Tell your dumb boss there was emergency repair work being done on the pipes so the quieter option was outside

What a miserable human

The bosses who object are a little insane. One of the best things to do for mental health and productivity is get outside into nature.

Misery and productivity over time are INVERSELY related.

I go on camera while sitting on my patio, if anyone, including boss or bosses boss mentions it, it’s only to say they are jealous.
But then again, I work with reasonable people.

I wfh at the movies and restaurants. When they tried to call, I just don’t pick up the phone.

I would not care as a people leader. I'd rather hear the bird at 10am then the typical 5am.

I was on a call with someone and they had a window open. I could see them in their office - and hear the birds chirping outside.

That said, I worked somewhere once where a co-worker was doing some work outdoors on a company patio on a beautiful day. Someone reported them for it.

Anything to make sure that you’re miserable…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, you could be inside with your window open and someone might hear a bird. It doesnt sound that unprofessional to me?

I would have just said I had a window open. But if boss feels strongly about it, just work outside when you're not in meetings.

+1. But I also agree that headphones with a microphone are your friend in any environment with ambient sound (whether outside or in a noisy office or in a room with lots of echo). I even wear them in my home office if it's an important meeting and I want to sound crisp and clear. I bet your microphone quality outside was also not the best.

Optics are important. I work in a group where most people must be in the office to do their job, while my job could be 100% telework if needed. I know a couple coworkers are jealous that I WFH two days a week, so I do my best not to bring attention to it.

Anonymous wrote:I’m hybrid. Today was my WFH day. It is beautiful outside so I sat outside with my laptop. I’ve done this before with my old boss and he didn’t care. During a meeting, I was asked a question so I unmuted myself and answered and muted myself. While I was talking, you could hear a bird chirping. A few minutes ago, my new boss called me to tell me I should be inside during calls because I sounded unprofessional! WTH

Should've told him your window was open since you trying to pay all the bills.

This boss is stupid. Does he want you in a vacuum? We can hear birds in our office even in the office. We also hear traffic and loud music being in downtown DC where one of the homeless people has a boom box

This thread exemplifies that many people’s jobs consist almost entirely of micromanaging trivial nonsense. Any boss who cares about this enough to actually follow up on it clearly has a BS job. Sounds like a lot of commenters on this thread do, too.

I think it doesn’t convey seriousness (potential background noise, many people also don’t have good WiFi outdoors). If it’s an important call, I’d move indoors.

Where were you? Your backyard/porch? Or were you at the pool or the playground with your kids?

Anonymous wrote:Virtual background is your friend.

How does a virtual background disguise bird noises

Boss sounds like a birdbrain.

I am all for enjoying a beautiful day but for the calls, just take it inside. It's easy. Go work outside when not on a call.