Comments on: What Is the Biggest Complaint at Work? http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2010/02/01/what-is-the-biggest-complaint-at-work/ Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:38:16 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Grishnakh http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2010/02/01/what-is-the-biggest-complaint-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-113159 Grishnakh Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:41:38 +0000 http://www.todaysworkplace.org/?p=2940#comment-113159 Temperature is something where you'll never be able to please everyone. Many Americans are seriously obese, and of course they want it freezing cold to make up for their extra insulation, even if they live in Phoenix and it's 115 outside. Others get cold easily. Luckily, it's not hard to put on a sweater or jacket if you're cold. Personally, I can't see leaving a job over it; almost every American office is cold, so you're not going to find a better situation. However, I have some other workplace complaints I haven't seen here. 1) Cubicles vs. bullpens vs. offices. I'd be much happier with an office, I'd be OK with a cubicle, but a bullpen or open-plan office is a no-go. For some strange reason, they seem to be making a huge comeback however. Employers think that workers need to "collaborate" instead of actually concentrate and get work done. 2) Bathrooms. Make sure the building you rent has enough of them, and they're located conveniently. The morons who designed my building put in only one set of bathrooms for our entire floor, which has over 200 people on it (and is partly vacant, it'll be worse if the remaining spaces are leased). It's worse in many companies where most of the employees are male. And it sucks having to walk to one end of the building every time I need to go. 3) Parking. For some strange reason, our building has a huge parking garage, but it's mostly empty, and most of the employees are required to park on the top deck (which is bad because your car gets really hot in the 115-degree heat in Phoenix). The covered spaces below are all reserved; I'm not sure for whom, because they're always empty, but we're not allowed to park there. 4) Private areas, lounges, etc. Employees need a place to go to get away from everyone and relax for a few minutes. No, a "break room" with bright, bright lights and a TV blaring CNN all day is not relaxing. Also make sure there's lots of conference rooms. Temperature is something where you’ll never be able to please everyone. Many Americans are seriously obese, and of course they want it freezing cold to make up for their extra insulation, even if they live in Phoenix and it’s 115 outside. Others get cold easily. Luckily, it’s not hard to put on a sweater or jacket if you’re cold. Personally, I can’t see leaving a job over it; almost every American office is cold, so you’re not going to find a better situation.

However, I have some other workplace complaints I haven’t seen here.

1) Cubicles vs. bullpens vs. offices. I’d be much happier with an office, I’d be OK with a cubicle, but a bullpen or open-plan office is a no-go. For some strange reason, they seem to be making a huge comeback however. Employers think that workers need to “collaborate” instead of actually concentrate and get work done.

2) Bathrooms. Make sure the building you rent has enough of them, and they’re located conveniently. The morons who designed my building put in only one set of bathrooms for our entire floor, which has over 200 people on it (and is partly vacant, it’ll be worse if the remaining spaces are leased). It’s worse in many companies where most of the employees are male. And it sucks having to walk to one end of the building every time I need to go.

3) Parking. For some strange reason, our building has a huge parking garage, but it’s mostly empty, and most of the employees are required to park on the top deck (which is bad because your car gets really hot in the 115-degree heat in Phoenix). The covered spaces below are all reserved; I’m not sure for whom, because they’re always empty, but we’re not allowed to park there.

4) Private areas, lounges, etc. Employees need a place to go to get away from everyone and relax for a few minutes. No, a “break room” with bright, bright lights and a TV blaring CNN all day is not relaxing. Also make sure there’s lots of conference rooms.

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