Work Environment Delima

[sdyson31]

Hello guys,

Was wondering if you could give me some advice over my current situation.
I have recently started in a new job, but i am not happy with the environment in the company.

First of all it is an open office environment, and it is very noisy most of the times. Secondly the people are not very professional, the women are always talking about their body parts and personal relations and etc. It is really quite distracting, and disturbing for me as I really just don't want to hear any of this.

I have worked for different companies in last 7-8 years, but never came across with this kind of unprofessional environment.

I am utilizing my skills, but i don't think this is a place where i can stay longer period of time. I really don't feel that i have my own work place, in the company. It is more like a call center where people come and go.

I don't think there is any point in talking to my manager, as it is an open plan environment. ,

If i start looking for a new job, because of a work environment. Then the first question i will be asked is "why i want to leave my current job when i have just started here four months ago".

Can i just say that work environment is not very professional? They might ask me for more details like why it is not professional?

I can tell them that i am working as a contractor but i don't want to lie. Plus, companies can find out that i was working on permanent basis when they ask for a reference.

thanks

[davepoth]

Don't tell lies that can be found out when doing an interview. Lies that can't are always better.

Telling an interviewer that you didn't like the open plan working environment will be difficult if your next employer has one too (and let's face it, it's quite likely).

So the answer would be to dress it up in somewhat diplomatic terms. Just explain to them that the job didn't turn out to be as it was described to you, and you feel it's important to be happy in your job. Fluffy language like that can be read in so many different ways that it's impossible to call anyone out on it, even if your present and potential employers happen to play golf at the same club.

[djones123]

Actually I changed my last job bcz the job didn't turn out to be as it was described to me and my line manager was quite apologetic to me as i had to relocate from north to west with my family. I stayed there 18 months.

[Chilli]

Never lie to anyone. Either try and make it work or just look for another job. Don't start making up stories, just tell everyone the truth...It's just not for you.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Just say you've made an error. Place & culture not for you. We've all done it, chances are the interviewer has too.

[New POD]

If you have any kind of aspergers, or attention deficite problem (and what bloke doesn't) it can be the worst experience.

I would solve this by

a) Wearing a telephone headset, but playing classical music through it
b) booking meeting rooms, for meetings with myself.
c) asking people gently if they could have their meeting where it doesn't disturb others in the office.
d) talking to individuals who are the loudest, on an individual basis, and say "how do you cope in this office? I'm getting sod all work done, because all I can hear is stuff I don't want to hear which should be kept private? I'm thinking of leaving because it's so bad "


If that doesn't work nothing will.

[rog007]

Good tips from POD. I'd add that others are also probably thinking what you are too. Find some sympathisers and build up a movement for change over time and you may get some results. Good luck!

[WinstonWolf]

Noisy? Try working in a foundry for a few weeks

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

S798 said:

It ended up being one of the reasons I left (after 18 months). I now have a lovely quiet office of my own.

I've gone the other way. After nearly all my working career in my own office I've been in the melee for the last five years. I'd deffo not swap back now.

[Mojooo]

The trend it to move towards open plan

Its annoying and like you I often get distracted.

It has its benefits to some extent of course.

[davepoth]

Open plan does annoy me. The worst bit is how quickly colds and sniffles spread around the place.

[mondeoman]

Slap em with a smelly kipper - they'll get the message.

[anonymous-user]

OP can you listen to music at all?

I have issues where I am easily distracted by conversations even if I am not involved with them, especially when the ladies get louder and more shrill

Headphones in, tunes on, happy days

[blindswelledrat]

Chilli said:

Never lie to anyone. Either try and make it work or just look for another job. Don't start making up stories, just tell everyone the truth...It's just not for you.

I am not sure I agree with this.
If your reason for wanting to leave a job is flakey, like the OP's, telling the truth is going to put a potential employer off, no matter what (the only exception is if you have a couple of long stays at other companies and this is clearly an exception)
If I was interviewing someone and they said that they were afraid of women's tits, which is effectively what the OP is saying, then I would never give them a job - even if it was considered homophobic.

[spikeyhead]

blindswelledrat said:

Chilli said:

Never lie to anyone. Either try and make it work or just look for another job. Don't start making up stories, just tell everyone the truth...It's just not for you.

I am not sure I agree with this.
If your reason for wanting to leave a job is flakey, like the OP's, telling the truth is going to put a potential employer off, no matter what (the only exception is if you have a couple of long stays at other companies and this is clearly an exception)
If I was interviewing someone and they said that they were afraid of women's tits, which is effectively what the OP is saying, then I would never give them a job - even if it was considered homophobic.

Somewhere between truth and lies is tact. There are plenty of ways of explaining it without lying.