AIBU to ask colleague to go into another room when she's talking out loud?

[IDoAllMyOwnStunts]

I have a feeling AIBU, but my head is done in today due to having to listen to a colleague talk into her laptop all day.

She is dyslexic and has been given a laptop with special software that writes down what she says.

I cannot zone her out. We are in an open plan office, about 10 of us in total. She speaks in an annoying self important voice into it which adds to my rage.

Would it be totally crap of me to ask her to find a room by herself when she is going to talk into it for any length of time? Not sure what my colleagues think of it all. I may be the only intolerant one.

My daughter is dyslexic so understand she needs the laptop, just the effect it's having on me that I don't like. AIBU? And selfish?

Can you go in another room your self or get some headphones.

Not sure on this one tbh. I have worked in a busy office and there is generally no time where someone isn't talking to each other on the phone. You just need to try and zone out. I would often take myself else where if there was free space or get headphones for other times.

YANU to be distracted or annoyed but I think YWU to ask her to go elsewhere.

Talking to each other OR on the phone that should say.m

Talk to her and explain your problem... that you zone in on her voice, it isn't her problem it is you. Then ask if she would be offended if you plugged in whilst she did it? Tell your boss you have had the conversation, make sure they are OK with it.

Stress the problem is yours and you are trying to find a solution for yourself.

I did this when a Welsh colleague made audio clips... for some reason I cannot ignore his voice and it drives me to absolute distraction. Sadly he did get offended... so I pulled rank and told him to go do it next door

You're probably not the only one who feels like this. We had a colleague who talked SO LOUDLY on the phone constantly, it drove one of us mad. She lost it one day and asked if there was any reason other colleague couldn't do some of this shit networking via email- didn't go down well. Once it was pointed out, it started to get on everyone's tits. Eventually said colleague left and we've been working in glorious silence since.

Viking. Acoustic screens. If she's relying on this system to write all of her correspondence/work plus being on the phone that'll be near constant noise. You can't ask people to work like that long term.

Is it ops problem and not hers though? If she is talking excessively loudly? I'm not too sure, but I think OP would need to tread carefully because regardless of wether or not she is being excessively loud or OP is being sensitive. I think OP certainly is at risk of coming off looking UR either way.

I don't want to move to another room. I have my desk and a stand alone computer on it which I need to work, she has a portable laptop. Plus my desk is next to the copier and kettle!

I don't have music on my iPod. I could download some, but I don't really want to listen to music at work. The office is generally quiet, apart from the odd burst of conversation. I think this has just done my head in today because she's been at it all day, and its not like listening to a normal conversation. She manages to patronise the laptop when she talks to it. God I'm so intolerant!

I would be careful how you handle the situation. She has a special need that the company has addressed by giving her the software to enable her to complete her work. You maybe seen as discriminating against her as you do not like her using it.

To be honest it would drive me absolutely bonkers and would need an ipod or something big hammer to smash up annoying lady's laptop to stop her using it

Canthisonebeused- that's what I'm worried about, if I ask her to move will I look like a total cow? And unsupportive of her dyslexia issues? my mind wanders into her saying its bullying if I ask her to move. Am I over thinking it. Either way I can't stand another day like today.

Nods at Buttercup- exactly!

this is my favourite thing for when people in the office do annoying noises: simplynoise.com/

Don't ask her to move. Can you raise it in supervision that you understand her need but you feel that because of the excessive volume you find it distracting and you feel she could use the software a little quieter.

Hmm. I get where you are coming from but I'm not sure how you can address this without seeming really intolerant. I would work on strategies for yourself that help you to cope with this rather than ask her to move.

Sometimes you have to speak really oddly to get the dictation software to understand what you're saying though. I've used one for work but it had a hissy fit over my accent so I gave up.

Am worried if I bottle it up and do nothing I will be like TheCraicDealers colleague! Won't doing nothing breed more resentment though? What strategies can I use, apart from iPod?

Why does she have to talk loudly though? Can she not speak into a headset linked to the laptop - this must be possible? We have LOUD speakers in our office - you really won't be the only one who hates it

This will be an adjustment she needs for her disability. I use similar software and need to put on a 'telephone voice' for it to work. She should not need to talk louder than normal speaking volume though. As it is disability related I think you should show some understanding in dealing with it - I suggest you might want to raise discreetly with your manager first.

Yes it's definitely a telephone voice she uses. And she wears headphones and mic, she is not excessively loud, just over pronounced. And my ears can't help but tune in. She only sits about 10 feet from me. The office is otherwise quiet. Just her, going on, and on, and on. (Swigs gin).

In that case yabu I'm afraid. Can you wear headphones and listen to music? My office is noisy, so colleagues can't really hear me talking to the computer. She is probably self conscious about it - tread carefully.

I know you're probably right blue, I will be subtle, and careful. I'm sure I can't be the only one who finds it irritating though.

Believe me, it's far more stressful
and irritating to need the disability adjustment. I wish I didn't.

If she is not loud then I think maybe with time you will just have to get used to it. You can wear headphones without listening to music just to prevent you from tuning into her.