Q & A Table of Contents
The Music Interferes With My Work
From: Sue, Olathe, Kansas
Question: My company recently changed the music we listen to at work. This is a welcome change & I realize whatever is chosen will not satisfy everyone. I and others are having trouble concentrating with the new choice of music. Our jobs require mental concentration & the music is disrupting this. The choice of music is classic rock and roll including artists such as Led Zepplin, ZZ Top, Jethro Tull, Alice Cooper etc. Some of it is fine(even though I'm not into "retro") but other songs have screaming & blaring guitars with high pitched sounds. I am right by a speaker & supposedly controls are limited plus some of my co-workers like this music and it doesn't bother them. Any suggestions? I am trying to tune it out the best I can but some songs are almost impossible!
Response: Your company needs to know if working conditions are, in any way, having a negative impact on your productivity. It is in the company's interest to make the workplace 'worker-friendly' so more can be accomplished.
You should find out how many of your colleagues would like to have an alternative to the music currently provided. Perhaps one of the simplest approaches would be to separate one 'music group' from another, just the way some companies have separate facilities for smokers and non-smokers. Another choice could be one you can take by yourself: buy a portable radio, cd, or cassette player with headphones and listen to music of your choice. You could also buy noise-reducing headphones like those worn by many construction and airport workers, and wear those at work. There are even headphones offered by some airlines to first-class passengers that both reduce outside noise and can be connected to one's personal sound system.
If the company has invested in the existing sound system, if you can demonstrate how the new choice of music reduces your productivity, perhaps the company can see the financial benefit of offering alternative background music choices (or non-choices) for employees.
Good luck,
Steve
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