Five Reasons Your Office Is Bad for You

A few comments about the section on noise.

The article identified that there are technologies which can help block unwanted noise in office environments. It suggests that there is little scientific evidence that these technologies, called 'electronic sound masking systems' work, however this couldn't be further from the truth. These systems have been in use for over 40 years and have been studied extensively with respect to their effectiveness in reducing noise intrusion and increasing speech privacy. Benefits can be measured and to some extent predicted (for example, see http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ie/cope/03-Acoustics_e.html). Quantitative and subjective on-site research projects have documented the benefits.

The article also does the reader a disservice by linking only to a non-commercial level software program that is not of the type that would be recommended for implementation in a commercial office environment. For more informtion about professional quality systems, readers may want to visit sites such as that for the LogiSon product line (www.logison.com).

The solution to office noise issues is not to keep silent (though proper office etiquette should of course be followed) nor to wear headphones. Noise and other acoustical issues should be properly addressed by workplace designers who use a balanced combination of physical barriers, absorptive materials, and sound masking.

JUST GET YOUR NASTY FAT ASSES TO THE GYM AT LEAST 3X A WEEK. AND YOU WILL SEE A DRSTIC DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY YOU FEEL AND LOOK. WHO'S THE LAZY SOB THAT SAID " LOOK AT A FAR OBJECT?" OR WALK A BIT? MAN GET YOUR ASS UP EARLY IN THE MORNING AND EXCERCISE, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, JUST DO IT. JEEEES

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Ahhh! Sorry guys! Not sure why my comment posted three times! Haha!

You'll find that while some people are happy in their place of work, most are not. More often than not, it's not so much the job we dislike, it's the environment we work in, our coworkers, or our bosses. I hear people decide to quit their job because they don't care for the people in the work place, but from what I've discovered, most places are the same as far as people go. There's always going to be those people who have nothing better to do than to start rumors or make gossip about anything they can, those that are rude for no apparent reason at all, those who think and feel they are better than others and feel the need to openly express that with being rude to other people around them, those who try to control everything and tell everybody else how to do their job, those who want to sit around and want to get paid for sitting on their butts, those who want to read magazines or eat throughout their shift, and then there are those who disappear altogether only to show up again when everything's already been taken care of. For others it's the horrible work hours, or number of hours we work, or the being called in at all hours last minute due to a skeleton crew, lack of medical/dental benefits, lack of pay, the feeling of being overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated. There's nothing worse than being unhappy in the work place for whatever the reason. The most you can do, if you can't look for another job you feel more passionate about, is to make the most of it. Try to put a positive spin on it. Make it work for you somehow. If the situation is an unfavorable one, then legal action may need to be taken or you may need to seriously consider your options because no one deserves to be discriminated against or made a mockery of. Consider your health and what would make you happiest in your life and work environment. Don't let other workers or management distract you from what you want to do. Unfortunately, work is work. If it weren't difficult and obligatory, there would be no reason for it to be called work, now would it? We all have to work to make that little paycheck and provide for ourselves and our families. Try to relax and take a vacation at least once a year if you're able and make the most of your time with loved ones and away from the hectic life of work. Take care everybody! Merry CHristmas and Happy New Year!

You'll find that while some people are happy in their place of work, most are not. More often than not, it's not so much the job we dislike, it's the environment we work in, our coworkers, or our bosses. I hear people decide to quit their job because they don't care for the people in the work place, but from what I've discovered, most places are the same as far as people go. There's always going to be those people who have nothing better to do than to start rumors or make gossip about anything they can, those that are rude for no apparent reason at all, those who think and feel they are better than others and feel the need to openly express that with being rude to other people around them, those who try to control everything and tell everybody else how to do their job, those who want to sit around and want to get paid for sitting on their butts, those who want to read magazines or eat throughout their shift, and then there are those who disappear altogether only to show up again when everything's already been taken care of. For others it's the horrible work hours, or number of hours we work, or the being called in at all hours last minute due to a skeleton crew, lack of medical/dental benefits, lack of pay, the feeling of being overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated. There's nothing worse than being unhappy in the work place for whatever the reason. The most you can do, if you can't look for another job you feel more passionate about, is to make the most of it. Try to put a positive spin on it. Make it work for you somehow. If the situation is an unfavorable one, then legal action may need to be taken or you may need to seriously consider your options because no one deserves to be discriminated against or made a mockery of. Consider your health and what would make you happiest in your life and work environment. Don't let other workers or management distract you from what you want to do. Unfortunately, work is work. If it weren't difficult and obligatory, there would be no reason for it to be called work, now would it? We all have to work to make that little paycheck and provide for ourselves and our families. Try to relax and take a vacation at least once a year if you're able and make the most of your time with loved ones and away from the hectic life of work. Take care everybody! Merry CHristmas and Happy New Year!

Hey it's not only in the workplace where there are problems. I had been volunteering since last January at an amimal rescue taking care of cats waiting to be adopted. This was located in a petstore. I did 2 and 3 shifts a week plus helped others at times because I cared about the cats. Most other volunteers just played with the cats and did little else. Sometimes cats would go for 16 hours with NO water and cages were left dirty for this time. Yet the lady in charge would accuse and blame me for things, overreact when I made a tiny mistake, would scream at me, be rude to me, lie to me and generally be a backstabber. This started happening about 3 months ago and no matter what I did, I was wrong. Others would do the same thing and it was right, I would do it and it was wrong. This seemingly started when I didn't jump at her chance to go out to movies and dinner with her. She is 66, I am 48. It's too bad because the cats are being neglected, but she doesn't care.

kemo! you're fired for screwing around on the internet!

kemo! you're fired!

One thing you didn't mention was neck strain from being on the phone all day. A great way to avoid this is by using a corded or wireless headset. Check out www.hellodirect.com or send me an e-mail at mconrad@hellodirect.com

phioma, nice plug for that website. do u get kick backs for that

gracie u r a crybaby. if you don't like it get out. mcdonalds is always hiring. you are lucky to be working at all.
you should be working instaed of playibng on the internet.
say goodnight gracie.
an angry coworker

gracie stop being a cry baby if you don't like it get out... mcdonalds is always hiring.
annoyed coworker
ps you should be working instead of being on the internet .

Like I said before, I'm absolutely done at my job...and am going to work at home. I'm learning about some new home-based business' at home-industries.com can't wait to give notice here!

These are all good insights. I remember working in an open office environment where horrible music was allowed to permeate the loud speaker system during the work day. It was a definite contributing factor for having constant headaches and an unprofessional office environment with revolving door personnel. Good experience for knowing what you won't accept in the professional milieu.

It also SUCKS when you have to babysit everyone and tell them what to do and what not to do. I just finished school and worked here for about 2 years .... I work with people who are older and more experienced than me ---and get paid more than I do by the way---...YET I .... have to tell them how to do their jobs ....... stupid isn't it? (and I'm not even in management )