About minute silences at work

[onesupplied]

We had a one minute silence today to recognise the Grenfell tragedy.

We all received an email well in advance about this. Our office manager sets off an alarm at 11am and when the silence is over. We've (sadly) done this a couple of times now in the past month.

There still remain a few colleagues who seem to take no notice. Although not talking they're typing, clicking, scrolling, shuffling papers.

AIBU to think that this is bloody disrespectful and that everyone can afford to take one minute out of their day?

Same in our office today and every silence. Makes me rage as it's so disrespectful

I think it's up to people to decide whether they want to observe a silence or not.

I do but I don't think it should be compulsory. At least they're being quiet.

Gosh- is no-one calling them out on it? I'd have to say something.

By contrast, we've done them in school. High school, just before breaktime, 1600 teenagers- absolutely impeccably observed. Heads bowed, absolute silence.

Yes you are being unreasonable. If the phone rings I have to answer it. My manager sits next to me and would know if I didn't answer, I would be in deep shit. So you can tut and stare at me talking all you like but I have no choice, my role is phone based. I can't answer and say "sorry there is a minutes silence" I have to deal with the phone call.

That really shocks me. I work in a school and any member of staff who that did that would be in big trouble.
We're expected to set an example. You stop what you're doing for a minute's silence and I've never known anyone not observe one at work.

Leccybill- our school was the same. I was in the hall with a load of kids. Every one stood up and observed it in total silence.

I dont understand a minute silence, I understand its about respect, however you can give respect in many ways. I always do them, but just cant get my head around them.

Wateroffaduck none of our roles are phonecall based. It's not that sort of business.

Yes I understand if they just want to be quiet instead of taking part. But they're not being quiet. Mouse scrolling, clicking and typing is noisy in a deadly silent office!

Unless you're literally saving a life I don't see how anyone cannot take one minute out of their day to observe

And yes explained in first message, there is a bell rung to signify start and end plus an email at the start of the day.

I think it's up to people to decide whether they want to observe a silence or not.

^ this

I think people like to, and should be able to, decide in their own way how to pay their respects. As long as they were being quiet if others were taking part.

It's hard to know. I could be in the middle of something concentrating and not notice. But you think they'd notice with a bell.

I don't understand how receptionists or hotel staff manage. What do you do if the phone rings? Or a customer wants to check in/ out?

We did the same today. A colleague further up the office was asking another colleague a question, first colleague said "I can't answer you, it's the minutes silence", another question was asked and again "I can't answer, it's a minutes silence". FFS! You're ruining the silence by saying you can't answer!
I wouldn't care but we'd all had an email and the fire alarm had gone off to signal the start of it.

YANBU. Although I do think it should be a personal decision. I also feel that anyone who chooses not to observe a minutes silence should also not cause a distraction to others, maybe even leave the vicinity if they are unable to do that.

I think it loses its meaning if it becomes compulsory.

I thought we lived in a free country, being frowned upon for not grieving in the exact prescribed way with a bunch of tosspots that you work with, is soul destroying

I don't understand this minute silence thing. I don't think it changes anything. We had to do it at work today.

I don't understand how receptionists or hotel staff manage. What do you do if the phone rings? Or a customer wants to check in/ out?

They take the phone off the hook.

I think it's up to people to decide whether they want to observe a silence or not.

This. Just like it's up to people whether they wear a poppy or not.

And I say that as a military wife who always, without fail, wears a poppy and equally observes the silence where there have been events that have resulted in mass loss of life.

If it's forced, it's meaningless.

AIBU to think that this is bloody disrespectful and that everyone can afford to take one minute out of their day?

Well no not everyone can. I work in an operating theatre and was dealing with a particularly risky anaesthetic at 11am. Some of us have to be fully focused on our work.

I failed at work the other week the other week because I was interrupted by a couple of colleagues. we are not all glued to our desks - I had to pop out for my own silence
i managed today as i wasnt at work

Of course it isn't compulsory but by talking/making noise in other ways during a minutes silence you are spoiling the chance for other people to reflect/pray/remember. You don't have to understand why we do it or agree with it.... although I really struggle to understand what anyone can object to.
Basically you are being a massive dick if you spoil this for others so just don't.