The one true thing about working in an open office is that everyone has headphones. How else do you drown out the noise? Even if you werent one to listen to music while working, well, now you are. And so is the co-worker to your left, right, and across from you. Show Everyones listeningsome of us louder than others. Your perfectly pleasant colleague, Larry, in fact, dons giant headphones every morning and turns his volume up so loud that you can actually hear all the lyrics. How to Put an End to This as Subtly as Possible:First, consider that Larry isnt aware that his musics so loud your team could start a sing-a-long. Hes probably only listening because he, too, is distracted by the noise and needs to drown everything out. If he knew that you were struggling to do your work because of him he might even be mortified. Try this candid approach: I love that last group you were just listening to. Who are they? At this point, he might recognize that the volume was not at an acceptable level and rush to turn it down. He may apologize and ask you to let him know if its ever disruptive again. How to Put an End to This if He Cant Take a Hint:If hes oblivious, politely ask if he could turn it down a notch. My earbuds arent the best, so between your music and this offices chaos, I cant focus! Haha. Sometimes, making a half-joke out of the situation and commiserating can take a potentially awkward exchange and make it feel less cringe-worthy. So, tell me on Twitter: What is your most frustrating office issue? If a lot of people agree, I might just cover it! |
