Music in the office – How to tell a coworker to turn it off!?
by Parenting Software on 19/08/10 at 4:37 am
I work in a cubicle in an office with an open floor plan. My coworker listens to music on her PC (usually the same CD over and over again) through speakers instead of headphones. Unlike many others, I find music very distracting while trying to concentrate at work. When I asked if she would mind using headphones she (quite literally) ignored me and turned the volume down a bit. At the current volume level I can’t hear the lyrics, but can still hear the persistent humming and rhythm of the songs. Though I can appreciate the gesture of turning the volume down and that the music is probably relaxing to her, I don’t appreciate being ignored or the distraction. I’d like to avoid becoming a tattletale and involving our manager, but I’m not sure how else to phrase my request. I don’t think I’m being unreasonable, and it is always my nature to yield to others at my own discomfort rather than to risk conflict. However, my work is suffering, and that is not something that I’m willing to risk for someone else’s musical enjoyment. I’d appreciate any constructive advice on how to best approach the inevitable conversation that I’ll need to have with her.
Thank you to everyone for the constructive advice! The headphones are now on! Now, I’ve got to get off Yahoo! and get some work done. 
Pass It On...
Aug 19th, 2010
She’s already ignored your very reasonable request…repeating yourself isn’t going to work with her…she’s made her point…she’s not willing to use headphones. You don’t want to go to the manager…but without doing that, you can’t control her behavior, but you CAN control your own. If I was in your position, I’d get some sound deadening earplugs; they’re inexpensive, and they work. They carry them at any major pharmacy chain like Walgreen or CVS.
eyJude
Aug 19th, 2010
why not buy her an ipod for xmas or just drop off one. Say that you realize she loves music but because you can hear it it is distracting.
Another thing you can get is one of the environment sounds … like running water, ocean, rain… it usually covers any distracting noise.
Since she has TRIED by turning it down this should cover the humming sounds you hear.
Snitzels
Aug 19th, 2010
"Excuse me, would you mind using headphones? Your music is very distracting for me when I’m trying to work. Thank you!"
Breean
Aug 19th, 2010
Tell your manager. She’s being inconsiderate and unprofessional, so don’t worry about being a "tattletale". Music should not be allowed in an office anyway, unless being heard through headphones. The manager should suggest she use headphones or turn it off! If productivity is suffering because of her selfish behavior, this should be addressed immediately!
Damsell With Stress
Aug 19th, 2010
well it is the perfect time of year, with christmas get her a pair of headphones and when you give it to her just politely let her know that music is more of a distraction for you.
Outside of that you will either suffer from the music, look like a tattletail, or a old hag.
Good luck.
J-Dawn
Aug 19th, 2010
You should probably talk to her about it quietly and say what you said here. There might be a reason she doesn’t wear headphones. I have inner ear damage from childhood and have never been able to stand headphones, earmuffs, or anything else that might cover/go into my ears. It literally causes me anxiety.
Kozmo
Aug 19th, 2010
When your co-worker goes to lunch, cut the wires to her speakers and place a pair of headphones on top of her keyboard. I think that’s a nice, subtle way of saying "Use the f*ucking headphones."
mystic_firefly43
Aug 19th, 2010
You need to get your manager involved if the next request you do doesn’t work because that’s exactly why there IS a manager. To MANAGE what’s going on! Ask your coworker nicely and if she chooses to ignore it again, go to the manager and BE a tattle tale. You have a right to work in silence if that’s what you need to be successful in that place.
B-Jo
Aug 19th, 2010
When dealing with situation as these please be careful with your words.
"Do you mind turning down the volume, I’m having a hard time concentrating?"
"I cannot focus, do you mind turning down the volume a little?"
Headphones is always an option. If you coworker ignores your request to watch the volume of his/her music then it would be in your best interest to speak with a member of management. You are not at work to listen to music (as I’m sure the rest of you aren’t, it’s just an added bonus but if the volume isin’t watched and others aren’t respected in trying to complete their duties, then the music needs to be eliminated.
Try these kind of tactics and hopefully this will help.
hypno_toad1
Aug 19th, 2010
How rude of her to ignore your reasonable request.
Its one thing to hear you out and debate the issue, its another thing to just ignore you and assume that turning it down is an acceptable compromise.
As much as you don’t want to, I would say it is most likely necessary to involve your supervisor. There is no reason she couldn’t use headphones, and lets face it, if everyone listened to music the way she did, it would be unreasonably noisy throughout the entire office.
thafreshface
Aug 19th, 2010
first let me say, she is rude. ignoring someone that way is unprofessional. but since you don’t seem to want to rock the boat, try this before involving management:
to start, is listening to music aloud against company policy? if not expressly disallowed, try to find a middle ground…especially because there may be others who enjoy music who would not appreciate your problem becoming theirs, you know? so, talk to her. i think that you are in the right to point out you’ve already asked her politely to use headphones. say something like this:
"Can we talk about the music for a minute? i’m still having a hard time concentrating, even tho you turned the volume down when i asked you to please use headphones. to be honest, that seems like the fair thing to do, but i’m willing to compromise. if you will use headphones for half the day, i will use earplugs the other half, or just learn to deal with the noise."
if she can’t agree to THAT, drag the manager in asap. she’s being a brat. it’s unfair to force something on someone that they have no choice to endure. it reminds me of smokers smoking in public places. just like you can’t choose NOT to breath, you can’t choose NOT to hear, so you should have the upper hand here. and don’t sweat it, it’s what managers are for.
good luck!
Lindsey
Aug 19th, 2010
Say exactly what you said in your question. Tell your coworker to turn her music off because it is distracting to you. Tell her to use headphones. If she won’t stop then you need to speak to an office manager or supervisor. There should be a meeting where no music should be play at all. It isn’t necessary and it is very unprofessional. You need to talk to a manager because your work is suffering. You could write an anonymous letter so that no one knows it is you or you could get a petition signed if it bothers other coworkers.
ed
Aug 22nd, 2011
you shuld just jet some of those blocking out headphones to block out the noise
michael vaira
Aug 22nd, 2011
you should ask them nicely to trun the music. because is really rude just to trun it off