My company won't let me listen to music anymore [closed]

Question

I began programming at the age of 14 and over a decade has gone by, during this time, a day hasn't gone by when I don't listen to music, radio or podcasts.

When I'm programming at home or in work, I always like to listen to music, sometimes the same album or playlist throughout the week, as it becomes a constant, and I almost don't notice its there. 1 headphone in usually means, talk to me, both headphones is known to the girlfriend and friends as "code mode". They know better than to get more than a few words out of me. I'm sure you guys understand!

So, I use to work for a big ATM company dealing with banks on a daily basis, I was more of a number than a person, and when I worked I could listen to music all day and night. If anyone had any issues, they would ping me on MSN or give me a tap. I was fine with that, and so was everyone else (as they all did the same).

Now I've moved on (had to relocate) I have a new job in a much smaller company. The company is NOT software orientated at all, I am the only on site programmer, all previous work was outsourced. We have around 30 people in the office (mixture of admin, accounts but mainly noisy sales teams), I probably talk to 2 of them. They're not a social bunch, I'm fine with that, as I know what they do has no impact on what I do and vice versa, so I sit quietly, put my headphones on and code.

I know (they kind of know) that I'll be leaving this time next year, as they're a small company we established in the interview that after 2 years I might struggle to find projects. So... back to my problem (I promise that was all relevant) in my first week I set up my coding environment, and began working. The IT manager pulled me aside and said "we have a slight issue, you can't wear your headphones" when I asked why they responded "the boss will go mad".

So after a few months of no headphones, or sneakily wearing them when it got really loud. I became confident to wear them, as the boss himself acknowledged I wore them. I told him "it helps me concentrate, and gets me in the zone". He didn't say anything at this point (and never has). I had no issues for around 4-5months.

Then last month I was called into a meeting with one of the MDs, he told me I can no longer wear headphones. Again I asked why, this time they said "the sales team are wearing them". They don't, I know they don't because I sit next to them all. I tried to argue my point, I received the 'I know I feel for you' speech, and that was that. No more music. I returned to the office and had a few pairs of eyes on me, looking pretty happy with themselves. One even turned to the receptionist behind me and said "have you noticed", the receptionist responded... "what?" then got up looked over the divide straight at me. Subtle huh. I like to call this "Small Company Fever"... they don't like change when trying to 'save the world' everyday.

So now after a month, I find I can't concentrate fully, my mind wanders. To make it worse... they've moved my desk from the middle of the office, to the main door, which happens to be next to the toilets, the huge photocopier/printer and the kitchen. Its loud, really loud. Its actually starting to stress me out, and make me want to look for a new job.

So heres is my dilemma. Am I just being a big girls blouse, should I just shut up and just get on with it as its only for another year and a bit... or do you think I have a genuine problem, and if so... how would you deal with it?

Sorry for War & Peace II.

All the best! Rocky

Answer 1

I think the issue isn't so much that you can't listen to music, but that your work area is too loud and disruptive. Listening to music allows you to filter that out. If you aren't able to do that, how can you work?

Software development is a concentration based job. Refer to rule #8 in the Joel Test. http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000043.html Every time you are disrupted, it puts you back a lot. As long as you wearing headphones isn't disrupting anyone else, what is the problem?

Saying you are not allowed to because the Sales team is doing it doesn't fly. I'm guessing the Sales team members have jobs which require more communication, and so it would be inappropriate for them to 'zone out' in the same way. That is like saying you can't wear headphones because the receptionist started doing it. If the Sales team shouldn't wear them, tell them that.

You need a quiet work environment, or at least a way to drown out the sound.

If they won't budge on headphones, ask about getting an office, being moved to a quieter area, or wearing ear plugs.

Answer 2

Be frank with your boss. The company has made it clear they do not value you. They do not support creating a productive environment and you can't continue to work in that environment unless you can establish a productive working environment. Be clear what this means.

1. Quiet working area where you can concentrate and get your work done. Private offices are always touchy, but be firm. If they want an onsite programmer this is what it takes.
2. You get to wear headphones and do anything else that helps your productivity. Remind them they are paying you to do your best work, it's only in their best interests to have you as productive as possible.

Be prepared to leave or be fired over this. Go ahead and check out the job market. It's red hot right now in many places for qualified programmers.

Don't back down.

Answer 3

Are you sure your headphones didn't leak music to neighboring cubicles? It can be really annoying to others and you can easily do it by mistake.

It seems to me from your description that your coworkers were happy to found out you are not listening to music anymore. Although, it would have been more mature from their part to confront you directly, if it was really the leaking headphone sound that was annoying them.

The real problem is, however, the noisy environment of your office. I believe you should choose your battle here and consider getting a position in a company that treats its employees better.

Answer 4

You have a genuine problem, but it's not the one you think it is.

The music you can live without, as long as you get a steady amount of noise - it doesn't have to be quiet, but a printer going off every 15 minutes is very distracting. I would argue that the need for music is exactly that; it's overriding variable noise with something fairly constant.

But the bigger problem is the suspicion that people are stabbing you in the back. This is either a paranoia problem on your side, or a personal problem on theirs. Both are bad, for you and for the business.

Without more specifics about the relationship between yourself and your sales team, it's hard to give anything more than generic advice. That advice would be to think hard about why they're acting the way they are and try to adjust your approach to play to that.

Or leave. But if you take the easy route then this problem may plague you through several jobs.

Answer 5

Talk to your supervising manager about the problem

It is in his best interest that you and your co-workers have what you need to work effectively. If you can't concentrate because of the noise then they should do something about that, such as moving you to a quieter location. If they can't they shouldn't complain about you wearing headphones or earbuds, right? Be as clear as you can about this issue.

All managers should care about the workplace environment, it's in their implicit job description. If they DON'T comply with your simple demand about your workplace environment (much like #8 in the Joel test) then secretly look for a new job where they do care about this sort of thing. At least now you know what question you should ask in the future job interview.

Answer 6

Explain that programming requires you to concentrate but you are in a noisy environment and so are finding your concentration is being disturbed, which is lowering your productivity and leading to more errors in your work. Say that wearing headphones was a solution to this since it enabled you to block out external noise and thus concentrate.

Then tell your boss that if headphones aren't acceptable then what would he/she suggest to do to solve this problem? This puts the onus back on to them to solve the problem.

Answer 7

I would try ear plugs. Definitely not as nice as headphones but it might just get you through until you are ready to leave. If they have a problem with that, depending on your situation, I would probably tell them that you are going to leave if they don't accommodate you in some way. But, if losing your job would be very detrimental, I would instead of making demands, simply find another job.