To think this is absolutely ridiculous?

Yes to the loops etc, but from experience of being given a similarly inappropriate office space, invite senior managers to meetings in your office. Often. It doesn't matter if it's too small or not set up for meetings, mine was the same. Get them physically into the space, as many of them as you can, as often as possible. This is what I did. An "office" that had been used that way for years was redesigned as storage space within a month of me staying to work there, purely because I made sure managers couldn't ignore it

How?

While you try and find a solution, I’d suggest Loop ear defenders. They are largely invisible and there are several types to choose from. I got some for my autistic son for secondary school as he didn’t want to wear over the head defenders and attract comments. They may help you cope with the noise. Sounds bloody awful.

My employer won’t let me work from home more than 1 day a week.

How would they know if you put one of the Teams fake backgrounds on?
I’d certainly try wfh more often and see if anyone complains. Just the odd extra day here and there to start with, when the noise gets too much, and slowly increase the at home days of no one notices.

But after say 20 years of paying subs you would’ve been better off keeping your money and paying out for an employment solicitor’s advice if needed?

I’ve worked in the private, public and third sectors, some unionised and some not. I’d always recommend being in a union because it’s always fine, until it’s not, and when things go wrong, you need someone independent from your employer on your side.

I would never make that comment in a professional capacity. However I have seen colleagues completely fucked over with very poor service from unions they’ve paid subs to for decades.

i think often times people who have only worked in unionised environments don’t realise that in most companies absolutely no one is a member of a union.

I’d always recommend people join a union, recognised or not. Their role covers much more than turning up to meetings and absolutely essential for worker protection. They can give helpful advice well before an issue reaches a formal stage and a good union rep can help things not get to formal process in the first place.

I’d also never trust a manager who says not to join a union.

Turn off the ambient noise setting on Teams (so it becomes unbearable!) then arrange a Teams call with your boss / HR /OH and show them what it's like.

Turn down a few important meetings and say you can't do Teams calls between X - Y times because of the background noise.

Say you are menopausal and have become very noise sensitive as a result and ask for a reasonable adjustment, sound proofing the office, adjusting hours so more are when the ride isn't running, new office or wfh. Make every request in writing and cc your manager and HR/ OH.

Mention it in every 1:1 with line manager, at every performance review etc, make sure it is documented.

People saying its fine because the ride operators have to hear it too are missing the point - they are not having to focus on an administrative role and sit in meetings at the same time like the OP! I really hope you can get a move.

I'd go down the can't focus on job route before the occupational health one. They might just give her some earplugs.

I am a union rep.

I would do 2 things. Firstly I would start reporting it to HR or your line manager every time it interferes with your work. Eg if a Teams meeting is disrupted then email your line manager/HR immediately to explain the impact of the disruption every single time.

Secondly ask for an occupational health assessment. If this is causing headaches, stress or anxiety make sure you describe this in the assessment. Emphasise that you are looking for help with solutions.

Encourage your office-mate to do the same.

Oh I haven’t been in a union. Just had to deal with them from the management side occasionally.

I work directly for a union... don't recognise that description at all. Sorry you've had poor experiences.

Union membership can be beneficial but this is an existing issue and most unions won't take those cases - you're expected to have the insurance in place before the car crashes, so to speak.

ACAS can be helpful, I agree.

@LoudLimeBeaker are you junior/green? Unless you are, it’s a huge PITA to lose and then have to find, recruit and hire another corporate employee. You’re the best judge of what you can get away with, but if I were you I’d just… not go into the office and work from home, then when queried tell your manager the noise was distracting and you’re more effective at home, or of course if there’s another desk space available you can come in? if you’re valuable enough to them they may not want to lose you over something stupid like this.

That is ridiculous, the ride operators don"t need to concetrate on written work or on what people are saying in meetings so the noise won't interfere with their primary role.

It's a bit like working for findus fish fingers in the office and complaining about a roof leak, to be told 'well our fishermen get wet when they fish, why should you be dry?" It is bonkers

That’s crazy! It’s not as if you’re a ride operator you’re being asked to do an office based role inside a fairground ride! I would WFH more if you dare, and state how unproductive it is for you to do your job whilst inside a ride.

Does OP want to take it this far though? She could be fairly easily dismissed and even if not having only been there a short time it won’t be well received. HR have already said no.

OP I think if you’re this militant about it maybe it would be better to resign?

I’d work from home regardless and say you can’t perform in your job due to noise levels. But you will come in if you can work from another building.

Call ACAS for advice. I would try and get a referral to Occupational Health, say that you're suffering from headaches due the noise. Get them to suggest an office move as a reasonable adjustment.

just in case you don't realise @LoudLimeBeaker each of the 3 resources which are bolded in my post, take you directly to each relevant site 😊

eta; just hover your cursor over them and click