Talkin' trash in the office
 

Hi,

Working in an open office, I was trying to get some work out Friday afternoon when one of the 'self appointed' political loud mouths came over and started a 'gab-fest' on politics with about half a dozen of my co-workers. Politics works best when folks have a free and frank discussion but not in an open office space ... especially when we are all working on a government contract. So I sent a note to HR without naming names, and suggested they republish the corporate policy on political discussions at work.

Along comes Tuesday afternoon and again, another pair decide they have to 'agree out loud' on their political point of view, right next to my cube. I really had work to do so I popped up and asked them to 'take it outside.' But it really ticked me off. Talking political trash talk in an open office is unethical because it steals labor hours from my employer.

This morning, at home, I donated a enough money to a political campaign to soon show up on "OpenSecrets.org" soon as they 'get around to it.' Then a web form popped up asking for some more e-mail addresses and their 'standard note.' ... Yeap! I knew exactly who to send.

I addressed the note to three of the primary loud mouths who'd disturbed my work on Friday and Tuesday. I then added some text about discussing politics 'in an open office' and invited them to talk politics at lunch or after work at a bar. I then hit "submit" on the form. FYI, I belong to the 'work is work' and 'politics is not work' political party, something the loud mouths haven't a clue about. At the bottom of the note, I pointed out that normally I put things off when busy at work but if it becomes necessary, I know where to give more.

I've probably wounded some feelings but you know it is better to give an ulcer than receive.

Bob Wilson

Re: Talkin' trash in the office
 

Yep!

Re: Talkin' trash in the office
 

Bob, that was very unprofessional of you to submit your work colleagues' e-mail addresses to an external site. You were right to bring your problem to HR, but by taking this other action you may find yourself the subject of disciplinary action.

I am personally loathe to use some of the internet technologies. Instant messaging, for example, has some benefit but I find it promotes anti-social behaviour.

Re: Talkin' trash in the office
 

Hi,

I had already contacted HR and my supervisors about this problem long before making the donation. Also, I used my home account to make the donation and my home e-mail to send it.

As for my co-workers, e-mail and professionalism, that is way down on my list of things to worry about. BTW, here is a copy of the note they received:

* * * * *
On 9/24/08 9:36 AM, "Robert J. Wilson" <bwilson4use@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I don't like to talk politics at work, especially in an open office like room 209. In other areas, folks can walk away and get back to work. But around my desk, it is distracting and none of us has a charge number for talking politics.

As I offered to Ron Hooser, I'm quite happy to talk politics, religion or any other subject at lunch, away from the office or after work at a bar. That offer still stands. But Friday afternoon's discussion in room 209, our open office area, showed exceptionally poor judgment.

So, I just took the next step towards owning a piece of the political process; I made a donation to Barack Obama's presidential campaign. It is large enough to show up in the list of donors when the online database is updated. So this is not a theoretical exercise. Friday's buzz made it necessary.

But it's going to take more than just me and the others who've acted so far -- it's going to take a movement.

It's going to take millions of people working together to compete against John McCain and the RNC in all 50 states. They are raising more money than ever -- collecting huge checks from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs who will do everything in their power to maintain their influence in Washington with a third term of George Bush's disastrous policies.

We're not going to play that game.

Barack Obama is not taking any contributions from Washington lobbyists or political action committees.

We're transforming the political process by bringing together millions of ordinary Americans in a campaign that's owned by no one but the people.

I know where to make follow-up donations, as necessary. But if I'm busy working, I tend to put things off instead of making follow-up donations:

https://donate.barackobama.com/donateinvite

Feel free to share this note with others who may need a clue.

Bob Wilson

* * * *

So I sort of take the point of view, "What you sow, so shall you reap." My e-mail address by now is in their SPAM trap and that is a good thing. If they get more 'junk mail,' darn, what a shame.

Bob Wilson

Re: Talkin' trash in the office
 

Gutsy, but reminds me why I enjoy not working in cube world anymore (I'm a work at home mom these days.)

Today I printed and posted some "Obama '08" and "Geeks for Obama / Biden" signs (you can make your own signs, here) in one of my windows since the McCain / Palin signs have been pushing up like daisies in my neighborhood in the past week. The Ford Escape Hybrid's already Obama-branded via a magnet under the rear HYBRID badge, though I haven't convinced my hubby yet (he's an undecided voter, or has just labeled himself as such to stop my yammering ;)) so it may end up with a McCain magnet on it at some point, too... but only when he's driving it.

Re: Talkin' trash in the office
 

Yet you have more than 500 posts on this forum?

Re: Talkin' trash in the office
 

Yes, I do agree with spinner. You must not do anything like that next time. :embarass:

Re: Talkin' trash in the office
 

We will have to agree to disagree:

1. Political activities at work - we are on a government contract and it is not a contract to engage in political activities. We just passed April 15, do you approve of tax payer dollars supporting political activities in the workplace?
2. Management - totally failed, both direct and HR, to issue any reminders that political activites at work violate our corporate ethics on time charging as well as laws forbidding political at Federal work places. The only remaining appeal would have been to the Inspector General and that could have ended not only the jobs of the offenders but also the other hundreds of employees who actually do an honest day's labor DOING THEIR JOBS!
3. Existing SPAM flow - our e-mail accounts already have leaky SPAM filters and get a bunch already. This was just another piece of the flotsom except it was to the point.

There is a Supreme Count case coming up about personal use of corporate e-mail. In this case, it is employee initiated. In my case, it was external to the corporate e-mail except to deliver a very pointed message.

When someone steals time from my employer, which includes the American taxpayer, I object and will continue to object. When every legitimate and responsible party fails to do the right thing and I am painted into a corner, I will not go down without taking action to solve the problem. I am a problem solver and the e-mail, the least offensive action, worked.

BTW, if you are interested in getting e-mail addresses, use "finger" and "x500.nasa.gov". The point is NASA e-mails are already exposed to worse that has nothing to do with work (i.e., want some Viagra or to meet a 'hot chick'?) This X500 public service let's anyone harvest as many NASA based e-mail addresses as they might wish. My pointed, direct, to the five worst offenders, tax payer money thieves, did exactly what was needed!

BTW, I maintain getting someone to DO THEIR WORK is a work related e-mail. You may have a different opinion ... say looking the other way when some steals time and money from the work place ... you have your ethics and they thankfully are not mine. I will not be complicit with theivery ...
Bob Wilson

Re: Talkin' trash in the office
 

Ten

Year

Old

Thread

Re: Talkin' trash in the office
 

I agree with you!