My Co-Worker Is Ignoring a Major Part of Her Health. We're All Worse Off Because of It.

"My co-worker, "Alyssa," joined the office a few months ago. As far as I can tell, she is significantly hard of hearing but doesn't use any hearing aid. I've tried to train myself to speak loudly and clearly with her (I have family who are going deaf, I get it), but she still often misses part of what I say."

"She serves as the front desk person for our suite, which receives a lot of foot traffic from visitors. I'm the backup front desk coverage, and I sit within earshot of her. All day long, I hear her ask people to repeat themselves multiple times. The same thing happens when the executives we assist approach her."

"Having conversations at the volume she requires is disruptive to everyone else in the office, because sound carries to everyone's cubicles/offices, and sometimes people are trying to discuss semi-confidential matters."

An employee on a three-person team is concerned about a coworker's significant hearing loss, which appears to impact her front desk role and creates workplace disruptions. The coworker frequently asks visitors and executives to repeat themselves, sometimes leaves people waiting unnoticed, and requires loud conversations that disturb others in the office. The letter writer has attempted to accommodate by speaking clearly and loudly but remains frustrated. Complicating the situation, the writer already has interpersonal friction with the coworker due to personality differences and worries about appearing ableist or ageist. The boss maintains a hands-off management style and previously declined to intervene in conflicts.

Read at Slate Magazine