no headphones at work policy sample

Presumably, the employee doesnt also have earbuds at his desk. One is that youre frustrated because your employee seems to be spending time with the person youve arranged to make it easier for her not to spend time with. Its not about adult vs. not adult. etc. I think if the company knew they couldnt get back to them in a couple of days, which is the expected timeline for most people I think, then they could have let them know that there was a delay. Something besides earbuds was going on between this employee and boss. I hope that people who do this know that many of the rest of us have to listen to the psss-psss-tsst-pss-ts of their dangling earbud and its super annoying. OMG I dont know how you do it. Does the company has a support ticketing system, IM, phones, anything other than physically walking in on a support person when you have an issue? I dont think its helpful to make up our minds that there must be one particular thing going on when we just dont know enough. (Note: I had trouble believing anyone would be bothered to do that, but according to people who know them better, this is actually is A Thing They Do). but please dont. I agree that you cant stop people from speculating, but if youre breezy about it and maybe add a topic change to something work-related, they wont have enough details, and will assume its something uninteresting and not worth their speculation. Zeroing in on construction sites makes sense due to the nature of the work and all of the moving equipment, but its not the only situation where earbuds can pose a problem. That is why it is not arbitrary. It doesn't work that way. Earbuds can block out just as much ambient noise as headphones. If there is an actual performance issue, this is not how to solve it. I find it amusing that its viewed as a power play by the employee but not a power play by a manager who randomly decided to remove headphones from their department, without even a days notice. Talk about making employees so miserable they want to leave. Something, almost anything. Either you need to be 100% instantly available (no earbuds or headphones) or you dont. 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. Settle down. As the name implies, an open ears policy requires employees to keep their ears open while they work, whether its in all situations at work or just in specific high-risk areas. Or, you might opt for a more flexible policy. (To be fair, headphones will happily take out hair.). Not permitting me to listen to music at a low enough volume that I can have both pods in and still carry on conversation would be a petty dick move. 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? Again, the manager really should have addressed the why before asking you to do it, but since they didnt you really need to ask them. It could definitely be worth the money if it helps you. If I was the manager and my employee did this I would take that into consideration going forward when it came to things like raises and promotions. Different strokes for different folks to be sure. Yes, this. I think I would be pretty solidly unhappy if I didnt have my headphones to make people pause and think about how important their question really is!! My org recently rolled out sweeping changes to our expense reimbursement and vendor payment policy. 9rM5SM>&o Its up to you. Rude? People have all kinds of jobs. Its the WORST. You can wait that moment or two for them to take their headphones off. 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.. Continue to the end of the post for our downloadable headphone policy checklist and a list of the best headphones for noisy offices. I can really understand the letterwriters pain on that one, actually. Im not doing surgery, Im looking to help. This is not a hill to die on. Twenty minutes later There are, I hasten to say, plenty of jobs in which drop everything is indeed the expectation, and for good reason. Thats unreasonable and bordering on tyrant levels. Its also important that we be seen as accessible to the teams we serve, and Im concerned that having big headphones on your ears is compromising that. Jordan's passion for travel led her to design a career as a remote content marketer. Set the rule either they can wear neither, or either, but choosing which style someone else should use is ridiculous. They might not have any! And if you lose interest, it's always easy to unsubscribe with a single click. Ear buds versus headphones really? Yeah, I think for this LW its the look of it, but I think its a distinction without a difference. Last summer I had an intern who wore giant (think dj at a turntable) headphones all the time after specifically being told not to. I dont. Did you give them earbuds to wear immediately? Theyre adults for goodness sake, treat them that way. The no headphones at work policy sample is a writable document that has to be filled-out and signed for specific purposes. A written electronic device policy for employees protects you, the worker, as well as your employer and eliminates any confusion about what is acceptable in the work place. Then its a boss thats making new rules willy nilly without solid reason behind it, other than Dont like, makes me uncomfortable, gonna change it immediately!. Your immediate jump to wanting to instigate punitive actions against her is frankly disgusting and shows a marked ignorance of the cycles of abuse and what it takes to get safe. -Neurological conditions such as autism and ADHD were developed based on boys, and that stereotype persists, even in the medical community. If you dont trust them that much, maybe look in the mirror and ask yourself why not. Just because someone is in it support or customer service, it doesnt mean always immediately immediately available, no exceptions. its also not easy or not possible for underlings to make their office around them quieter. Dont be that manager. Both these things offended a lot of older people in the office (including my boss) who perceived both these types of headphones as making the person not approachable. Would I run to HR? If theyre used to using headphones, and you walk in one day and say theyre no longer allowed to with no warning and minimal explanation, you really have to expect blowback and be prepared to defend a significant rule change that will significantly affect the day-to-day work of your staff. if Im the smartest, most knowledgeable person in the room who has all the answers to everything, Ive done a terrible job of hiring my team. Ten minutes? Its just basically never a good idea to assume that someone owes you their immediate attention. According to Anne Kreamer, former executive vice president for . Apparently there was a lot of misunderstanding in how the PM perceived my work performance. Its work, not a prison. This seems like a normal/fast timeline. The next time you complain that your HR team is taking too long with an important problem remember that it could be because of incompetence or it could be because part of their time is spent dealing with someone is mad because they were told to use earbuds not headphones by someone that cant wait 10 seconds for acknowledgment. Well, were digging in the weeds. And I dont think either of them are handling it very well. I was scrolling to see if anyone brought up the hearing aid issue. Also add me to the list of people who find earbuds painful. ?QP-KrPP8[0_s!-Jn3XJzRUw>"^Zb,m2[zU"*XE^d(\(/E^D~XE)2,W-VGc_h[UA&,Hdi[RdV6\ If this is the hill you want to die on, you have to ban headphones across the board. Keeping them engaged is crucial. This is not someone I trust to be reasonable. And then running to HR? I%m83M~UrIosU9$N3M~*4)&q But I realize some managers are nosier than mine. Headphones are Not Hearing Protection - Jobs that require hearing protection such as noise-canceling headphones should not allow workers to substitute music headphones or use earbuds inside of the hearing protection. I got them a few years ago at Costco they were $90 but well worth it. The most anyone has *ever* said was Oh, are you on the phone? because AirPod use is endemic at my company, or on the rare occasion I dont realize someone is watching ask amusedly if its a really really good song. I just think earphones and headphones both pose this Oh I have to get their attention thing.). Nowaday most headphones/earbuds come with microphones built in so its super easy to answer phone calls. >Ws'Gy8cT{p>:0K=*R=,RXbL\L76,~8X8IdWcqvqO%owFZ6POT>6 alw|KsC7W[oUJ x)#/IAS>n9$0s1!sHC"r!q9 8DD!"b!! So, can a manager make department rules? 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. Im an earbud wearer, and often have people come up to talk to me. So, Im not surprised that the manager was then surprised by an employee who made a passive aggressive challenge to the rule without attempting a professional conversation. Or who knows. Im not saying I agree with this, but I think they see taking out earbuds as a lot easier and less showy. No one should be able to hear your music through your headphones. They arent there to instantly respond to your every whim at the specific moment of your choosing, theyre there to work. Earbuds are incredibly uncomfortable for me because I have an ear canal deformity which makes it almost impossible to find comfortable earbuds. I dont think that at all. So, i could be working -listening to a call in issue which you may not know. No, its really not. OP doesnt mention that shes heard any complaints, so its a power play over nothing, essentially. Totally, digestive issues are a good example. Its asking for clarification and mediation. You can address the work issue of her oversharing as you would any performance issue. I worked somewhere that didnt allow earbuds at all, not even just one in the ear. * The customer facing departments are not permitted to wear headphones, mainly due to a high amount of sales calls. Employers will be liable for a violation of the general duty clause if headphones-wearing employees are exposed to the hazards outlined in the letter. Youve said youre not talking about disabilities that would require accommodation but theres a whole range between not disabled at all and completely disabled. Does he plan to buy earbuds and need a day? Isnt it easier to answer incoming phone calls if you are already wearing headphones/earbuds? Free shipping on orders over $9.99 within the continental US, New customer? How does someone in the office talk to you about an issue that they need assistance with, if they cannot approach you on a phone call? Yes exactly. He may have challenges that you cant see. All I know is, anytime Ive seen someone put on that aggressive of a reporting schedule its because they arent meeting goals and accomplishing projects. Then you suck it up for a few hours. Should I let a company know that Im declining their offer because of how long they took to get it to me. They dont generally do in-person support. Not a single adult in the world. Probably bad past experiences where put in a ticket meant Ill ignore your problem for a week or close the ticket telling you its fixed because I couldnt duplicate the problem, while you are still having it :p Good IT shouldnt suffer for that, but it takes some time to learn to trust that your ticket will actually be handled without you talking to them in person. or maybe employee assumed that the manager was a logically functioning adult who when they DID NOT BAN LISTENING TO HEADSETS ALTOGETHER, made the reasonable assumption that this new rule would take into account that people would perhaps need a transition period of one freaking day and not 10 minutes. But if were in the same common space, ugggggh I do not want to be the only one having to ask for someone elses time while they can just blurt out whatever/whenever at my naked ears. I think the letter writer is hoping for exactly the opposite of this. And yes, I am at Work and were all Adults At Work, and something Adults At Work get to decide is if their earbuds/headphones are crippling enough to not use them At Work. I think going to he was to cover themselves. is it time to put my employee on a formal improvement plan? I have plenty of DV clients and they still need to talk to their ex about the kids. I alluded to this upthread, but I really think LW1 is focused on the wrong thing here. Id love noise-canceling headphones so I dont have to destroy my hearing but I cant tolerate the headaches headphones cause. Im going to push back on your statement because he probably DIDNT wear them in defiance. Please elaborate on how them using earbuds instead of headphones solves this issue. how can you get around automated screening questions when youre actually qualified for the job? Bill to combat youth fentanyl crisis to be introduced after multiple teens overdose in a Texas school district. Once youve done that, the next step is communicating effectively to your staff about your new policies and marking those areas with signs. I think OP1 just feels like time is dragging, rather than the employees actually taking ages to remove and respond. 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 . Workers who are listening to their earbuds cant hear whats going on around them. Solike, I get what people are saying about the earbuds vs headphones being a capricious point, but I cannot get behind people acting like headphones are -necessary- to produce work. An employee who is asked not to wear head phones and then in defiance promptly does has issues other than headphones. Some people find that listening to music can help to minimize outside distractions such as other employee conversations, which helps them stay productive. As a boss, I would worry that my employee either didnt understand what I told them or didnt care. Oooooh I know I shouldnt pick up on spelling, but the idea of hiring a Dead employee would unnerve me too! I find this unnerving when I approach either of them and have to wait. 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. _S5 p%=`Y%pxXSh support. theres a brief waiting period for the employee to remove the headphones and acknowledge the person. I can also put together my office furniture by hand and dont need a screw driver in all instances but man, they make things so much easier and more efficient. Earbuds hurt my ears. my lying coworker claimed someone said I couldnt eat at my desk, telling recruiters I wont move to states that discriminate, AirTag etiquette, and more. Theyll be thinking, what new rules will you suddenly impose next week? I would be pretty annoyed at this. What are we missing? New safety measures implemented later . 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. And people are very willing to stop by my desk whenever they feel like thinking that they get to skip the normal process and get moved to the top of my to-do list. No blue clothes? Its absolutely the most counterproductive thing, and is non-negotiable in any way to our supervisor who will get visibly upset if you bring it up. For one leading workplace commentator, the number one issue with allowing employees to wear headphones while they work is that they miss out on the incidental conversations buzzing around the office - and in turn, become disengaged from the company's cultural atmosphere. My coworker can ignore it even when theres four or five of them clustered around the area, just banging on at each other. As you mentioned, if youre concerned about interrupting, thats a discussion to have. We have many answers expressing the same opinion, but this one puts it best. Kind of baffled by this one and Alisons response. Im in a small department with a couple offices and a few cubes all open doors unless someone is on a phone call, and this has created a speaking across offices environment. With regards to #4, I have been in the position of knowing people who have gotten Dr. notes and they are extremely, purposefully vague, along the lines of: So and so had an appointment at my office, on Date/Time, she/he is cleared for return to work So no need to worry about your Dr. outing you. Im a little taken aback that people seem to think that headphones are natural part of the office when in fact they are a perk. [ticket or email or ping me on IM etc]. And adjust. But is it a good idea? LW#2: Dont go there. I agree with Fae, I read it is as they didnt have earbuds, so they would make the switch when they got some. Id be incredibly annoyed if my boss demanded that I stop wearing headphones because he didnt like them. It could definitely be a case of the employee needing time to concentrate on something specific, or time to go out and purchase earbuds We just dont know what the managers rationale for attempting to insist on earbuds is and I think most people would be annoyed to be confronted with a standard that smacks of being micromanaged. I think it simply looks bad for I.T. Just something I need to take care of seems exactly right to me. She is the boss. I can concentrate without them, sure, but its not near as easy. Earbuds, especially wireless ones, can be difficult to see. Me too, especially if the earbud cord matches their hair! IT also tends to attract folks with the ADHD and other issues which tend to have the "reduced distraction" family of accommodations. Just like how we dont suddenly just spring laws into immediate action either, so why try to do it in an office? Differential treatment may be discrimination, or it may not, depending on the reason for it. Most earbuds are way too big for my ears. My hubby works in the ticket support side of IT (raising a ticket by sending an email, rather than a separate system), and he needs to be interruptable by phone and in person as well as email since the majority of tickets actually involve people being unable to use the ticketing system or phone due to network/telephony issues. If this is just an optics issue, please rethink. For more informative articles about work culture and office supplies,subscribe to our email newsletter! Its hard to explain but its an extremely common pattern and a very very painful place for a person to be in their life. Theres a lot of medical issues that a person might not want to discuss openly. If I tell him I cant he will ask why, and I will need to justify to him my physical and sensory limitations. Otherwise I agree with Alison. Seconded theres probably more going on here than we are being made aware of. No one should have to wear earbuds if they cause you pain. I think you would be hard pressed to find a manager who doesnt feel that way. you know what, a good chunk of this might be frustration at the awful new uniforms my store is making us switch to but in response to the headphones thing.. suck it up. If two weeks invited such ire that it makes one decline a job offer for that alone, thats a bit of spoiled entitlement. i recently put a mirror up because my back is to the entrance of my desk and i use noise cancelling headphones. Yeah, kind of surprised the headphone thing is getting more attention than question 2. Different positions demand different levels of immediate access. I do not have earbuds at all. There are large numbers of people with only one functioning ear, myself included. Otherwise, there's no such thing as true multitasking. So should I go ask why someone is using a mobility device because well I dont need it and work fine standing on my feet, why do you need that cane? Thats pretty severe of course but in a lot of cases, if you read the comments, youll see that some people with ADHD or sensory issues do require a quiet space to work and concentrate. Not by dealing with whoever is in front of their face at any given moment. I tore my ACL and meniscus changing diapers on the floor. Which makes them more expensive. And thats bad enough. It just wasnt one he agreed with. My desk faces my door and my computer monitor setup allows me to see when anyone walks by or enters my office. I dont know that its universal code. Do you prefer I ping you on IM first or is how were doing it okay with you? I find sometimes that it helps me concentrate; There isnt any noiseit just helps me be in in the zone. Im guessing this employee has some medical issue with earbuds. People very quickly lose interest in my physio appts! Literally came here to say this. And doubling down on what you said- people who come to IT peoples desks to interrupt them jump the queue-i was doing a business critical task for a VP yesterday that i had to stop to attend to someone who had an urgent luxury problem at my desk. So for me it doesnt make a difference. 1) as a customer of IT support, I would be really peeved if Id opened a ticket for something critical, they started working on it, and were then forced to stop working on my ticket because someone else had walked up to their desk and they have to be interruptible at all times. And even if it is a stupid, arbitrary rule which I agree it is HR is still not the one to go to for this. Employee Cell Phone Policy. You can read it here. Just not I feel awkward; it must be Bobs fault, better make him use earbuds as shes doing now. I7f Say my name. Feel free to borrow one of my injuries & claim it as your own. Oh, I agree, I was just noting how they come off to some people. That said, larger headphones can be expensive, and they are tough to take from place to place. Ioliq)7~#M7\A\y Music with lyrics, on the other hand, can help you complete repetitive, monotonous tasks. 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. If I have to block out everything on my own (without the earbuds), then I really DO block out EVERYTHING. I havent like, timed it or anything, but I really doubt Im faster at removing earbuds since most of the time involved is actually pause music. Different people have different work, different work requirements, and different work styles. Since this is an old letter, hopefully OP has since learned how to differentiate reasonable requirements vs. unreasonable ones. <> stream People are different from each other and have different needs and abilities. As in, if Im having to walk across the office to talk to them anywaywho cares if I wait a microsecond? Theyre your employees, not your servants. That often requires you to have intense concentration and having the noise canceling headphones assists greatly in making it faster and more efficient. Employees deserve better than being punished for reporting problematic situations to HR. All are excellent points. You are at work you should be working not sitting in a cone of silence, listening to music or podcasts unless you have a medical condition that gives you a reason to wear them. I work around a few people who will, in lieu of saying something to a persons face, choose to stage a conversation that they intend to be overheard instead. ), 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.. And because manager is being ridiculous considering headphones/headsets are also used for online meetings and such. I wear earbuds to help me block out distractions, such as other conversations, people walking by, noise from the nearby coffee area, and so on. No. Probably anyone deaf in one ear would still either have to wear one earbud or just go without. I work with a lot of gentlemen who were in different branches of the service. think about what youre hoping to accomplish with that info. And that was pure luck. This is tantamount to telling someone to change their clothing in the middle of the day. Going to the desk of one of the support staff was a way users would try to jump the ticket queue and get their issue taken care of immediately. Huh, count me as another one who would think that the point of a ticket system is that it routes through the system so you DONT have to go down to IT and chat with the IT guy. ), so they sometimes dont come to me with questions I do actually have time to answer.

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