Im going to push back on your statement because he probably DIDNT wear them in defiance. The reasons for introducing the ban are: * Wearing headphones make employees seem unapproachable. This policy is ridiculous. All rights reserved. In addition to using headphones to sometimes just help me concentrate on other work, sometimes I use them do to actual work related things like participate in skype calls and watch work-related videos (mandatory training, etc.). The Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act will be proposed . That's my bit. 9rM5SM>&o JENNIFER!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I dont wear headphones all the time, but when i do its usually because im absolutely saturated with being interrupted for stupid stuff and really need to calm down and focus. 8:00 am - 7:00 pm, ET Monday to Friday, Over 2,050,000+ Working remotely, Jordan spends half of the year exploring different corners of the world. Youngstown State University has a duty of care for the health and safety of staff, students, contractors and visitors. Based on the note (and I might be wrong) it seems, manager had a conversation with employee. Putting on over the ear (OTE) headphones appears as though the wearer is deliberately shutting out the rest of the world, and was a common way to message eff off and leave me alone. So they can appear to some people as a minor but in your face gesture. Manager isnt a synonym for absolute monarch. 8.7. Ear Bud Policy. At least headphones or earbuds can provide background noise to drown it all out or at least give the brain something else to focus on, like music, and I see no reason unless you are an in person customer facing employee (like at the DMV) that you shouldnt be able to use this method to cope. But is it a good idea? Work doesnt have to be a nest of distractions either. Like no one is saying you CANT put a table together with a manual screwdriver but a powered one is better. Its reeks of petty power trip honestly. My ears are just dumb. IF there seems to be some discrimination or some unfair treatment, then bring in HR, but until that conversation has been had, she has no idea what is up. For workers who currently use radios or speakers that might . So, youre saying you would retaliate against an employee who reported a problem to HR? In 2017, a man in Michigan was walking on the train tracks while listening to music through headphones. The Etymotic ones, for example. Should I let a company know that Im declining their offer because of how long they took to get it to me. Ive had front desk jobs and, even with ADHD, I can do them without noise-blockers because its my job to seek and welcome interruption. The humanity! Personally, Id loathe having to request permission to speak every time, but only if they are in turn otherwise able to shout at and interrupt me (because I just do not ever wear headphones). Alisons answer touched on it vis-a-vis what the expectations of the position are but if the expectation really is drop everything whenever somebody comes to the desk that may point to a deeper process dysfunction. Your first sentence nails it. Its reasonable that someone who would struggle to be productive in a noisy environment refer to headphones as a need, even if it isnt due to a disability or completely impossible. Suffer in silence. Is the employee trying to meet a fast approaching deadline? If youre unsure how loud is too loud, ask the people around you if they can hear what youre listening to. Its external earphones or nothing. I think this falls in the category of you may find it unnerving, but the employee is not actually doing anything wrong. Waiting a few seconds for someone to take off their headphones is not a big deal. Ten minutes? Managers should be held to the same expectations as the rest of the team. The lyrics provide an unstimulated mind with a slight escape. I think OP1 just feels like time is dragging, rather than the employees actually taking ages to remove and respond. Even if they are perfectly normally shaped, if you have TMJ the ear buds will hurt. And then running to HR? So the obvious way to get my attention is to stand in the walkway, in my line of sight. Regardless, the main point of putting anything in or over my ears is to block out the noise of my coworkers (foot tapping, pen tapping, pen clicking, paper shuffling, conversations between coworkers, phone conversationssomeone is beatboxing right now, Im not even joking) so I can actually concentrate on my work. Specific types of clothing arent essential. Thats why they have rules for which companies are required to accommodate the leave, you have more than 50 employees so you should be able to figure out coverage issues. Earbuds can also raise ear wax accumulation, cause ear infections, gather dirt and bacteria, give birth to germs and make your eardrums burst even if theyd feel completely comfortable. I think the LW had waited 2 weeks for a formal job offer, after having been informally offered the job. In fact, I put an incredible amount of conscious work into cultivating my team members ability to exercise good judgment and make good decisions, and as a result theyve achieved some fantastic results so far this year that would have never happened if Id been the one dictating all the things. Employees deserve better than being punished for reporting problematic situations to HR. L.W. There are robust methods of self-diagnosis, for instance I self-diagnosed in 2012 and obtained a formal diagnosis in 2018. She is the boss. Given the awkwardness and wait time, Im picturing the employees in their own office, facing the wall opposite the door. My rule is 1 earbud is ok. Its what I do. Understanding your reasoning behind a new policy helps you communicate its purpose and answer any questions about it. Follow our. Wearing personal headphones in the workplace also presents a hazard for the operation of moving equipment such as golf carts; security vehicle's; bikes; buses; etc. Also: I understand the disinclination to lie but, frankly, you should not have to explain why you need medical time and I would have zeroZEROproblem fibbing about this. This is the workplace/HR equivalent of a frivolous lawsuit. I cant. Speak to your manager about moving desks if you feel it will . To me, its like listening to the TV and the radio at the same time and makes it more difficult to concentrate. But leave her personal life alone. That makes sense and is a good compromise. Useful, yes. ), this definitely seems less like Oh, I dont have earbuds, Ill just use my headphones today then bring earbuds tomorrow and more f*** you, I like my headphones, Im going to keep using them anyway.. Employees must leave phones in a desk drawer, coat/bag, or a company locker. I am new here. actually there are noise cancelling earbuds. Horrid. With some engineering and technical jobs no. He may have challenges that you cant see. (And believe me, you do NOT want to try to have a conversation with me sans hearing aids, unless you have a very loud, clear voice or are a big fan of having to repeat everything 2 or 3 times. There was no policy, therefor I didnt ask for accommodation for my [fill in teh blank.] I also am befuddled by the earphones vs. earbuds difference. When people wear earphones, nobody even realizes it, so (some) coworkers tend to call out someones name Jennifer? then progressively louder and louder until its at a screaming level JENNIFER? It is entirely possible to be productive in an office with noise around you . Earbuds, especially wireless ones, can be difficult to see. Music in the Workplace: Tune In or Tune Out? - Paychex It recognizes that many staff and students use audio equipment (audio-visual & multi-media production etc) and other devices (MP3 players, iPods, etc) with headphones/earphones/earbuds and that this may be . U/G. Aoshida Shanling. When someone is wearing headphones at my work, I gently wave at the side of them to get their attention without touching them or scaring them. But I see nowhere on this letter where the OP is like, "we can hear their music!" Not so much. day., without fail, someone else is the throat clearer, someone else eats potato chips and youd swear there was a microphone near their mouth, someone else talks to loudly on the phone, ALL AT THE SAME TIMEand its nearly impossible to concentrate. If you have evidence that they cant hear people, you could impose a one-ear-0nly rule. I would be pretty annoyed at this. My org has a team of 3 dedicated end-user support reps. Thats the signal Im generally trying to send. In my case, because I have also always had back issues, I said I was doing PT for my back. Yeah dont get me wrong, thats how we use them in our open office: they literally mean, Im really trying to pretend were not in an open office, please dont interrupt me / pretend Im not here / just go away k thanx. For that reason, we prefer to use big bulky visible ones. Popular safety products. It could definitely be worth the money if it helps you. The change will have exactly zero effect on performance, since employees would still be wearing (smaller, less visible) headphones, and still have to stop to take them off. Nor will you be allowed to use/bring your own monitor & keyboard if you bought one as I did when I started. I dont think that at all. Say my name. Be aware that laws may change over time. If OP had just said I feel like the headphones are a signal not to interrupt they could have been reassured as to the contrary or opened up a win-win dialogue. As for seeing her with her ex, you have no idea what they were talking about. I saw my coworker with the spouse who assaulted her, My manager is asking me for twice-a-day reporting on how Im spending my time, I dont want to tell my manager what Im getting physical therapy for. With rules, you put a start date into place. Oh yes. Just saying, legit reasons to go to HR exist MommyMD, Legit reasons to go to HR do exist, yes, but the employee didnt just go to HR, he argued that theres no company policy about it (the implication being, I dont have to do what my manager says unless the handbook also says it, which is borderline insubordinate), and THEN went to HR. Yeah, this is getting really close to the employees who serve me should never appear to have other priorities besides me area that you see in a lot of customer service jobs. I would not have thought oh hey my manager wants me to switch over to earbuds that must take effect right this second and not tomorrow after Ive had a chance to buy a pair of earbuds.. Frankly many of the at-home exercises are the same as what I used to do for my lower back. This whole open office thing is getting to me. OPs suggesting other people are probably just as unnerved by this as they are but are they actually, or is OP just projecting? I cant wear them because I have eczema in one ear. Im an earbud wearer, and often have people come up to talk to me. Using audio headphones, earphones or earbuds in the workplace When I get new phones and they come with earbuds, I give them to my kids. Most people will either say no its no problem to get my attention, thats what Im here for then you take it and go about your business. I think the letter writer is hoping for exactly the opposite of this. I just emailed/faxed companies requesting and receiving records sitting in a high cubicle. The point Im trying to make is that unless theres an accommodation, an employee doesnt need to use headphones to do their job. No, its really not. For what its worth, if I have to approach someone, I would rather they have headphones than earbuds, because at least I can see that theyre not going to be able to hear me. Just because someone is in it support or customer service, it doesnt mean always immediately immediately available, no exceptions. Which would you rather have someone not wearing headphones and not working as hard due to distractions or anxiety or would you rather get the job done? Quite a few people have, actually. The Letter Writer says this: I feel strange saying something like its a private medical issue that Id rather not talk about, because I feel like that makes it quite obvious what the problem is. It seems that she is hoping that her male bosses do *not* quickly jump to this conclusion and that she can both avoid getting into the details, while also not revealing to her manager what she is getting PT for. I admit Im taking umbrage at on fleek. Ive worked in positions that do not lend well to headphones. Ive found street style headphones to be more comfortable when it comes to glasses. (Which again, we have no information about). If they came up and said oh hey, I meant for that rule to take effect this minute, please dont use your headphones. I would use one of those lines you suggested. And if you lose interest, it's always easy to unsubscribe with a single click. I prefer earbuds too, headphones crush my glasses against my skull and cause me pain. I don't want my employees to wear headphones - Ask a Manager I can tell you that many, many people find earbuds incredibly uncomfortable and even painful, as I oversee the PPE we use. OMG I dont know how you do it. Isnt it easier to answer incoming phone calls if you are already wearing headphones/earbuds? This letter touched a nerve for me because I am having a similar battle with one of my managers. If you fail to do that when you boss clarifies that the no headphone rule is meant to be immediate, then that failure is on you, rather than discrimination by your boss.
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