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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Idle Chatter

Every office has one.  You know the person.  The one who can't be quiet. Who has to fill a void that doesn't exist with noise.  Standing in the cube aisle making idle conversation, annoying those around them. The one who makes chit-chat.

Chit-chat in and of itself is benign.  Something to be done when nothing else is to be done.  However, when you have a person in the office with apparently nothing else to do but chit-chat among others who have actual duties to perform, the effects can be devastating on productivity and moral.
That aimless person, unless managed effectively, curtails the productivity of others.  Sowing seeds of resentment in their wake. They seldom recognize boundaries, leaving the person they are bothering to be blunt.

Times are tough.  Everyone should be putting their shoulder to the wheel, showing their value to their employer regardless of the state of the company.  If your company is in the midst of downsizing, your work ethic will be recognized by recommendations after the job has been eliminated.  If you are lucky enough to be in a company that is stable, you will likely to be around for another day.

The old adage 'idle hands are the devils workshop' hold true in this day and age.  Idle chit-chat brings nothing but problems.

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