I joined a new office since January. Work isn't very exciting but it pays alright although not great pay. However, when I used my headphones to listen to music, the boss said he doesn't like it. So, I don't listen to music at office. However, I sometimes wish if I had some music. On top of that, my office doesn't have any eating area, no kitchen, no fridge, no microwave. No talks besides ones related to work. If something was discussed before, no discussion on same thing again because boss thinks it's waste of time. I got yelled at couple of times because there were some bugs. I'm not sure if I'm over reacting or the office isn't good. We are just 3 in office including boss.
Are you allowed to listen to music at work (with headphones)?
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Re: Are you allowed to listen to music at work (with headphones)?
#2Where I work we have music playing within the workplace through speakers, we're also free to use headphones if we wish. I don't see why you wouldn't be allowed to be honest - that seems a little unfair!
Re: Are you allowed to listen to music at work (with headphones)?
#3it would sound like as if there could be office environments for you where you would feel better. are you coding? how long have you been in this (or a similar) position?
I would start to ask myself what I'm getting from the job (besides the money) and why I joined in the first place. maybe make a weighed pro's and con's list and see how I score.
does that help?
Re: Are you allowed to listen to music at work (with headphones)?
#4That sounds like a really unpleasant work environment. I don't think you're overreacting.
Re: Are you allowed to listen to music at work (with headphones)?
#5That sounds like a toxic environment and my advice would be to move on.
Re: Are you allowed to listen to music at work (with headphones)?
#6That sounds like a toxic environment and my advice would be to move on.
I'd second this advice. Also, did you notice any warning signs during your initial interview? If not, you should consider incorporating some questions that'll feel out the office culture.
Re: Are you allowed to listen to music at work (with headphones)?
#7You don't seem to be overreacting. That's a small, intense, pressure cooker type environment with a lot of control going on.
If it were me, I would be looking elsewhere.
Re: Are you allowed to listen to music at work (with headphones)?
#8That sounds like a bad place to work. In better workplaces, and in terms of headphones policy, wearing them should be allowed, but it should be seen as a temporary do not disturb sign, and one shouldn't wear them all the time. Being in a shared office implies communication between the other people and wearing headphones all the time may interrupt with that.
In practice, what I've seen is that in the mornings with the stand ups and other meetings and calls with clients nobody wears headphones. Then after lunch and heads go down, the headphones go on.
Re: Are you allowed to listen to music at work (with headphones)?
#9it would sound like as if there could be office environments for you where you would feel better. are you coding? how long have you been in this (or a similar) position? I would start to ask myself what I'm getting from the job (besides the money) and why I joined in the first place. maybe make a weighed pro's and con's list and see how I score. does that help?
Yeah, I do coding. I think the same. Nothing except money. The code base is old and I'm advised to follow the same coding pattern, copy paste and make changes. No new looking or different code allowed even if it is new and great technique. Boss doesn't want to learn and manage it if I'm gone. The man is fine during lunch, nice talk but once we get into office, it's pin drop silence. I once asked what should I do today, what should I work on. He says "Sip coffee, lay back and enjoy the day. Can you do that? " I was speechless ! :)
Re: Are you allowed to listen to music at work (with headphones)?
#10At every job I've worked that involved programming and working inside of an office, I was permitted to listen to music on my headphones.