Who's Right?Loud coworker in an open-plan office: how to tell them?
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In short
The best approach is to talk to them directly, one-on-one and calmly, with a clear request rather than a complaint. Suggest a concrete fix, like a meeting room for long calls or a discreet signal you agree on together, before going to your manager.
Both sides
I sit two desks away from Julien, and he takes his client calls practically shouting, several times an hour. I do writing work, I need to focus, and I just can't anymore. I sighed, I put my headphones on very visibly, and nothing changed. After three weeks, I told our manager, because I couldn't see how to bring it up without creating tension.
I'm in sales, being on the phone is part of my job and I've never hidden that. I honestly didn't realize I was that loud, and nobody had said anything. I found out from my manager, in front of the rest of the team, and I felt humiliated. If Inès had just come to me, I'd have been careful right away.
The verdict
Inès is right on the substance: very loud calls, all day long, genuinely disrupt other people's work in an open-plan office. Even if phone calls are part of Julien's job, sharing a space means lowering your voice or stepping away for long calls.
That said, the way she handled it made things harder. Sighs and conspicuous headphones are vague signals that many people simply don't notice. Going straight to the manager without saying a word to Julien took away his chance to fix it on his own.
Julien acted in good faith, but he has his share too: when you're on the phone a lot in a shared space, it's up to you to check now and then that you're not spilling over onto others.
The compromise
Inès and Julien take five quiet minutes to talk it through honestly. Julien agrees to take calls longer than five minutes in a small room or a quiet corner, and they settle on a discreet signal, like a lowered hand, that Inès can use when the volume rises.
Who do you think is right?
Pick a side.
Frequently asked questions
How do you tell a coworker they're too loud without offending them?
Talk to them privately, keep it light, and start from how it affects you: "I struggle to focus when you're on calls, can we figure something out?" A specific request lands much better than a general criticism.
Should I go to my manager first?
Usually not: it's better to try a direct conversation first. Your manager becomes useful if nothing changes after you've talked, or if the office layout is a problem for the whole team.
What if nothing changes after we talk?
Give a simple, friendly reminder in the moment next time. If it keeps happening, ask your manager for team-wide solutions: call rooms, shared open-plan etiquette, or a seat change.
Are headphones enough to send the message?
Rarely. They protect you a little, but most people don't read them as a sign that they're being disruptive. It's better to say it in words.
Can I suggest rules for the whole team?
Yes, and it's often the best option because no one feels singled out. For example: long calls in meeting rooms, quiet hours, or headsets with mics for video calls.
Guide Workplace disputes: the guide
Written with the help of AI, reviewed by the Who's Right team · This is not legal advice. How Who's Right decides
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