Office Moving question?

My office is moving in January. We will be in the same building, but have 2 floors as opossed to one. I share an (small) office with a woman in my department. I was told this new space is much bigger, so I would probably have my own cube or office even. But now my boss informed me that we are still going to share an office, only this time she will have the windows and I will have the door.

I have informed my boss how I feel about sharing an office withthis woman and how i would prefer not to, even if that meant being in a cubicle nearby. She is loud, rude and very intrusive. Sometimes I cant concentrate on my work. That being said, I do respect her as she is older and has been with the company for over 16 years. She is a loyal and hard working employee, just too annoying!

I know talking to my boss is useless as he answers directly to the CEO and president. I also work with the president occasionally.
I want to ask the pres since he has more pull...

How do I not make it seem as if I am complaining, while still asking for what I want in a professional manner? I have been here for 8 years.

Yes this is difficult. Managing changes to the work space is always a very difficult job and one that many will avoid. If the lady is noisy then you can use some clever tactics as long as you do it carefully. Tell her once a week that you are about to make a tricky call to a customer and that you would be very grateful if she could be quiet for a few minutes as the customer is tricky and you will need to really concentrate. Ask you boss for a privacy screen around your desk. Ask the person fitting the furniture to add a screen and it might just appear. Another tactic is to find a screen during the move and get a friend to help you move it to your desk. Its amazing what you can get away with. I can remember a friend of mine going into the office over the weekend and move things, nobody noticed on Monday. Wait till she goes on leave and rearrange things as you like. etcetc


Stick at it 8 years says a lot about you !!
Roy