Music at Work
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How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work? I share an office with 2 other people, so I like to wear headphones while I work. I find the music acts as a sort of catalyst that really helps me focus and be productive. Without the music, I tend to get distracted by anything and everything and I find it really difficult to stay focused. However, I've been told to stop wearing headphones as I don't look "welcoming" to people entering the office with questions. To clarify, my position is actually something of an "application support" person, with programming to fill in the gaps. Lately however, more than 90% of my time has been devoted to programming. So while I can expect to be interrupted at any time, it very rarely happens. Since people can wander in at any time with a problem, I can apparently look "too busy" and people don't feel as though they can disturb me. Since my desk doesn't face the door, I can't always hear when people come in. I offered to purchase a mirror for my monitor (like the one my boss has) so that I could see the door and remove the headphones whenever someone entered. But of course, that isn't the point, is it... Apparently though, it's ok to use speakers to listen to my music - even though this will no doubt irritate my fellow office workers. In fact, I refuse to even entertain the idea of speakers while I share an office with others. Interestingly, the Big Boss (above the person telling me I can't use headphones) is completely on my side, and agrees that programmers should be able to listen to music. However, stepping over my boss' authority to get my way is a political minefield that I feel is best avoided. On the other hand however, I can be so much more productive with music... Any thoughts?
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I can not work at all with out my music. Mainly for two reasons. Like you said it helps keep me focused and acts as a catalyst. I just get so much more done. The second reason is that I do not have a cube and I work on a trading floor so everything is wide open. My office is very noisy and loud so it makes it very hard to concentrate. If anyone needs me they always just tap me on the shoulder, I never have an issue with someone saying I look to busy to be bothered. I don't think I would be nearly as good a worker with out them.
We shouldn't assume something's debugged just because everyone in the whole world has access to the source code.
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How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work? I share an office with 2 other people, so I like to wear headphones while I work. I find the music acts as a sort of catalyst that really helps me focus and be productive. Without the music, I tend to get distracted by anything and everything and I find it really difficult to stay focused. However, I've been told to stop wearing headphones as I don't look "welcoming" to people entering the office with questions. To clarify, my position is actually something of an "application support" person, with programming to fill in the gaps. Lately however, more than 90% of my time has been devoted to programming. So while I can expect to be interrupted at any time, it very rarely happens. Since people can wander in at any time with a problem, I can apparently look "too busy" and people don't feel as though they can disturb me. Since my desk doesn't face the door, I can't always hear when people come in. I offered to purchase a mirror for my monitor (like the one my boss has) so that I could see the door and remove the headphones whenever someone entered. But of course, that isn't the point, is it... Apparently though, it's ok to use speakers to listen to my music - even though this will no doubt irritate my fellow office workers. In fact, I refuse to even entertain the idea of speakers while I share an office with others. Interestingly, the Big Boss (above the person telling me I can't use headphones) is completely on my side, and agrees that programmers should be able to listen to music. However, stepping over my boss' authority to get my way is a political minefield that I feel is best avoided. On the other hand however, I can be so much more productive with music... Any thoughts?
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I listen to music with headphones and my back to the door. I can focus much better with no visual or auditory distractions (I listen to the same music all the time). I sat across from the printer, the unofficial conference area, and so I needed something. One of my bosses said "Everybody" was afraid to interrupt me while I had the headphones on. (He got pissed when I pointed out the many people interrupted me and he must be "Nobody" since he had just interrupted me) I also pointed out casual talkers did avoid dropping by but people who needed me would talk to me. I also pointed out about the printer and noise, but since it didn't bother him, he didn't care. I put up a sign saying "if you need me, please disturb me." He took it down for me and said I was unprofessional. HR and the bosses above him had no problem with me and the headphone so I continued.
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How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work? I share an office with 2 other people, so I like to wear headphones while I work. I find the music acts as a sort of catalyst that really helps me focus and be productive. Without the music, I tend to get distracted by anything and everything and I find it really difficult to stay focused. However, I've been told to stop wearing headphones as I don't look "welcoming" to people entering the office with questions. To clarify, my position is actually something of an "application support" person, with programming to fill in the gaps. Lately however, more than 90% of my time has been devoted to programming. So while I can expect to be interrupted at any time, it very rarely happens. Since people can wander in at any time with a problem, I can apparently look "too busy" and people don't feel as though they can disturb me. Since my desk doesn't face the door, I can't always hear when people come in. I offered to purchase a mirror for my monitor (like the one my boss has) so that I could see the door and remove the headphones whenever someone entered. But of course, that isn't the point, is it... Apparently though, it's ok to use speakers to listen to my music - even though this will no doubt irritate my fellow office workers. In fact, I refuse to even entertain the idea of speakers while I share an office with others. Interestingly, the Big Boss (above the person telling me I can't use headphones) is completely on my side, and agrees that programmers should be able to listen to music. However, stepping over my boss' authority to get my way is a political minefield that I feel is best avoided. On the other hand however, I can be so much more productive with music... Any thoughts?
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Since this is a political issue.. talk to your stablemates and tell them that with the goal in mind of being told to use headphones you are going to use speakers and expect them to complain loudly about your taste in music. That no matter how softly you're playing your ABBA it jars their sensibilities to the point that they simply wish you could put your headphones back on. As far as being told not to listen to any music at all.. start talking to everyone a bit too much and wandering around... the change in behavior can be attributed to your not having your headphones by your cubemates who are in the know. You could also consider singing along or whistling along with your speakers on. good luck. dave
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How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work? I share an office with 2 other people, so I like to wear headphones while I work. I find the music acts as a sort of catalyst that really helps me focus and be productive. Without the music, I tend to get distracted by anything and everything and I find it really difficult to stay focused. However, I've been told to stop wearing headphones as I don't look "welcoming" to people entering the office with questions. To clarify, my position is actually something of an "application support" person, with programming to fill in the gaps. Lately however, more than 90% of my time has been devoted to programming. So while I can expect to be interrupted at any time, it very rarely happens. Since people can wander in at any time with a problem, I can apparently look "too busy" and people don't feel as though they can disturb me. Since my desk doesn't face the door, I can't always hear when people come in. I offered to purchase a mirror for my monitor (like the one my boss has) so that I could see the door and remove the headphones whenever someone entered. But of course, that isn't the point, is it... Apparently though, it's ok to use speakers to listen to my music - even though this will no doubt irritate my fellow office workers. In fact, I refuse to even entertain the idea of speakers while I share an office with others. Interestingly, the Big Boss (above the person telling me I can't use headphones) is completely on my side, and agrees that programmers should be able to listen to music. However, stepping over my boss' authority to get my way is a political minefield that I feel is best avoided. On the other hand however, I can be so much more productive with music... Any thoughts?
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Any chance of rotating your desk so that you face the door? I wear headphones most of the day at work, and I do agree that it makes me appear to be a bit isolationist. This is why I never close my office door and I'm quick to remove headphones as soon as someone steps into my doorway.
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I listen to music with headphones and my back to the door. I can focus much better with no visual or auditory distractions (I listen to the same music all the time). I sat across from the printer, the unofficial conference area, and so I needed something. One of my bosses said "Everybody" was afraid to interrupt me while I had the headphones on. (He got pissed when I pointed out the many people interrupted me and he must be "Nobody" since he had just interrupted me) I also pointed out casual talkers did avoid dropping by but people who needed me would talk to me. I also pointed out about the printer and noise, but since it didn't bother him, he didn't care. I put up a sign saying "if you need me, please disturb me." He took it down for me and said I was unprofessional. HR and the bosses above him had no problem with me and the headphone so I continued.
Joe Q wrote:
HR and the bosses above him had no problem with me and the headphone so I continued.
That is exactly the situation I am in... I admire your courage in standing up to your boss.
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How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work? I share an office with 2 other people, so I like to wear headphones while I work. I find the music acts as a sort of catalyst that really helps me focus and be productive. Without the music, I tend to get distracted by anything and everything and I find it really difficult to stay focused. However, I've been told to stop wearing headphones as I don't look "welcoming" to people entering the office with questions. To clarify, my position is actually something of an "application support" person, with programming to fill in the gaps. Lately however, more than 90% of my time has been devoted to programming. So while I can expect to be interrupted at any time, it very rarely happens. Since people can wander in at any time with a problem, I can apparently look "too busy" and people don't feel as though they can disturb me. Since my desk doesn't face the door, I can't always hear when people come in. I offered to purchase a mirror for my monitor (like the one my boss has) so that I could see the door and remove the headphones whenever someone entered. But of course, that isn't the point, is it... Apparently though, it's ok to use speakers to listen to my music - even though this will no doubt irritate my fellow office workers. In fact, I refuse to even entertain the idea of speakers while I share an office with others. Interestingly, the Big Boss (above the person telling me I can't use headphones) is completely on my side, and agrees that programmers should be able to listen to music. However, stepping over my boss' authority to get my way is a political minefield that I feel is best avoided. On the other hand however, I can be so much more productive with music... Any thoughts?
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Grow long hear, and wear tiny earphones :) Make clear to both bosses that you understand the problem and that you are willing to solve it. But at the same time, insist that the headphones give you the same productivity boost a private office would give. There's enough "official" information that clearly shows
programmer in cubicle ==> abysmal performance. i.o.w. it is worth 'fighting' for your headphones, and you have a solid case, but try to avoid the eprsonal confrontation "who is stronger". -- last modified at 13:42 Tuesday 8th August, 2006
We are a big screwed up dysfunctional psychotic happy family - some more screwed up, others more happy, but everybody's psychotic joint venture definition of CP
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How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work? I share an office with 2 other people, so I like to wear headphones while I work. I find the music acts as a sort of catalyst that really helps me focus and be productive. Without the music, I tend to get distracted by anything and everything and I find it really difficult to stay focused. However, I've been told to stop wearing headphones as I don't look "welcoming" to people entering the office with questions. To clarify, my position is actually something of an "application support" person, with programming to fill in the gaps. Lately however, more than 90% of my time has been devoted to programming. So while I can expect to be interrupted at any time, it very rarely happens. Since people can wander in at any time with a problem, I can apparently look "too busy" and people don't feel as though they can disturb me. Since my desk doesn't face the door, I can't always hear when people come in. I offered to purchase a mirror for my monitor (like the one my boss has) so that I could see the door and remove the headphones whenever someone entered. But of course, that isn't the point, is it... Apparently though, it's ok to use speakers to listen to my music - even though this will no doubt irritate my fellow office workers. In fact, I refuse to even entertain the idea of speakers while I share an office with others. Interestingly, the Big Boss (above the person telling me I can't use headphones) is completely on my side, and agrees that programmers should be able to listen to music. However, stepping over my boss' authority to get my way is a political minefield that I feel is best avoided. On the other hand however, I can be so much more productive with music... Any thoughts?
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Miszou wrote:
How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work?
I am, and I do.
"Money talks. When my money starts to talk, I get a bill to shut it up." - Frank
"Judge not by the eye but by the heart." - Native American Proverb
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Any chance of rotating your desk so that you face the door? I wear headphones most of the day at work, and I do agree that it makes me appear to be a bit isolationist. This is why I never close my office door and I'm quick to remove headphones as soon as someone steps into my doorway.
kryzchek wrote:
Any chance of rotating your desk so that you face the door?
No, but there is a spare desk closer to the door... perhaps I could move over there, where I can see people as they come in. Good Idea!
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Joe Q wrote:
HR and the bosses above him had no problem with me and the headphone so I continued.
That is exactly the situation I am in... I admire your courage in standing up to your boss.
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Miszou wrote:
That is exactly the situation I am in... I admire your courage in standing up to your boss.
I will say that I recently left the project after my boss gave me a poor review. We didn't get along in many area's but nothing big. I wore bluejeans to work and he said the dress code said that was forbidden. I pointed out that if he would read it, the dress code said they were "Guidelines" and not rules. (I asked his boss and HR on that too) When I left the project, he didn't want me to go becasue he knew I was his top performer. But his boss said since he rated me as a poor performer, then he shouldn't need me. Since then, the project has almost been canceled twice and is WAY behind on the schedule. I don't feel sorry for him.
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Miszou wrote:
How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work?
I am, and I do.
"Money talks. When my money starts to talk, I get a bill to shut it up." - Frank
"Judge not by the eye but by the heart." - Native American Proverb
Ok, don't rub it in! ;P Actually, this is the first programming-type job I've ever had that has such a restriction. It's not as though I'm asking to wear shorts and a tank-top to work, or set up a dedicated game server for lunchtime deathmatches, or even go down the pub every Friday for 2 or 3 beers. And these are all things I've been able to do at other companies. :sigh:
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Ok, don't rub it in! ;P Actually, this is the first programming-type job I've ever had that has such a restriction. It's not as though I'm asking to wear shorts and a tank-top to work, or set up a dedicated game server for lunchtime deathmatches, or even go down the pub every Friday for 2 or 3 beers. And these are all things I've been able to do at other companies. :sigh:
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Miszou wrote:
Ok, don't rub it in!
Wouldn't dream of it. I was just answering your "survey." BTW, are your office mates against music?
"Money talks. When my money starts to talk, I get a bill to shut it up." - Frank
"Judge not by the eye but by the heart." - Native American Proverb
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Ok, don't rub it in! ;P Actually, this is the first programming-type job I've ever had that has such a restriction. It's not as though I'm asking to wear shorts and a tank-top to work, or set up a dedicated game server for lunchtime deathmatches, or even go down the pub every Friday for 2 or 3 beers. And these are all things I've been able to do at other companies. :sigh:
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Miszou wrote:
It's not as though I'm asking to wear shorts and a tank-top to work, or set up a dedicated game server for lunchtime deathmatches, or even go down the pub every Friday for 2 or 3 beers. And these are all things I've been able to do at other companies.
Maybe you should ask for that. Then your request to wear headphones will pale in comparison and surely be approved.
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Miszou wrote:
Ok, don't rub it in!
Wouldn't dream of it. I was just answering your "survey." BTW, are your office mates against music?
"Money talks. When my money starts to talk, I get a bill to shut it up." - Frank
"Judge not by the eye but by the heart." - Native American Proverb
DavidCrow wrote:
are your office mates against music?
Curiously, No. In fact my supervisor and I listen to the same sort of music and have been to see Frontline Assembly and Front 242 together. The other office worker says she doesn't care about the music, but I know she does... Also, my supervisor used to listen to music on his speakers, and even though I like the music, I found it very distracting. Sort of like listening to someone elses iPod on the train... So, in order to block out his music, I would use my headphones. Next thing you know, someone walks into the boss's office asking if its ok to disturb me, as I had my headphones on. :doh: So, no more headphones. At which point I said I use the headphones to block out my supervisors music, so he loses that too! This was about 3 months ago, and I've realized in that time that my productivity has plummeted, so I thought I would bring the idea back to the table, but it seems to be no deal. The whole thing is just a political dance and power trip, if you ask me.
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How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work? I share an office with 2 other people, so I like to wear headphones while I work. I find the music acts as a sort of catalyst that really helps me focus and be productive. Without the music, I tend to get distracted by anything and everything and I find it really difficult to stay focused. However, I've been told to stop wearing headphones as I don't look "welcoming" to people entering the office with questions. To clarify, my position is actually something of an "application support" person, with programming to fill in the gaps. Lately however, more than 90% of my time has been devoted to programming. So while I can expect to be interrupted at any time, it very rarely happens. Since people can wander in at any time with a problem, I can apparently look "too busy" and people don't feel as though they can disturb me. Since my desk doesn't face the door, I can't always hear when people come in. I offered to purchase a mirror for my monitor (like the one my boss has) so that I could see the door and remove the headphones whenever someone entered. But of course, that isn't the point, is it... Apparently though, it's ok to use speakers to listen to my music - even though this will no doubt irritate my fellow office workers. In fact, I refuse to even entertain the idea of speakers while I share an office with others. Interestingly, the Big Boss (above the person telling me I can't use headphones) is completely on my side, and agrees that programmers should be able to listen to music. However, stepping over my boss' authority to get my way is a political minefield that I feel is best avoided. On the other hand however, I can be so much more productive with music... Any thoughts?
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Miszou wrote:
How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work?
I am allowed but I don't ... I love music and once that starts my programming mind stops :)
---------------------------------------------------------------- The next time you get bogged down by details, don't scramble for a way to figure out how to get every single one of them down pat. For a good example of this warning, look at a particularly tightly wound coworker or friend: The stress in their life is mostly self-inflicted, and the extra efforts they put out are rarely rewarded. Skip the martyr act and keep things simple. If small problems pop up, they pop up -- and they make life
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Grow long hear, and wear tiny earphones :) Make clear to both bosses that you understand the problem and that you are willing to solve it. But at the same time, insist that the headphones give you the same productivity boost a private office would give. There's enough "official" information that clearly shows
programmer in cubicle ==> abysmal performance. i.o.w. it is worth 'fighting' for your headphones, and you have a solid case, but try to avoid the eprsonal confrontation "who is stronger". -- last modified at 13:42 Tuesday 8th August, 2006
We are a big screwed up dysfunctional psychotic happy family - some more screwed up, others more happy, but everybody's psychotic joint venture definition of CP
Tree in C# || Fold With Us! || sighist -
peterchen wrote:
There's enough "official" information that clearly shows programmer in cubicle ==> abysmal performance.
To each their own. I'm too easily distracted to accomplish anything in an open office setup.
abysmal = bad, and cubicle = open office steup, right? :confused:
We are a big screwed up dysfunctional psychotic happy family - some more screwed up, others more happy, but everybody's psychotic joint venture definition of CP
Tree in C# || Fold With Us! || sighist -
How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work? I share an office with 2 other people, so I like to wear headphones while I work. I find the music acts as a sort of catalyst that really helps me focus and be productive. Without the music, I tend to get distracted by anything and everything and I find it really difficult to stay focused. However, I've been told to stop wearing headphones as I don't look "welcoming" to people entering the office with questions. To clarify, my position is actually something of an "application support" person, with programming to fill in the gaps. Lately however, more than 90% of my time has been devoted to programming. So while I can expect to be interrupted at any time, it very rarely happens. Since people can wander in at any time with a problem, I can apparently look "too busy" and people don't feel as though they can disturb me. Since my desk doesn't face the door, I can't always hear when people come in. I offered to purchase a mirror for my monitor (like the one my boss has) so that I could see the door and remove the headphones whenever someone entered. But of course, that isn't the point, is it... Apparently though, it's ok to use speakers to listen to my music - even though this will no doubt irritate my fellow office workers. In fact, I refuse to even entertain the idea of speakers while I share an office with others. Interestingly, the Big Boss (above the person telling me I can't use headphones) is completely on my side, and agrees that programmers should be able to listen to music. However, stepping over my boss' authority to get my way is a political minefield that I feel is best avoided. On the other hand however, I can be so much more productive with music... Any thoughts?
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Not letting a programmer listen to music is like not allowing dual monitors. I wouldn't work for a company that doesn't allow either. They are essential.
A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the Universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." -- Stephen Crane
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abysmal = bad, and cubicle = open office steup, right? :confused:
We are a big screwed up dysfunctional psychotic happy family - some more screwed up, others more happy, but everybody's psychotic joint venture definition of CP
Tree in C# || Fold With Us! || sighist -
How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work? I share an office with 2 other people, so I like to wear headphones while I work. I find the music acts as a sort of catalyst that really helps me focus and be productive. Without the music, I tend to get distracted by anything and everything and I find it really difficult to stay focused. However, I've been told to stop wearing headphones as I don't look "welcoming" to people entering the office with questions. To clarify, my position is actually something of an "application support" person, with programming to fill in the gaps. Lately however, more than 90% of my time has been devoted to programming. So while I can expect to be interrupted at any time, it very rarely happens. Since people can wander in at any time with a problem, I can apparently look "too busy" and people don't feel as though they can disturb me. Since my desk doesn't face the door, I can't always hear when people come in. I offered to purchase a mirror for my monitor (like the one my boss has) so that I could see the door and remove the headphones whenever someone entered. But of course, that isn't the point, is it... Apparently though, it's ok to use speakers to listen to my music - even though this will no doubt irritate my fellow office workers. In fact, I refuse to even entertain the idea of speakers while I share an office with others. Interestingly, the Big Boss (above the person telling me I can't use headphones) is completely on my side, and agrees that programmers should be able to listen to music. However, stepping over my boss' authority to get my way is a political minefield that I feel is best avoided. On the other hand however, I can be so much more productive with music... Any thoughts?
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Miszou wrote:
How many of you are allowed to listen to music at work?
I work from home, but I have always ben allowed to have music at work. I just don't need headphones anymore.
Miszou wrote:
On the other hand however, I can be so much more productive with music...
The only reason I've found music helps me be productive is that it acts as a barrier ( just as your boss claims ), which stopped people from talking to me. I don't see how or why music could help you concentrate. I don't find it distracts me, I usually don't hear most of it, most of the things I listen to, I've been hearing for 20 years now, so it kind of washes over me, I know what's coming next.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog
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I'm not following you. I work well in a cubicle with few distractions, stick me in an open office with dozens of people coming, going, and doing stuff in my line of sight and I won't have done anything at the end of the day.
Cubicles[^] With respect to distractions, it's for me the same as "Open Office Space" so put me there, and my performance will be bad (at least that's what I tried to say)
We are a big screwed up dysfunctional psychotic happy family - some more screwed up, others more happy, but everybody's psychotic joint venture definition of CP
Tree in C# || Fold With Us! || sighist
