OFFICE QUESTION- for anyone and everyone to answer!!!?

Question

The best answerer will most likely get 10 yahoo ask points.

Here's my question/conern:
I just got hired into a finance firm, and I work in a CUBICLE for about 8 to 10 hours each day. Sitting about 7 feet behind me is a very large and NOISY printer that has an internal fan running all day inside of it. I try to ignore it, but, it's not easy. I asked my manager if the printer can be moved to another location. She said no, but did offer me the option to switch MY location. So, naturally, I did. The new cubicle wasn't without IT'S fair share of problems. The A/C made the spot very chilly, and, since it is away from the printer, you can now clearly hear the office's fluxtuating A/C system- sounds like "brrrrrrr, ::pause::, brrrrrrr, ::pause, brrrrr..." So, now I have a dilemma. Stay with the Printer, or move to icy-annoying land. I am afraid that if I move, I will find the new spot as WORSE, and then the OLD spot (next to the printer) will be taken up by someone else. SUGGESTIONS PLZ

Answer 1

quit your job or tell your boss to piss off!

Answer 2

Are these the only two choices? See if there's a third, better choice. But investigate first before you go through the trouble of changing, otherwise you'll look foolish.

If not, I'd choose the printer. There are ways to muffle the sound it makes. For one, there might be covers that you can use, either right over the printing mechanism or over the whole device. Also, when you see the IT guy, ask him if they can replace the fan because it sounds like it's on its last leg. Either he'll get right on it because he understands fans are important, or he'll ignore it because he doesn't give a damn. You can also ask him if they have any newer, quieter printers they can swap this one out for.

If that doesn't help, make sure the printer is positioned as far away from you as it possibly can go. If it's on a table, move it to the edge of the table and move the table as far as it will go.

You can put simple soundproofing in the printer area, such as acoustic tile, acoustic eggshell foam, etc. Maybe wrap a scarf around the printer (be careful not to block ventilation holes.) You can also turn your radio on low, use a "white noise" machine or wear earplugs.

I think the printer area is better because you're only dealing with noise, not cold and noise. The good news is you may eventually get to the point where you no longer hear the printer at all.

Answer 3

Hi, first of all I suggest to you that you think long and good, whether or not you really like your new job, Do you like the people, do you like the tasks you are given, can you identify yourself with the company etc ? If your answers are yes, then I would go and tell your boss. Tell her, you really like it here, you like the work, the people, the atmospere etc, but you find it such a shame that your working place is either too noisy or too cold and that if something cannot be done about it, then you would have to make a decision about staying. Your health could also be at risk, sitting next to an obviously defective A/C unit.

I think if you are direct, and if you explain your situation they should listen to you. If not, then the company does not care very much for its staff, and consequently to be quite honest I would look for another job, but until you have one, I would opt to sit by the noisy printer and buy some ear-plugs!

I have worked in America once, and those cubicles are just ridiculous,what with noise bellowing out of each cubicle etc.

Answer 4

Stick to the old cubicle for now. The printer and fan noise will just be white noise over time. This is much better than shivering all day and putting up with the A/C noise. Meanwhile, find our where new employees are assigned and keep an eye on any potential cubicles you can move to, but don't ask your manager right away. Once you've proven your worth in the office and the bosses are pleased with your performance, you can negotiate for a better space.

Answer 5

I have to say that at my job our cubicles are 2 by 2 and most of the people around me speak different languages so I think I would have liked the printer or frozen land. I think reality tells us that in life things may and do get worse before they get better. I think that if you focus on one positive about whichever location you choose you can make it through. Like maybe you sit near a window in one space or maybe you can see a person of interest to look at or maybe you could make a cartoon out of it like it is 100 degrees outside and you are in your cubicle with earmuffs and a scarf. Had to make a joke. Look up when your down, because someone always has it worse. Good Luck with your decision making process.

Answer 6

move back to the printer spot, and if you dont have to answer phones etc, wear and ipod or similar while working, this is great to soothe the nerves too.

If you cant do this, move back to the printer seat and sabotage the printer, not only will the other staff thank you for help in getting a new printer to replace that old crappy one, you will get a new quiter printer.... everyone is a winner

Answer 7

I reckon if you have looked around the office and have seen a spot you would rather sit at rather then being seated by someone else, suggest it or ask if you can sit there.

If you prefer the ice land to the printer then, take in some ear phones to plug into your computer to block out the noise and take a coat into work as well.

My office is freezing and so I take a coat into work with me.

So yeah I reckon music and a coat to be your best option if your not willing to ask or suggest a desired area to sit in.

Its your comfort we are talking about here and no-one else is gonna care about your comfort unless you ask.

Answer 8

a) you can stay at your new location and cover up the vent when it gets too cold by taping paper or newspaper over it or
b) move back to your old location and be thankful that you don't have to walk as far to get to the printer as if you would have had you been at your new cubicle and also quite cold

Answer 9

Well i think the solution is pretty simple

Stay by the Air Con and just ask for it
to be turnt down.
Im sure that there most be other a/c in the room so just turning one a/c down shouldnt really effect the whole environment around it.

If your boss says no she wont allow that then just find away for you to do it yourself manually and just switch it down but dont tell anyone you have done it, problem sorted!!

Answer 10

if the vent is right above you..cover it like I did and wear a sweater if you're too cold....as far as the a/c's humming....you'll eventually get so used to it, you won't hear it at all. don't quit your job because of this....there are certainly worse problems to have to deal with....
by the way the noisy printer is something you will never adjust to.

Answer 11

i dont like the cold so i would just go back to the printer area. you dont want to complain to much because your boss may have a problem with it.
the printer fan seems easyer to tune out than a a/c