There used to be some chat but nothing out of hand and I don't think it affected our productivity or whatever. Now everybody is pretty miserable and we're getting evil looks and / or being told off if we speak to one another. Is there anything we can do? Am I being unreasonable?
2007-10-24 00:32:28 · 26 answers · asked by Grrroucho 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Although the lack of socialization is uncomfortable, go along with it for now. Your boss will probably ease off, and things will slowly go back to normal. Remember "The boss may not always be right, but the boss is always the boss."
2007-10-24 00:36:09 · answer #1 · answered by Beau R 7 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Your question is, what can we do, the answer is, nothing except follow the new rule or quit. The rule is not unreasonable.
The boss, either by direction by a superior or his own idea, has decided that the time you are there at work, you will work. Makes perfect sense. I wish here where I work, we could have that rule for one day. I am sick of hearing about people's kids.
If you want to talk with your co-workers about non-work matters, go out to lunch together. Then there are evenings, weekends, holidays, vacations, all that time you can all spend together, talking to each other.
2007-10-24 02:34:50 · answer #2 · answered by danashelchan 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What sort of work do you do? If your casual chatting is interfering in any way with what you're doing...distracting you from some sort of machinery or ignoring customers, then your boss, while a bit of a martinet, is correct to lay down a no-chat rule. On the other hand, if she's just being a you-know-what, perhaps it's because no one is chatting with HER and she's jealous? Is she the type of person to commonly throw petty rules around? Do you and your coworkers have access to and/or a good working relationship with her supervisor? Perhaps a chat with THEM is in order.
Try to see it from her point of view...often workers don't think that their casual chat is excessive when it often, in fact, is. If you have weekly meetings with your boss, why not broach the subject in a straightforward but civil manner? Request your boss to provide specific incidences of "problem" chatting. Ask for solid proof that your group productivity is below par specifically because of casual chatting. Point out to her that her stringent attitude is making everyone miserable and that misery, in and of itself, has the very real potential of reducing productivity.
Request your boss provide a WRITTEN rule with specific parameters about casual chatting and have it be made part of your company's employee handbook. If anyone is fired specifically for excess chatter, such a written rule...or lack of one...may be able to be used in the fired worker's defense, depending on the circumstances. Especially if no other written history has been kept about workers' "chatting transgressions."
Another thought...could it be that one or more of your group is the real "Chatty Cathy" and you're ALL being penalized because of them? It's often difficult to convince a coworker that you need to get work done even though you'd rather be shooting the breeze. Sometimes such people take it the wrong way and think they're being blown off out of rudeness; these sorts of coworkers are more of a pain than your boss is being right now.
Bottom line...you're not being paid to have fun at work; you're there to make the company money. Casual chatting doesn't make money.
2007-10-24 00:51:57 · answer #3 · answered by TessieQ 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I tend to be a hard liner when it comes to workplace issues like this. My experience since I began working in 1977 is that people will always put on a show of intensity when they think they are being observed and then ease back when supervisors aren't around. Then there are those who will be non-chalant no matter who is around.
The measure taken by your boss is understandable given the fact that he is aware of something that is of great importance to him in his position. He feels that too much time is spent on chatting and that it is impacting productivity.
Remember, we aren't owed the right to chat with co-workers. Many folks feel that if nothing is immediately impactful about their job, then they can decide when to kick back. That is far from the truth. In fact, if the employers had their way, we would be doing something constructive for the business every second of the day.
2007-10-24 00:42:29 · answer #4 · answered by Awesome Bill 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That does suck. I can understand if customers where waiting or the head cheese was there. But a quick "hello" by the coffee pot is harmless. The next time someone gets in trouble remind the boss a happy worker is a good worker. Then again, you might not want to say that unless you are able to lose your job. Sounds like you might want to anyhow.
Good luck
Beth
2007-10-24 08:47:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your boss sounds like they're on a power trip needs to realize that most of everyone's day is spent at work and that SOME non-work related chatting is fine in moderation. Who wants to spend 8 hours being totally quiet all day everyday? I'd go nuts! But then, chatter is all that ever goes on in the office I work in, so it'd be pretty strange for me.
When I was working at a doctor's office, we had a meeting where our office manager told us there was too much talking going on and the next person to talk about anything other that the patients and what they needed would be getting fired. With over 50 women working in one office, the silence lasted about a day. No one was fired.
I suggest getting all of your co-workers together who oppose this new rule, and writing down everyone's concerns to present to your boss. Hopefully, they'll lighten up.
Good luck!
2007-10-24 02:25:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
This means that work productivity is down and you and your colleagues should not be "chatting."
If you are on the clock, and getting paid for working, that is what you should be doing.
Chatting is acceptable for break time, in a area designated for breaks and non-work hours.
Remember, you are an adult working in the real world.
What has most likely caused this is the fact that your boss has been told that there is too much chatting going on and he has been told to put a stop to it.
This sounds like the adult version of kids whining because they cannot get on myspace on their computers while in school.
Sorry to say, you are being unreasonable on this one.
Good luck and have a good day.
2007-10-24 01:03:10 · answer #7 · answered by Sue F 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Rule No 1 The Boss is always Right
Rule No 2 Always follow Rule No 1
so, you see, there is nothing u can do except to leave this job and look for a new one.
2007-10-24 00:35:42 · answer #8 · answered by delta 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Well, your boss has taken an unusual step. Perhaps the incessant chatter was interfering with your work or the work of others.
What can you do? Follow the rules or quit.
2007-10-24 06:52:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just forget about it and continue with work. Its the boss who makes the rules
2007-10-24 04:13:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋