Office Etiquette

[Katie G]

Our corporate offices are moving to a newly renovated building after being scattered all over the campus for years.  The new office is a "cube farm" and so, the powers that be issued a handbook to teach all us minions how to behave in this new environment.

Many of the "etiquette" items are common sense, and yes, some may need to be said, but THIS one really struck my funny bone:

"Be sensitive to your neighbors when it comes to the aroma in your workstation, especially those from food, cologne, perfume, and shoes."

SHOES?

I guess they're referring to folks (and I'm one of them, admittedly) who like to discreetly slip their shoes off as the mid-afternoon wears on and the old tootsies tend to swell a bit.  I suppose that could pose a problem is one's feet are -- er --less than fresh, but really, MUST we put that in writing??

[itsme_calista]

Oh dear

I sat here not ten minutes ago and kicked my shoes off ... immediately realising it was a mistake  It's times like this I'm grateful for my own office

I dread people coming into my office now even though I've opened the window and the smell probably isn't as bad as I think  I'm safe though as there's only me here today

[misslynn]

I keep little fuzzy socks at my desk for the days when I want to kick off my shoes. If it's quiet in the office and it's just us girls here, I'll walk around the office in the socks.

[diamondlady]

My boss would have a fit if I walked around sock footed, and I'll tell you why, it's because he doesn't want a staple cutting our feet when we walk.  Such a character and a worry wart in that department.  Honestly, he used to yell at me when I would walk into his office from mine (we are connected by an open door) and he would sit there and yell at me (yes dad) not to go without shoes.  One of our former ladies in Contracts Department used to bring in tweety bird slippers and wear them in the office.

Diamondlady
Peer Moderator

[klein3351f]

I can completely understand the rules about any odors.  I have a real problem with people making popcorn, in particular.  You know, that's a great smell when you make it yourself, but when you are still full from lunch and have no desire to eat anymore, it can be nauseating.

The same goes for perfume and cologne.  I swear people literally bathe in it sometimes.  I'm particularly sensitive to scents and on the occasions when I've used one myself, barely use one spritz.  I think if you should only be able to smell a persons' perfume if you are withing kissing distance!

[spitfire78]

I had another employee in my office the other day - I swear he wasn't in here more than 2 or 3 minutes.  But when he left, my office reeked of body odor.  I don't have a window since I'm working in a former storage closet.  I mentioned it to my boss and just prayed that no one else would come in for a while and think the smell came from me!  I think I'm going to bring in a scented candle to burn if this should happen in the future.

[spitfire78]

Didface,

maybe they're referring to athletic shoes.  Sometimes people walk or exercise on their lunch and keep a pair of athletic shoes under their desk.  Those can get pretty rank!

[ozbound]

Oh, that is too funny! Though I daresay, I would not want most of the guys in my office to ever, EVER remove their shoes!

This reminds me of an amusing incident that happened here the other day: there was a horrible smell coming from *somewhere*, that smelled rather like rotten food (somebody thought it was Kimchee!) It turned out to be the boss's lunch, and the odor drifted right through his closed office door! He said it was chicken with rice and broccoli--well, the broccoli must've gone off or something! The irony was that we had visitors to our plant that day, and bossie had admonished everyone to keep their area neat & clean (but to be fair, he never mentioned "nice-smelling!")

[misslynn]

diamondlady - my boss would say the same thing, I wear my shoes when he's there. But it's a very long walk up to the front of the office and when there's no one around, it's so nice to have to run up there in 4 inch heels.

[laurafmcdermott]

I have recently started with a new company and we were issued "standards of conduct" (we are a cube farm as well) which included the same odor issues.  Also included were not to talk on your cell phone when in the bathroom and no wearing tube tops!  And after all this, there is one person who text messages on her cell phone while in the ladies room.  It's rather disturbing to hear a lot of beeping coming from the stall next to you!

[dettu]

Did, yes indeed it must be in writing! My mom used to work in a large open-plan office with a lovely woman...who had horrible feet and used to take her shoes off. TWICE she was sent home from work to wash because her feet smelled so bad that everyone else felt sick. You wouldn't think a person would have to be told twice! Mom said she should have been told every time, not just those two times...

[spitfire78]

Laura,

At least she text messages.  I was in the stall last week when someone walked in talking on her cell phone.  She proceeds to go into the stall next to me, do her business, flush the toilet, wash her hands, and exit - all the while still talking to this poor soul on the other end who had to listen when it was obvious what she was doing!  I don't care if it's a spouse, relative, dear friend, or who - that is just plain rude!