How do I word this?

[Katie G]

OK, my job duties here include doing work on the budget.  Right now my work area is a regular desk and a computer desk up against a wall.  This is a VERY high traffic area and I'm beginning to find it a little difficult to work here:



1.  My desk/area is out in the open and people feel that means it's okay to just come up an interrupt me.  Now, I know this is part of the job, but, when I'm bent over a budget report printed in micro-print with my magnifying/highlighting ruler and I'm tapping out numbers on the calculator and jotting down figures and notes elsewhere, trying to figure out where a certain charge came from, I really resent being interrupted to ask me where a phone book is, especially since they are in a central location and there are any number of other people standing around shooting the breeze who could be asked.  



2.  While I don't actually DO payroll, the numbers show up on reports that I work with.  If I have to get up and make a copy, go to the bathroom, get a paper from somebody else, I have to pack the whole damn thing up and put it away since it's confidential.



3.  I'm running out of room!  The more responsibilities I take on, the more paper is finding it's way to my desk.  I like the added  responsibility, and I work very hard at being organized (it doesn't come naturally) but it's starting to get a little cramped and messy around here.  (I'm starting to have to do the "pile file" thing on the floor.)



There's an empty cube right across the way from me that would be perfect -- just enough privacy and peace to get my stuff done without making me disappear.



Now here's where it gets sticky.  There are 4 other secretaries here on my "level" (we're unionized).  I'd love to move into that cube, but none of the other secretaries have cubes and it might cause some tension, especially since I forgot to mention that I'm the newest one here (only 2 years).  I already have more responsibility than most of them.  Add to that the fact that I found this job through a family member who had been here a looooong time.  I still had to go through the interview process and everything, but it still looked like nepotism to some people.  A cube seems like such a silly thing, but it could really create some tension here that I don't want or need.



Am I being ridiculous?  Is there a tactful way to handle this?

[goldenearring]

Just ask.  It looks as if the requirements of your job merit your having a cube.  I wouldn't worry about how the others think about it.  They'll think and say what they'll think and say regardless of whether you get it or not.  

[chris68]

I agree with GE, can't hurt to ask, obviously the others haven't thought to ask or it would be occupied by now.



The worst that can happen, they say no.



Chris68

 

[andrea843]

Absolutely! and  addressing it from the perspective that you're looking out for your employer is, in my opinion, the way to go about it.



Use the big Three in the meeting: State the problem, solict input and offer a solution.



State the problem:



Set a meeting with your immediate supervisor.  Indicate that you are working with LOTS of confidential information and you don't feel that confidentiality is being maintained adequately.  If possible give an example or two that will help your uspervisor to understand the situation a bit better.  For instance, :gee Bossie, just the other day I was working on the fiscal figures for the new offices and of course that includes the bedgetary line items for payroll, and Bob came along and picked up the whole thing before I could stop him and said " they pay THAT jerk HOW much?" Okay a bit extreme, but Im sure in the context of your situation you can come up with some convincing scenarios.  Also include a short commentary on the constant interuptions, but dont lean on this heavily, it could be viewed as whining.



Solict input:



Pure and simple.  What do YOU Think I should do about it bossie? Listen to Bossie's potential solutions.  Perhaps the cublice will come up without you asking for it:) THAT's a win win because then you get to say,, "HEY it wasnt MY idea!" But if it doesnt...



Offer a solution.



You know, there IS that cubicle right across the way, is that doable for you? I just want to make sure Im not leaving you open for problems should someone see something they shouldn't.  Not to mention it would improve my efficency! Then and this is the imporant part.  Smile an admin smile and SHUT UP! That's the hardest part, but the key to a successful negotiation is allowing the other person to make a decision.  If bossie's is "no" to the cubicle he's sure to have some other ideas.  Listen and implement them.  if they dont work, revisit the longed for cublice issue after a good testing period for bossie's other ideas.



Dont even mention possible out of joint noses, for one thing your request is valid and has little to do with seniority, for another, it's not an issue until it becomes one, and let bossie worry about it.



Let us know how it works out!

[jlkee]

Depending on how your office is set up, maybe you can also suggest that the other Admins get partitions/cubicles too?  That way, you get what you want, and no one's nose is out of joint.



When I first came to work here (12 long years ago!), I didn't have anything partitioning me from the rest of the office, though I had plenty of confidential info (mostly about employees) that I had to deal with.  I also sat in a high-traffic zone, and it became difficult to keep people from looking at what I was working on.  After going to my first Regional Admin meeting, I found out that I was the only one in the Region who didn't have at least a partition shielding me from wandering eyes, so when I returned, I requested it and received it.  We moved about a year after I started, and I received a much more private workspace that I'm generally happy with, but I'm working on getting a door now (some people are just never satisfied



Good luck!

 

[yankeestarbuck]

All I can say is there is nothing you can lose by asking.  Everyone has made great points, and let me tell you this: if you print out your points from this post, it says it all.  You are working with confidential information which is NOT supposed to be handled in a public forum.  If they can't give you a private workspace, they shouldn't give you confidential work.  It's in the company's best interest.  They may agree with you whole heartedly and offer you an afternoon to move.  Go for it!