askST Jobs: Meetings and chats at the breakout area next to my desk can get quite ‘lively’. What can I do?
Shared spaces are for everyone, but consideration and clear ground rules can prevent friction.
In shared office spaces, meetings and conversations can sometimes become quite lively and disruptive to those nearby. To address this issue, it is important for employees to be considerate of one another and establish clear guidelines for using the space. Certified senior professional Li Fengling suggests that colleagues should feel comfortable addressing any disruptions in a friendly manner, as this is more effective than involving HR.
She explains that open-concept offices may not contain conversations, so what may be a casual chat for one group could be background noise for others. Workplace Asia's managing partner, Tan Weixi, recommends focusing on setting practical, agreed-upon guidelines rather than imposing rules. Some examples include limiting the duration of group discussions and controlling the volume during core working hours.
By clearly communicating these expectations, employees can better understand how to use the shared space responsibly.
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