I recently started working at a new job and the office culture is certainly not what I am used to, but I am trying to make the best of it.
Everyone here more or less keeps to themselves and really only steps outside of their office to ask a question to someone else.
The office is so quiet that you could literally hear a pin drop or the sound of my office neighbour who hits the keyboard like it’s a piano. Anyway, the other day I went in and asked my boss if it would be alright to wear headphones while I wrote/did my work. He said no and his rational was this is would be just as bad as texting or talking on the phone. I really don’t agree with his rational and I could understand if the office had a culture where everyone was interdependent on everyone else, but here it feels more like “every man for himself.” Am I crazy to just want to listen to some tunes to tune everything else out? —I Even Asked Permission Like a Polite SOB
This article appears in Aug 2-8, 2012.
Good for you for asking permission. You received an answer. Issue over.
but did you put cover sheets on all your TPS reports?
Yep. It’s an unreasonable request. Think about it….If your boss allowed you to wear headphones, he would have to grant everyone else the same courtesy. It comes down to professionalism, and the office isn’t the appropriate place for headphones.
I’ve worked in a few large offices. I would always put in just one of my ear buds at low volume, keeping my other ear open in case someone called or needed my attention. If someone did come into my office, I’d just take out the headphone. I don’t see why this is unprofessional. Music helps me concentrate on my work, increasing my productivity and bettering my mood. I’ve personally never encountered someone who had a problem with this behavior
Let me guess.. you’re generation Y.
You asked, they said no, end of conversation. No, you’re not crazy, just another spoiled Y gen-er.
Everyone keeps to themselves and does their own thing? Sounds like my dream job.
I, too, work in such an environment. Thank fuck I can hum Slim Whitman tunes in my head.
Its irrational that do you do not use the correct word, rationale instead of rational, and that’s twice.
I don’t understand where the bitch is in this bitch? You are being held to the same standard as everyone else in the office? So this is something to bitch about? Fuck off twatbag!
IDIOTS WHO WEAR HEAD/EARPHONES, TEND TO START SINGING, AND SOUND LOUSY.
OP, get yourself a headset for your workphone, but hot wire it into your mp3 player with a SPDT switch. switch ON=music,switch off=phone.
I got miffed by the OP’s choice of name. ‘I even asked permission’. say what? This is something for which you get a medal? Put your nose to the grindstone for 20 years or invent something snazzy, become an employER and then do whatever you want. geeze. you got pretty ribbons for ‘participating’ didn’t you?
This one’s for Tommy:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2061/229137…
I work in an office and my boss lets us wear headphones. Come work with us! Oh wait, we have zero turnover rate so we’re not hiring, go figure.
I think if I could no longer wear my head phone (singular) @ work, the quality of my work, and my attitude would definitely suffer. There are only two emotions in my work place: fake happy, and miserable. The music really helps.
(And, I’m far from an idiot, blow ME)