How do you view employees wearing headphones at work as a boss? Doesn't this affect communication/work?

"Wonderful Reply"

Anonymous user

If the company has no explicit regulations, his behavior is within the permitted scope.

As an employee, I don't want my boss to forbid me from using headphones. When I'm writing, thinking, or getting irritated, listening to music can help me calm down quickly and get into the right state. Of course, if you're a big company with strict requirements, just ignore what I said. Hahahaha, my company also requires that sleeveless clothing is not allowed.

As a new employee, when I am not used to the new environment, I might wear headphones and listen to music to help me adapt to the environment.

If the company is very active or has a fast pace, it would be inappropriate for newcomers to discuss and arrange work through conversation.

If most of the communication is done using software, wearing headphones will not affect communication.

Regarding this question, "There are so many things to learn, and there may even be too much to learn, but I don't know how to learn it? It feels a bit boring?" I think it's because I have never been exposed to these things before, and it takes some time to understand them. There are so many things to learn at once, so I learn and think while listening to songs. People will have some fear of unfamiliar things.

As an e-commerce worker, I have to sit in front of the computer all day. I am really uncomfortable with the prohibition of using headphones at work. I can choose not to use them, but I cannot prohibit them.

Anonymous user

Agree with: AMSurfer

The poster and I have the same view on wearing headphones. The poster does not need to worry that he is alone and will definitely not be able to hear the content of the communication when wearing headphones. I personally don't like wearing headphones and basically don't wear them during working hours unless I am watching product videos with audio.

But nowadays, there are quite a few people who wear Bluetooth headsets. Many of my colleagues in my previous company wore headsets during work hours, including my direct supervisor who always wears headsets . I don’t know what he uses it for, but it’s probably because he listens to music. So we can’t generalize because the base number is very large.

It is recommended to speak directly and communicate your opinions and dissatisfaction directly. If it is a subordinate of your team, it is recommended to directly ask the department not to wear headphones to listen to music during working hours. This is easier to manage. Moreover, your opinions or so-called prejudices are basically unchangeable facts for you personally . Concepts are like this. If you don’t speak directly, you will always have opinions about this employee, which may eventually affect each other’s previous work and even the interaction of auras .

Monks love to eat fish

Sure enough, the best answer is from the boss's perspective, but I don't quite agree.

60 out of 65 replies told you that bosses should focus on profits and not care too much about things that are not related to profits. But you chose the few that told you that bias is okay. Is it because that employee touched the supreme power of a boss? Isn't the value of an employee to create profits for the company? In this case, shouldn't you consider whether wearing headphones will affect your work?

I personally don’t like wearing headphones at work, but I don’t understand this view. Because personal bias is an unchangeable fact for individuals, should employees bear the consequences of this bias?

The person who answered the question used the word "subordinates". I suggest you click on "subordinates" in Baidu to see what long-tail words will pop up automatically. You can also try the same approach as the answerer, but you will become more and more fussy and think you are not wrong, until all the employees who can create value for you leave, and you are left with a group of employees who are just sitting there doing nothing, obeying your orders, and treating them as imperial decrees.

Maybe you are like this. To borrow a sentence from the answerer below, why do bosses like to focus on these insignificant things? It seems that if the employees live a comfortable life, the company will fail. (No anonymity, welcome to communicate)

Love life melon  

@和尚爱吃鱼: I regret replying seriously. I should be the one to take this reward.

Monks love to eat fish

@爱情生活瓜: The truth is always harder to hear than a lie. Maybe the original poster does not want to consult everyone's suggestions, but wants to find someone who agrees with his ideas.

Anonymous user

Agree with: AMSurfer

I think there are pros and cons. It depends on your company's environment. Maybe you don't understand it because you don't have this need.

According to my own starting point, there are two kinds of normal wearing of headphones:

1. When you want to calm down and do something boring, such as looking for materials, it is easy to get tired physically and mentally when you quietly flip through them one by one. Some music can relieve the fatigue.

   
   

2. The environment around you is very noisy and you want to block it out, such as someone talking loudly, talking on the phone, or typing on the keyboard;

   
   

3. Watch some videos, study materials, and design product video materials.

If there is no communication in the company, and everything is communicated in the group, and the leader calls to the office through private messages in the group, not shouting, then wearing headphones will not affect work.

So what are the factors that affect work? When you need to distract yourself when listening to the content, such as listening to e-books. Or the company's office environment is really not suitable for wearing headphones. For example, you want everyone to communicate more at work, the atmosphere is more lively, and when everyone is talking, the people who hear can respond and agree.

Regarding your company's point, you didn't make it clear. If the company does not allow wearing headphones, then write it into the employee handbook and make it clear during the on-the-job training. In reality , there are people who isolate themselves to work more efficiently , and they like to do things quietly.

Anonymous user

This is actually a very serious issue, involving corporate culture. I personally don’t like wearing headphones, but I don’t mind others wearing headphones, as long as you can hear me when I call you.

In fact, the same is true in reverse. Everyone has their own preferences, especially young people.
I respect it and I bless you, but I have my bottom line.

So if you as a leader cannot accept it, you should write it into the rules and regulations. If you do not have the right to write it into the rules and regulations, then respect it, but maintain your bottom line.
 
If it is written into the rules and regulations, then we must abide by them.
1. You can wear headphones, but you have to be able to hear others calling you.
2. You can do anything without affecting others.
3. As long as your performance is good and you don’t openly oppose the company’s values, I can accept it.
4. Look at the strengths and weaknesses of both parties. If the company is small, I can give in for the sake of talent.

If you are not absolutely necessary, please abide by the company's rules and regulations.

Anonymous user

You are indeed biased. To put it bluntly, it is a two-way choice. You give money and she creates money for you. This is equal. He has completed his job and can get things done. Why do you care whether he wears headphones or not?

One thing is that we usually wear headphones to listen to music at work, and the company also plays music, but we don’t like to listen to it. Since I started working, I basically wear headphones freely. I can wear them to work all day. Sometimes the other noises in the office are too loud, such as the sound of keyboards, etc., so I wear headphones to listen to music and do my own work quietly.

And if someone at home or a friend sends you a voice message, will you use your phone or computer speakers to play it for everyone to listen to? I'll say you can turn down the volume on your phone. Then what you're asking is, do they put their phones to their ears to listen to voice messages or play with their phones at work? You also think this is not good.

In short, it's still a question of perspective. You just feel unhappy when they take your salary and wear headphones while working or something like that. Keep a calm mind and work is mutual. If they can make money for you, it's good. If they can't make money for you, you can fire them at that time.

Anonymous user

Endorsed by: AMSurfer, Christine

You are absolutely right. Once upon a time, back in 2017, I also liked to wear headphones and listen to music at work, but I would take them off when someone talked to me.

Let me tell you about my employees wearing headphones.

1. I have observed that most of the old employees don't wear headphones at all, because they all communicate with each other and don't feel bored.

   
   

2. Most new employees wear headphones to work. I usually don't mind as long as it doesn't affect their work . But when I talk to them, they take off their headphones. I think it's okay to wear headphones to work. I completely understand that they are not familiar with their colleagues and feel bored wearing headphones. It would be better if the work can be completed on time. I guess this is the case with you, an employee.
   
   

If you don’t allow headphones, you should issue a notice stating that headphones are not allowed when working, and that headphones can be used in certain situations, but not otherwise.

Anonymous user

Agree with: AMSurfer, Yi Xiaoyang, Ohyaofataicai, Xiaobalabala

I saw this post at first glance, and I have to say, this kind of topic that creates conflict is really effective in attracting attention, hahaha, don't mind it.

1. Every company has its own culture. If you don't like it, just make it a mandatory rule not to wear headphones. Isn't that simple? What are you worried about? Be considerate of your employees? There's absolutely no need. Well, if I see an employee playing games, I will fire him immediately.
   
   

2. Don't speculate on any possibilities . As an employee, he doesn't affect work progress or communication, so what's the problem with wearing headphones? Some people can be more efficient by listening to music, so is listening to music while working not working? Do you think he can't complete the task or has nothing to do?
   
   

3. I don't know what you mean by speakers? Are you talking on the loudspeaker? Isn't this more serious than wearing headphones? You are not allowed to talk on the loudspeaker when you are on the subway!

Anonymous user

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I didn't expect so many replies. The previous posts asking for advice were not as effective as this one... Fortunately, I am still anonymous. But I assure you that this is my personal experience and the question I asked.

Anonymous user

Agree from: Yi Xiaoyang

I have been in the industry for 8 years, and I wear headphones to work almost every day. I think there is no need to restrict this as long as it does not affect work and communication. I feel more focused when I wear headphones to work. If it is too restrictive, it will be too depressing. And if you ask your supervisor or his supervisor or you personally tell him not to wear headphones, some people will feel uncomfortable listening to it.

I suggest you continue to observe this employee. If the overall performance is good, you don't need to worry about the headphones. If the performance is very poor and the headphones really affect the work, you can consider persuading him to leave. In addition, regarding the system in the future, you can have HR and new employees train and explain the company's rules and regulations clearly. If you tell them not to wear headphones at the beginning, new employees will have a psychological basis and the rebellious psychology will not be too serious. PS: I also think that wearing headphones while communicating with others is not very respectful.

Anonymous user

Agree with: Gua who loves life, 99 cross-border workers, Xiong Lele, Xiao Balabala

It is normal for Amazon employees to wear headphones to work. As for whether wearing headphones is a bad attitude towards the public or disrespectful to others, this is still your personal opinion.

In a word: whether it affects the work results. As a boss, everything depends on the results. If an employee can bring benefits to the company and does not affect the company's system, he can do whatever he wants.

Give me back my electric car

I don't agree with your statement. It's a bit too idealistic.

(1) It is normal for Amazon employees to wear headphones at work. Your statement will make the bosses and managers very uncomfortable. What is the mentality of the poster when offering this reward?

(2) Wearing headphones is bad for the public or disrespectful to others. This is indeed a personal opinion or prejudice. When the boss or management wants to hang you, they see you wearing headphones. This shows that you have no awareness at all! ! ! What kind of awareness is this? The awareness of listening to the boss or the subjective instructions at any time . What kind of communication is DingTalk? It feels better when you talk to your boss in person. . .

(3) As a boss, everything depends on the results. This is a very complicated thing. This is only a part of the bosses. Don’t you allow the boss who thinks he is above everyone else to show off his presence? In the workplace, don’t you know the complexity of the workplace? When your performance is big, the boss wants to suppress you. Then he will constantly deny your role and say things to you that you think are unreasonable? Do you bring benefits to the company? Isn’t it the company that gives you the opportunity to develop? You can still replace someone else...

(4) Do whatever you want? If you wear headphones, five or six out of ten bosses will be uncomfortable, even if there is nothing wrong with you. Wearing headphones = not communicating with colleagues = not making progress, this logic is very explosive.

No pillow - gradually learning to love this industry

Agree from: Love Life Melon, Yi Xiaoyang, KAmazon, Patrick Star 1212

I will answer as an employee:

• I wear headphones when I get to get off work and take them off when I get off work, but I only wear one because I can't hear my colleagues talking if I wear it full, and I will take off the headphones when talking, whether I am working or not.
  

• See how well he does his job and his attitude towards work
  

• There is no need to hold managers accountable for a pair of headphones. They should be more tolerant.

Anonymous user

Wearing headphones makes it easier to slack off. You can't tell whether they are really working while listening to music, or just pretending to work but actually doing something else. That's why many companies simply ban wearing headphones.

But in some companies, the boss only looks at performance. If your performance is good, you can wear headphones every day, and he won't say anything. But if your performance is not good, he will use this as an excuse to hang you.

Anonymous user

You can try writing " No headphones allowed at work " into the job posting. I want to see how many people will be rejected.