How much chat is too much chat?

[GaynorGoodwin]

At work we have four teams. Three small teams(and then there’s the big team. They are a close clan, get on well together, go out evenings, meals out, etc, but my god do they go on about it. The chat starts with two of them and before long it’s all 6 of them. It goes on...and on. Trying to hear over the phone is not always easy, laughter, etc. I’m not miserable but what do I do? My other team members don’t like it but never say a word about it all...
What do I do as it’s putting me off the job?

Is there a senior manager? If they arent aware of the problem a short email just outlining what you've said should be enough - having a senior person sat in the area for a couple of weeks usually does the trick.

Its more of a problem if theyre joining in or starting it up in the first place

You can always go a bit more sneaky and request working from home as a "solution" to increased office noise?

To answer your question though - what you've described is too much chat!

Sounds very attention-seeking and irritating for anyone not involved.

Fine to chat in a lunch room or sitting outside but disruptive if staff inside are trying to take customer calls.

Maybe have a quiet word with the team leader or project manager, that they need to be aware of the effect it's having on other people trying to work.

Thanks to you both. We do have a manager that’s comes in just once a week (she works at head office the remainder of the week). Although she’s generally ok, more recently she’s been chatting with them too. I think I need to look for something new as I don’t see the situation improving much.

I work in a big open plan office. Part of my job is writing and I really need quiet to do it. Sometimes the levels of chat are unbearable. My boss has agreed that if it's bad we can go and work elsewhere with a laptop. Perhaps you could suggest something similar?

They encourage chat where I am, so if you're doing something quiet or need to concentrate; we use headphones/headsets for the phone or go somewhere like a meeting room.

If the manager joins in with the chat and most of the wider team haven't voiced displeasure, I can't see it realistically changing much.

Are there any other managers of the other teams in the open plan office on site? They are probably better places to monitor and action.

You can ask for another desk further away from the chatty team, or permission to wear noise cancelling earphones, or mention someone has complained on the phone about the background noise sounding like a party all the time. Ask them to have a word and keep your name out of it.

...and I have no problems with chatting 1-1, or small groups at an appropriate volume level when others are trying to concentrate or are on phones.