ZDV controller voiced concern regarding a controller/supervisor conversation that escalated into a s...

Narrative:

While working sector 14; I was involved in a conversation regarding miles in trail requirements with the on duty flm; which quickly escalated into a performance based discussion. As both of us attempted to explain our difference of opinion to one another; the conversation eventually became a distraction to me as well as other controllers working in the area. While the distraction did not lead to the loss of separation or aircraft incident; the flm's disregard of safety; significantly impacted my ability to communicate with aircraft in a timely manner. It is my opinion that this conversation/debate over procedures should have been conducted outside the control room area; not while I was working the sector. Abide by guidelines set forth in local/national orders addressing the importance of reducing distraction in the workplace.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZDV Controller voiced concern regarding a controller/supervisor conversation that escalated into a significant distraction impacting communications with aircraft at the sector.

Narrative: While working Sector 14; I was involved in a conversation regarding miles in trail requirements with the on duty FLM; which quickly escalated into a performance based discussion. As both of us attempted to explain our difference of opinion to one another; the conversation eventually became a distraction to me as well as other controllers working in the area. While the distraction did not lead to the loss of separation or aircraft incident; the FLM's disregard of safety; significantly impacted my ability to communicate with aircraft in a timely manner. It is my opinion that this conversation/debate over procedures should have been conducted outside the control room area; not while I was working the sector. Abide by guidelines set forth in local/national orders addressing the importance of reducing distraction in the workplace.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1112149
Time
Date	201309
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZDV.ARTCC
State Reference	CO
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	No Aircraft
Route In Use	None
Person 1
Function	Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

ZDV controller voiced concern regarding a controller/supervisor conversation that escalated into a significant distraction impacting communications with aircraft at the sector.