed to complain and if you don't like it then leave. And if I make a personal phone call for 5 minutes then I am being disruptive!

But in essence you are right....

Yup. I was a little unhappy in my (now) past job, so went and found a new one. Just about to do a week's holiday (ski trip!) then get stuck into the new role.

It's unfortunate, but that's the way society is