I don't know how much more I can take!

[laurac]

Almost a year ago, a friend of mine came to work for the same company that I work for. I've known her for 14 years and we've worked together this is 3 times in those 14 years. She told me she had been looking at this company and they had an opening and asked me about it so I told her what I knew and connected her to the HR gal. Then kind of put in a good word to what is now her boss. Well, she's been here, like I said, almost a year and we sit too close together. She talks on her cell phone or her desk phone on personal calls for at least 40 minutes every day. She doesn't come in until 8:30 most days and works until 5. Takes longer lunches with friends in the area (not me). It drives me nuts to hear her on her cell phone a short distance from where I sit and I know others, her boss included) can hear her! I almost feel responsible for bringing her here even though I didn't. And, what's worse, is I thought she had a better work ethic than that. And maybe I'm more than a little disappointed in that.

IDK if I should tell her that everyone can hear her on the phone, kind of an FYI, because I don't want her to bury herself if lay-offs come around. She's already one of those people who always say she'll be the first to be let go. ( I hate when people do that)

Anything??

[bumblebee23]

I think if you boss can hear her there isn't much you can do about it he already knows if she isn't doing her job. I can imagine working somewhere and having a friend come in sounds like fun but if they are not doing their jobs up to par or taking advantage of certain things it can make you embarrassed because you know her and also disgusted by there actions or lack thereof.

I think bringing up the cell phone thing might be good but like I said if her head really is on the chopping block the boss already knows and ultimately it is his responsibility to talk to her if she is not doing her job they way he wants her to.

Good luck!

[bunsy]

You could tell her that her voice really carries and its distracting. That may only make her less annoying to you. She's obviously already let her "true colors" be known in the office. It's not your responsibility.

[ReneeW]

Hmmmm, that is tough. It's not your responsibility (her boss should be talking to her if she's spending time on the phone for personal reasons instead of working and if she's not at her desk on time etc.), but as a friend you may want to say something along the lines of what Bunsy recommended, as in, "Just so you're aware, I can hear you when you're on the phone and I just wanted to give you a head's up -- so you don't talk about anything that you don't want others in the office to know about" or something along those lines. ... Or you could act surprised and say, "Wow, I was way down the hall and I could hear you on the phone to so-and-so ... just wanted to let you know that." kind of a thing. Good luck! And don't worry - it's not a reflection on you, it's a reflection on her alone.

[cwolbeck]

Maybe talk to HR about setting up an anonymous suggestion box for the workplace. Put a suggestion in there about her.