losing own's private office

[Anonymous]

A high-ranking colleague of mine lost his private office due to expense cuts. He now shares an office with three others. The psychological impact is tremendous, to the point that he may resign.

How would you react?

[Ron Weasley]

If your friend was singled out, I would start looking this morning. However, if similarly high ranking individuals were receiving similar treatment, I would look for the bigger picture. This could simply be one of those annoying things, or it could be in indicator of larger problems for the company. If there are larger problems, then the choice must be made to either stick it out or jump ship.

I doubt that simply complaining would be useful.

RW

[Maria Erisa]

I agree with Ron. Now, if he starts getting treated like Milton in the movie 'Office Space', he should get out of there quickly.

"Um, yeaaaah, Milton. We'd like you to move your desk a little bit farther back. We need this space to store some boxes."

[Maine-iac]

If others were treated similarly that might take some of the curse off it. In a similar position in another company would he likely be a cubicle dweller or office type? If the company was correcting past extravagence that might not be too bad either.

Still, I think it would be pretty hard to take.

[Anonymous]

If he has other options, he should definitely leave. IMHO, we employees are much too complacent about letting our employers set the tone for working environment and compensation!

[Anonymous]

On 2001-12-07 10:55, Anonymous wrote:
IMHO, we employees are much too complacent about letting our employers set the tone for working environment and compensation!


Amen, Brother! Morale is such a key part of modern business success. Even if the guy didn't mind losing his private office, the company can't keep other people from drawing their own conclusions. If others perceive that he is being punished, or that just because you achieve a level that entitles you to an office doesn't mean you get to have the office, it dampens sentiment throughout the group. It's a much bigger statement than just "we need to save a little dough." BTW, what will go into the office now that it has been vacated? The Encyclopedia of Cost Savings? The answer to that question will tell you all you need to know about the management of that company.

[Anonymous]

The company I work at has moved people from offices to cubes outside those offices (the empties do not contain people at this point) until they achieve the proper `status'. Needless to say turnover has increased somewhat.

[Laffit Pincay, Jr.]

I've known of companies that have reconfigured their space or moved into new space that involves dumping everyone out of the offices and putting everyone in cubicles. It was part of that Apple computer type work revolution meant to get the communication and creativity going. About all that most people got out of the revolution was business casual which turned into a Khaki Dockers uniform.

By a fluke of real estate I am currently in a huge office, actually a suite all by myself. My office alone is bigger than most Ins Co vice president's offices. The little kitchen and sink are a nice amenity. I know it could change as leases and sub-leases come and go and it wouldn't bother me a bit to lose my office. Given a computer and phone I would work from the hallway as long as I have plenty of interesting work.

[Anonymous]

I agree, if everyone is moving to cubes, or at least downgrading in workspace, it can be acceptable.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Is it any worse than the scene from "Brazil," in which our protagonist shares a desk, BUT NOT THE OFFICE!?

[Anonymous]

Slightly off topic...but at a prior employer, the floor layout was reorganized so that more cubicle-dwellers could be crammed into the same amount of space. We referred to it as "densification" (a term that may have been heisted from a Dilbert comic strip).

[Anonymous]

It just seems a little odd that a "high ranking" person would have to share an office with 3 other people. How much does real estate cost in relation to salary, anyway? If this person loses productivity (not to mention morale), was the change worth it? Maybe the company does not have the heart to fire him directly.

By the way, I have a lovely office (formerly the guest bedroom).