The boss has banned listening to music on headphones. Is that fair?

Hi Aunty B,

Our employer is banning all music listening on headphones at work, which is a corporate environment, full of professionals.Management anecdotally believes it increases error rates and people are not “on the ball” as a result of having headphones on. The business is struggling a little of late.

On one hand I can see they have the right to ban this but on the other hand I believe listening to music often allows people to focus, to ignore extraneous conversations and distractions that occur in many workplaces.

Additionally, the effect of banning headphones and music is sure to have an impact on already low morale. What’s next? Banning toilet breaks?

Surely there are more important things for them to be worrying about than people listening to personal music?

Yours truly

Mr Pragmatic

Dear Mr Pragmatic,

OK, let’s pop into your employer’s head for a sec.

Here is what that nasty boss is thinking:

Oh my god. I am exhausted.

When was the last time I had a good night’s sleep?

What am I going to tell the board about our numbers?

I can’t keep hoping things are going to turn around.

How many staff am I going to have to lay off?

Two of them have babies on the way.  

How could I possibly do it?

How can I get staff to realise how desperate things are without alarming them?

How do I get them to give a bit more without making them work longer hours?

Can’t they read between the lines when I say we are struggling a bit?

So take a tip Mr Pragmatic. Surely there are more important things for you to worry about than listening to personal music. 

Be smart,

Your Aunty B

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