Coworker Complaints and Employees' Rights
A Reader Asks a Question: What do you do if an employee complains about her work being disrupted by another employee's loud voice?
A Conumdrum in Workplace Behaviors
This is a very interesting question, because during my first full-time job in a major company, employees were not permitted to speak at all during working hours - only on breaks, in the restrooms, and at lunch; and before and after work.
In the 2010s, complaints of infringement on Individual Rights are lodged every time that a person In the workplace is asked to cease unacceptable behavior. How does any work get done in this country?
Speaking in the workplace is mandatory in a number of workplaces, in numerous jobs, and among myriad industries. One cannot get any work done without verbal communications in these settings.
However, some speech is still inappropriate. Workers must filter themselves and supervisors must stay aware of inappropriate speech. Failing this, Human Resources (HR), State EEO regulations, and legal action can become involved. This is largely connected to discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct.
Loud Talkers
Loud Talkers
Someone once said that; I do not know who. Facts are that you must determine if a loud talker in the workplace is
- Unaware that he is using an outdoor voice;
- Hard of hearing, partially deaf;
- Asserting authority; or
- Being annoying on purpose, because he is a) abusive and dares you to do something about it or b) thinks it's funny - also abusive.
If the coworker is unaware or going deaf, first approach the person in private and discuss the matter. If this does not work or the person is being pompous, intimidating (abusive), or purposefully annoying, then follow the procedures listed in the paragraphs above for noise and other problems.
If a person who is bothered by the loud talker complains to you instead of following a procedure that actually works, then tell the person to follow the steps above.
If the person will not do then, then tell the person that you do not want to hear any more about it and stay firm in that decision.
If all three of you work together in the same space, you may have to follow the steps yourself - against the person that is interrupting your work by complaining.
If you have nothing to say, say it loud!
— AnonymousNoisemakers and Mental Health Issues
Some people make noise in order to assert their "power." Usually the Power to Annoy.
Examples of Irritations
Certain individuals engage in constant throat clearing or stomping as they walk, in high heels or heavy shoes. in order to assert themselves as powerful or important and/or to intimidate others.
Some of these perpetrators are not those who suffer from Tourette's Syndrome, smoker's cough, cancer, an infection; or problems walking. Some of these people purposely make unnecessary noise.
What are the solutions? Ignore these people if you have that type of skill. Wear earplugs if you can.
In the case of a coworker with Tourette's, you may need to quit and go work someplace else!
In the case of a tremendously loud smoker's cough, the person can be advised by a supervisor to seek medical help. If the supervisor takes no action, you may need to approach Human Resources about the problem.
Extreme Example
If an employee urinates into the trash can beside his desk, then this is a mental health problem for which you need to go to your supervisor immediately. If the supervisor is not in the work area, leave the floor and notify someone in authority. That authority may have security forces help the person to the company clinic or out of the building.
© 2010 Patty Inglish MS
Comments
AUTHORThanks, Johnny! I bet you do a fantastic job in HR!
Ms. Inglish,
Such a touchy subject handled so professionally! Thank you for providing. I love the videos. You've obviously love your work and have a great sense of humor.
Thanks for providing and making an HR Guy's day!
I am looking forward to diving into more of your hubs.
All the best,
Johnny
- AUTHOR
DenAnon - This is one of the most difficult situations for a worker to find himself. Speak with your supervisor and HR for advice. If they are unable or unwilling to help the coworker or you, then 20-years-plus-pension may go away pretty quickly when it all gets too annoying.
Medications exist for patients that can help Tourette's behaviors become milder and less intrusive; and, I've seen a long continuum of varying severity. For instance, for one teen in my therapy exercise class, with lesser symptoms, I said to stop doing those behaviors, and they stopped permenantly for the 5 years he remained with us - relaxation exercises helped him as well. All that's not likely to happen with your coworker. I don't think you can ask HR to insist on medicating a worker, either.
If no one will help you, then I suggest noise-eliminating headphones/earmuffs, similar to those hunters wear to prevent hearing loss from firearms. The behaviors are harming you and I feel that insisting you take no action to defend yourself is abusive of the company.
Let me know what HR says.
In our local University, there is a student with very severe Tourette's symptoms. The library gives him one of the soundproof study rooms to use and he does much work online there. He began going to a nearby coffee shop, patrons were accepting of the Tourette's, but they still all cleared out in just a few days and business plummetted. He went elsewhere, but I don't know if this was on his own or at the request of the owner.
I have a Tourette's sufferer in the cube next to me on a job I have just started. I am not sure I can take the constant grunts and outbursts. The advice to seek a new job does not work for me as a 20 year employee with a pension! Any advice on dealing with this?
Following the chain of command is best in these situations. Some people are just loud no matter what, but it makes you wonder how they got the job in the first place. Maybe they know not to talk too loudly when being interviewed, go figure!! Voted/rated.
At our pinnacle are these so called "Managers" who feel that because they are, they can go all out and discuss us simlpe beings and our plights.
I have recently been stressed out because the HR manager discusses my medical condition with her cohorts (managers) on the phone while standing up in our open space office.
Its a wacky situation because she will say that it serves me right for eavesdropping, I imagine.
- AUTHOR
I agree - I don't know if I'd have thought of it.
What he did with a shoe on the desk was ingenious. Thanks for understanding this problem.
- AUTHOR
How frustratingly like a mismanaged circus for you. I wish I could make them dress as clowns for halloween at work.
I have. They ignore me and go to the director and make her order the supplies they forgot to order. She hasn't seemed to notice that they have pulled this same scam for almost 3 years now. And the note is STILL on the white board for all to see. Of course, she is one of the ones that forgets to order on Tuesdays as well.
- AUTHOR
You've tried ENVRYTHING! I sympathize greatly. What happens if you tell them on Wed that is really IS too late?
Hmmm, I've tried sending emails regarding things I need to say, but the worst offenders don't or won't read them. So now I do use a lot of hand signals, LOL! (Not offensive ones).
I have even gone so far as to pick up the object in question and place it in front of them and demo what I'm trying to say. Apparently, some are not able to understand English and must have visuals.
Oh, I have tried writing on the white board. My message is still up there after 7 months and 3 of the 5 people that need to read it still have not. Or they are ignoring it. (Instructions on how to order supplies on TUESDAYS of EVERY week). Instead, they drop by on Wednesday and ask, "Is it too late to order xyz? I just want to scream sometimes.
Very good subject to raise and you dealt with it very well in you hub.
Life is relationships and how we can establish, maintain and terminate them. Complaints as you noted are dynamic and our responses must be. Great information.
This is an awesome article. I really enjoyed the very first video. lol
- AUTHOR
Gamer playing. Some people pretend to be deaf in order to get you to repeat yourself and ultimately, to stop talking to them so that they can feel they are controlling you. Some others have you repeat so that they have time to think of an answer.
Get a small whiteboard and marker and write on it in the high-noise areas instead of talking. If the person complains, write - I am not going to talk to you because you always ask me to repeat. Then walk away.
If a worker is going physically deaf and won't get medical help, file a complaint. You have that right.
What about the case where the co-workers are deaf and you have to speak up so they can hear you? Where I work, there is a lot of background noise and my co-workers continually ask "what?" or "huh?" whenever I say something, so I speak up the second time I repeat myself, then they get mad because I'm talking too loud!
I've gotten to the point where I just won't speak to them at all. If I absolutely have to speak to one of the girls, it's automatic that she makes me repeat myself. Every time! So, I just avoid her. I swear she's totally deaf.
WOW. I can't imagine any of those things happening, but I am sure they do. I would have to laugh at the foot stomper, since they were being silly... so would I.
Great Hub, Great Advice!
Personally, I have not problems with my co-workers. It is the most wonderful place to work in the world. But, when I have come up against annoying co-workers, I have generally used compassion and listening to deal with them. If I am annoyed, I try to see it as my problem and try to figure out why I am annoyed and work diligently to change the way I feel. This usually solves the problem for me and makes me feel lots better about the situation. Your examples of extreme co-worker problems are things I have never had to deal with. However, I do deal with students like this all the time and we do use security and the local police.
Awesome hub. A variety one. In grown countries people care for every thing.
I hate those extreme cases like a co-worker urinating in a trash can. Nice advice.
Your information is awesome. I love the picture of the Jet breaking the sound barrier! Your note sbout the nothing to say voice becoming louder is perfection. Odd how loud talkers can be the cause of coworkers complaints. As always, good stuff.
K9
Loud talkers and heel stompers are just like the bellowing bulls I wrote about in Dealing with Difficult People. Sometimes you just have to stand up to them. Thanks for reminding us, Patty.
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