Music at Work
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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?
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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 :)
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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
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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.
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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 -
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:
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.
Yes. I sometimes get my best work don't when listening to certain music.
Miszou wrote:
Any thoughts?
Many. So, what do you listen to? I'm currently listening to Mike Oldfield - Absolutely brilliant guy, very talanted.
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