Back to everyone, or facing everyone?

[bc13]

Since I'm starting a new job this week, and trying to organize myself in a new office, I have a new question for everyone.

At all my jobs, it seems the computers are always situated so you have your back to everyone, which drives me totally nuts!  When I first started working, I couldn't move the PC, but it had a glass screen, so I could always tell when somebody was standing behind me, or walking by, and I used to drive them nuts when I would talk to people without turning around - they couldn't figure out how I knew they were there!  :-)  

Each job since then, I try my absolute best to have the computer screen between me and the door, or main traffic area, so I can keep an eye on everyone coming and going while I'm working.  (And they can't see my screen and what I'm working on, either...)

Does having your back to people totally drive you nuts?  And if you have your back to everyone, how do you keep your privacy as to what is up on your computer screen?

bc13

[countrigal]

In my company, it is actually a safety issue to have your back to the door.  So when at all possible, all offices are set up so that you can see the door while on your computer.

For me specifically, I go a step further and ensure that my screen is not viewable to the casual observer, either just entering the office or standing at my desk, as I deal with a lot of protected data or items that need to be kept confidential.  I do my best to do this while at the same time ensuring that I can freely see anyone who comes into the office or simply comes up to my desk.

And those times I've had a desk where this wasn't possible and I had my back to the entrance to my desk, then I posted a mirror over my desk so that I could easily see when/if anyone came up to me.  Didn't help a lot with confidential information, except for the glare screens that limited visibility by location (not perfect but better than nothing in these situations) so I was really glad to leave that office.

In my personal opinion, no person should work on a computer and not have view to someone walking into their office or up to their desk.  Computers are able to be placed almost anywhere, desks can normally be moved to allow this, and it's safer for the employee and the data and information that they process.  Definitely, if you're arranging your office, make it the best you can for yourself while still meeting the needs of your boss.

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

[msmarieh]

Drives me nuts! I hate people sneaking up on me.

I always turn my desk so I am facing the door and / or people.

Marie

[gee4]

We sit in rows with 3 in each row.  I am at the end of a row so people tend to 'hang' at the end of my desk for work or to chat - I'm ok with that.  The three people behind me sit with their backs to us and so on up the office.  As it's open plan everyone can more or less see each other's screens but what I would say is, if you can see what's on someone else's screen, then you can't be that busy.  Personally I don't care what other people are doing as long as I am doing my job.

G

[geminigirl]

I really hate anyone being able to 'sneak' up on me - must be my guilty conscience  But seriously, working with confidential data means that you shouldn't allow your work to be seen.

I even hate sitting with my back to the room in a restaurant ... paranoid or what!

[Katie G]

This is actually something I'm going to have to seriously consider in the next year since I'll be losing my private office when we move to our new "cube farm".  I also work with a lot of confidential data and will have to be extra careful with how I situate myself -- although I may not have much choice in the matter if the cube's as tiny as they're purported to be.  May have to look into a screen filter or something......

Not looking forward to losing my three filing cabinets, but that's another post.....

[diamondlady]

I sit sideways next to a window.  So, I keep the blind down for privacy for folks walking up and down the sidewalk looking in.  And, this way I can watch people walking outside the hallway a little better.  Before, I was facing the window with my back to the door.  I never knew who was in my office and who snuck in to see my boss.  Not a good thing.  There were arguments over who snuck in and interupted them rudley, which I didn't know about til afterwards.  So at least I can monitor what's going on much better.

Diamondlady
Peer Moderator

[raindance]

I have my own room, but still make sure that I can see the door (out of the corner of one eye); Bossie's room is just off mine and I can keep an eye on her, too.  So I can see everyone coming - friend or "foe" - and even have splendid windows on two sides of my office .

Raindance

[officeguru]

Our company has everyone's cubicles situated so that our backs are to the 'door' area.  Which means people coming up can see our screens.... personally, I think they do this on purpose - figuring people are less likely to be cruising the internet when they aren't suppose to.  

I'm forever not realizing someone is at my desk until they say something - and I don't like that at all.

[raindance]

One of my colleagues has her back to people - just because that's the way her work area is planned.  She keeps a very small mirror in a strategic position on her desk in which she can see approaching persons! Truly devious, but quite effective, so I'm told.

Raindance

[tiffanyctd]

If you have to have your back to the door, then definitely get a mirror. You can get a small one that attaches to your monitor and is convex so you can see the whole area behind you. This is a huge saftey issue, especially if your office is not in a restricted access area.

I think that a lot of people in my city tend to be a little paranoid about security. We're in Tallahassee, Florida, which is where President Bush's brother lives (he's our governor). It's not so bad where I work now (farther out of town), but when I used to work closer to the Capitol, there were a ton of security measures, briefings, etc.