<p>I have a moral dilemma at work and I would appreciate any/all opinions. </p>
<p>The short of it is: All of us in my office are independent contractors who are given office space, often sharing an office with 2-4 others. Most of the time I work from home, but I do use my office space several times a week - usually when no one else is here. There are two other desks in my area. One is never used by the contractor assigned to it. The other desk is used by the contractor assigned to it, but she uses it for her “other” business. I have walked in on her while she is on the phone with her customers from this other business. She has discussed this other business with me and tells me she is excited that it is starting to take off.</p>
<p>I found out this contractor has asked that I be moved from the office because I am “too loud.” Essentially, I believe this contractor wants the office to herself so she can shut the door and run her other business. Do I tell the manager or keep my mouth shut?</p>
<p>I’m inclined to tell the manager because I really like my office space, don’t want to have to change my phone number and/or extension which may mean I miss calls from my clients because they have the wrong number. And, frankly, I’m mad that I have to move so this person can have the office to herself to run her other business.</p>
<p>The flip side is that I become the office snitch - definitely not a position I want to be in. </p>
<p>It’s not clear if you work for the same company, even though you are independent contractors. If so, I would say something. It’s not “snitching” to tell the manager that she’s distracting you by running another business in the office. She’s probably noticed your surprise that she’s working another job on the side - from her perspective it’s better to circumvent things rather than have you complain first.</p>
<p>Perhaps she doesn’t like her “other” customers hearing the background sounds of the actual business being run.</p>
<p>The woman is comfortable complaining about you to the manager and she has put her own needs over your feelings, so she’s already set a negative tone.</p>
<p>We do all work for the same company, but are each independent contractors. The worst part is that I do all my customer calls from home except when I am on duty to take customer calls that come into the office. The only other noise in our office is me typing on my keyboard. She is here right now taking a call from her other business! Boy, does this make me mad.</p>
<p>You say you found out she requested that you be moved. Are they moving you? In which case I think you have a legitimate reason to protest the move for valid business reasons-ie- impact on your clients. At that time you would alsothen be able to reveal that she is running another business from the space. </p>
<p>If they are not going to move you-leave it alone.</p>
<p>I will be moved unless I say something. She has been with the company longer than I have, so she has “seniority”. I will be the one moved unless I “snitch”.</p>
<p>If she has requested something that would have a negative impact on your clients because it makes things more convenient for her to do something she shouldn’t be doing, then you should inform the manager.</p>
<p>I would call it self-defense. I suppose you could consider approaching the other woman, and suggesting that “we sit down together with the manager and discuss how the office is being used, so we can work this out.” She might change her mind about the request.</p>
<p>I’m exaggerating when I say retaliation, but the OP’s first responsibility is to do what is best for her business - this woman is undermining her company, so of course she should take action.</p>
<p>I agree that self-defense is in order. I do not think that you should attempt to sit down and work this out with the complainer. She has already displayed ruthlessness and a lack of ethics by stabbing YOU in the back. If you try to reason with her, she will probably turn it into “colmom confronted me angrily and threatened me if I did not withdraw my request.” Try defending yourself against that charge with no witnesses.</p>
<p>Generally, I believe that assuming good intentions is the best policy, but in this case, when the knife has already been planted between your shoulder blades, the time for conciliation is long gone. Just be sure to make it clear that your concern is for the business.</p>
<p>As independent contractors, I would assume you still have to prove productivity. I would use that as my defense.</p>
<p>I would ask to have a 1 on 1 with the manager to review your performance. I would not mention any of this issue unless they bring it up. HOWEVER, I would highlight my strengths of meeting your target/goals.</p>
<p>If this other person is using it to do other business her productivity would probably be lower, thus, you just politely placed the kernel in the managers mind that if they moved you, the upheaval could affect the bottom line for the business, something the manager’s arse will be placed on the line for when it comes to their review. No good manager is going to get in a personal tit for tat, all they care about is CYA.</p>
<p>You need to approach it from a professional, managerial standpoint. From that point, the mgr only cares about productivity since you are independents. In other words the BOTTOM LINE.</p>
<p>If this lady is using the company’s resources (phone and Internet access are not free) to do her own business on the side without the company’s permission, she is stealing from her employer. If you are being paid by the hour, and this lady is charging her presence in that office to your company, again, she is stealing. She is the one who should be thinking about morality here.</p>
<p>Definitely level with your employer. You are covering for her, as it is. I would be very honest and I wouldn’t feel the need to hide my anger (too much.) She has a lot of nerve, and you are in her way.</p>
<p>My thoughts exactly. Also, if she tells your employer that you were aware she was doing this and looked the other way, this may reflect very poorly on you. Given that she has taken the first step and is seeking to have you moved, you shouldn’t hesitate to let your boss know about her non-work related calls.</p>
<p>Agree with the solid advice from BB. And if she is stealing from the company she is affecting its productivity that may affect all of your jobs in the long run.</p>