To think this is unprofessional?

[Chrissywakeupp]

I have a catch up with my manager on Teams. We’re talking when suddenly (from his side) there’s a blast of music.

He apologised and said “my wife is on TikTok sat on the sofa next to me”. He wasn’t on camera for reference.

This just made me feel really uncomfortable that there was someone else in the room, listening to our conversation. Aibu to think it’s unprofessional?

YANBU. Unless he lives in a tiny studio or something. He should arrive least have a corner and not have people sat right next to him.

I’d have asked him to get back to me when he could guarantee privacy. Awful.

YANBU.
Any work meeting should not have partners or children listening. A 1-2-1 with a manager especially so

My previous manager had her elderly mother in the room once. After that we only met in person

YANBU, that's very unprofessional, and likely breaking confidentiality rules at your work.

YANBU

No one should be listening without your knowledge

If he has a 1 room flat, he needs to tell you in advance so you can moderate what you are comfortable discussing

Never during a one to one though - that is definitely private!

Are you concerned about anything specific that was said?

Did you tell him it wasn't acceptable?

I think this is an HR issue and should be reported - unless you think it's a one off and you're convinced he won't do it again

Were you discussing anything confidential? I would not be happy but I suspect it happens a lot. I know I can sometimes hear noise in the background during zoom calls.

His or her use of the word ‘sat’ is also grating.

Or, he was simultaneously scrolling tik tok when supposedly having a 1-1 and concocted this story..

Very likely.

Either way, he's very rude and I'd be really annoyed

It is unprofessional. When I think of the open plan offices we have at work, anyone can overhear all kinds of confidential conversations there as well if the meeting is online.

Totally unprofessional!

my weirdo boss has his cleaner sorting out his flat behind him all the time!

I don't think I'd care tbh and I also WFH.
It's just work and if he as manager doesn't take his more senior role seriously enough to either put his phone down and on silent, or sit in a private space during meetings, then that's on him. I'd just make a mental note and ensure I'd done my part regardless. Some things aren't worth getting "really annoyed" about and this is one of them. There are far more important things in life to expend energy on.

Did he have headphones on so she couldn’t hear your side of the conversation? Still not ideal but that’s pretty basic.

I have a NDN two doors away that WFH for a big company. Utility company. She takes meeting calls and talks to clients in the garden on the phone with the loudspeaker on and everyone for 30 yards can hear it all. Including names addresses and the post codes of clients.
We also know all about her personal life as well, who she dislikes in the company, what policies are wrong, all overheard of an evening when she is talking to friends. We also know she's an alcoholic that has booze delivered.
There are times when she is louder than normal, so we think she's probably pissed.
So I don't think YABU

I have the same neighbour I think! My kids are always outraged at the shouting down the phone, fag and drink in hand, during working hours

Randomly ask him how that rash is doing :)

Unpopular opinion but this is why WFH gets a bad rep. A lot of people are simply just taking the piss, abusing WFH.

He wasn’t on camera so I have no idea. But I’m assuming I likely wouldn’t have heard the music if he was.

Personally I wouldn’t care at all.

But I guess I prefer a more relaxed/casual work culture.

Just depends on the culture where you I work, I suppose.

I agree it depends on the culture of where you work. We are a very relaxed organisation, nothing is particularly confidential, market sensitive etc. I’ve been in calls with peoples other half’s wandering around in the back, kids, pets, delivery men, builders, you name it. It’s never particularly bothered me, but as I say we’re a very chilled out work place.

If you're in the office there's undoubtably someone sat in the next desk who could very well listen in too. Who cares? I wouldn't be calling my manager unprofessional if I wanted to get on with things.

Not ideal but I’m afraid it’s a consequence of working from home, which companies are often endorsing because it saves them money.
Not everyone has a dedicated private room they can use for working with no interruptions. I bet it’s not written into many or any companies policies that anyone else in the home should be shut into another room while you’re on meetings.
I do ensure I have total privacy if I’m in a meeting discussing confidential client information.

I don't think it matters whether other people would be OK with it as your boundaries are yours to set.

My boss is often working from home whilst his wife works from home, and they share a home office. I don't really mind as I expect she has zero interest in what we're discussing. If I wanted or needed privacy I'd make that clear. But that doesn't mean you should be OK with it.

Meanwhile, I'd be very unimpressed by someone being sat on the sofa for what I'd deem an important meeting and would find that unprofessional in itself.

You wouldn't find it weird if your boss was bringing his wife to a meeting?
Even in a relaxed/ casual work environment, it does not happen.

Inappropriate and rude!