As I have mentioned before, we are in the process of moving our offices to a larger place. Today was my first look at the place.
It is indeed larger and there are a bunch of pre-existing cubicles. However, these are not what you think of when you think of a modern cubicle: three pre-fab walls and a desk. These are prehistoric: the walls are wooden and covered in a hideous gray fabric. My team (4 people) and the refunds team (2 people) are to be situated in a 6-cubicle block. On either side of a 6’ wall is a 2 person “shared” cubicle (two single cubes separated by a 4’ wall that extends out 4’) and one regular cube separated by a 6’ wall. At the end of this whole block is a structural wall that has a hallway on the other side.
Cast of players:
My team:
“S”: my supervisor
“R”: me
“D”: full time woman
“K”: part time woman
Refunds team:
“F”: supervisor (long time employee)
“B”: team member
F & B usually have to work closely, the 6’ wall between them is a serious hindrance. F is not pleased. I don’t usually cater to whiny, bitchy types, but she does have a valid point. The members of my team don’t necessarily have to work so closely, so physical positioning is not a major issue.
We all knew that some changes would have to be made in this new environment, so some compromises would have to be made. So I came up with this new seating arrangement:
I asked eveyone what they thought about it and pretty much got a unanimous approval (“D” is on vacation, but is usually very agreeable). I presented it to the supervisor and got approval to make the changes as long as I told the telephone guys where to put the extensions. Did that. The computers have not been attached to the system and haven’t been assigned to their specific ports (this a security measure).
This is by no means perfect, but I thought it was the best compromise for everyone.
Some cubes already have desks in them from the previous tenant. They suck, but, once cleaned up and rearranged, are servicable. They’ll have to be because there’s no money in the budget to replace them all. The empty cubes (of which mine is one) will get the Steelcase desks from our old office.
“K” (the part timer) whines that she flat out doesn’t want her “new” desk EVEN THOUGH SHE AGREED TO THE SWAP.
I go back to the supervisor and asked If I could take her desk and she would get one of the original desks. She said no, because the construction crew is working on the floor plan based on what’s already there. So I asked if I could switch them out once everything is settled. This would be okay, she said.
“K” “doesn’t want to cause any trouble”, but still doesn’t seem to be too pleased.
Well, you what, “K”? Fuck you. I went far above and way beyond the call to come up with an idea that, while not making everybody happy, would be the best thing for everybody so we can all work together in fucking peace and quiet (and that’s the only reason why I did it). The other four people are willing to compromise.
All it takes is one whiner to bring the whole office down. The plan I came up with was the best way to achieve this.
Once you get past the age of, oh, I don’t know, THREE, whining is no longer an attribute I find admirable in a person.
Yes, I know you don’t like “F” (neither do a lot of people). but this new plan will help two people do their jobs better and make day-to-day living better for at least five people.
So, in this case, the needs of the many outweigh your whiny ass.
