I have some major concerns about the way my helpdesk is set up and am looking for some suggestions from experienced staff.
The helpdesk where I am employed is relatively new – only about 8 years. The physical location has always been a rather piecemeal venture. I work in a school district. Therefore, funding and space are always an issue.
To begin with, my location was part of a conference room. This meant that every time someone in the district was having a meeting, I was having to deal with the outside noise and commotion and struggling to hear my callers’ concerns.
I asked to be moved to a more work-conducive location so that I would have the advantage of a quiet environment with a minimum of distractions.
Eventually I was moved. However, they decided to add another desk into this space that included a person employed in Early Childhood. She is on the phone with parents and her staff a lot and this creates such a distraction that I have a terrible time hearing my callers. I did talk to the IT director about this and he said there may be another move in the future. However, I don’t think that move will be within the next two years. There is space down the hall in another room which I suggested to him. Finally, after a few weeks of waiting for results, I brought in a screen to separate our work areas and hopefully, contain some of the noise. This isn’t helping.
I need someone’s suggestion. I am presently wearing a headset on one ear and an earplug on the other. Nothing seems to help. I’m so very frustrated. I don’t feel confident enough to approach my boss again, but, I do notice this is really affecting my demeanor at work. I’m stressed all the time and I think it is reflected in my work. Please give me some help with this. Thank you.