15 Comments on What do you think: Do iPods belong at work?

Scott on Tue, 17th Mar 2009 12:18 pm


I bring mine to work everyday, and I’m in my 40′s. Our agency has requested we do not take up disk space with music, pictures, etc. They have no problem with me listening to music provided it does not bother anyone else (I have my own office) and it is appropriate. Other who share an office use headphones or other devices to listen to music. Production is up, stress is down, and everyone is happy.

Jennifer on Tue, 17th Mar 2009 1:53 pm


Depends on the type of job that a person has, if they have to answer the phone, they can’t use an ipod. We have found that productivity is higher with the use of the ipod.

Tom on Tue, 17th Mar 2009 1:55 pm


We do not allow any music at work. Our employees need to concentrate on their tasks, many of which involve dealing with customers either face-to-face or on the phone and headphones are not appropriate. In addition, the use of headphones interferes with the whole idea of employeeas working as a team.

Don on Tue, 17th Mar 2009 5:03 pm


Most employees use them to avoid contact with co-workers and the most infuriating things about employees using iPods in the office are related to the increased lack of communication that results from it.
1. You call their phone at their desk and they don’t answer, because they don’t hear it ring.
2. You walk over to the desk to speak to them and have way through your question they pop the earbuds out of their ears and say, “huh?” – my time is too valuable to waste repeating myself and hunting down the Cold Play zombies.
Total productivity killer. If it was up to me iPods would be banned completely.

Ric on Wed, 18th Mar 2009 8:36 am


Hey Tom, is your last name micromanagement? Gen X and the next generations need different needs met and we have to be open minded wherever possible. Safety first and employee second is how we get the end customers taken care of. Teams have to consist of open minded and cooperative members.

Pam on Wed, 18th Mar 2009 9:21 am


I have my iPod playing right now while I work. I have my own office, and play it low with music that suits my mood. Right now it is soothing celtic instrumental music. We allow music to be played — no set policy. I think it really boils down to common sense. If we are working in an area that is heavy in customer contact, then earbuds, bluetooth headsets, etc., are inappropriate. However for those who work in an office (or a cube) who can play music that is non-distracting, it can actually help production and reduce stress.

Rebecca on Wed, 18th Mar 2009 2:13 pm


It appears that headphones are the real safety issue, as opposed to iPods, as there are many alternatives for using and playing your iPod (i.e. portable iPod docking stations with speakers). Music is allowed at my company and I listen to my iPod daily (with portable speakers) and I am in my late 30′s. I believe music is theraputic and can make some more productive in a stressful environment.

Tom on Wed, 18th Mar 2009 3:24 pm


Pam,

I envy you. Although I have a private office, I do not listen to music although it would probably help relieve some of the daily stress. I believe that I need to lead by example and I would never ask an employee to comply with a policy, but ignore it myself. However, there are time that I miss Mozart.

Michelle on Wed, 18th Mar 2009 5:42 pm


I couldn’t imagine not listening to my iPod while at work. I am in an office, but I always keep it low. I built a special “work” playlist that has no offensive language and I always turn it off when on conference calls to reduce background noise.

I feel it makes me more productive. I do feel that headphones are inappropriate though as it is harder to hear the phone ringing. As long as the music is low on speakers & doesn’t distract neighbors if in an open area – I see nothing wrong with it.

Tom on Thu, 19th Mar 2009 12:27 pm


The problem with music, whether on a radio, iPod, or computer is that it may disturb another employee. If you have several employees in a given area, each with their own music source and their own music preferences, the volume on each will begin to escalate and agruments will ensue. It’s easier to just say, “No” and eliminate a potential source of contention within the workplace. We used to allow music and had continual problems. When we eliminated radios, iPods etc, there were initial complaints, but those went away, no employees quit and productivity has never been higher.

Jason on Wed, 25th Mar 2009 10:39 am


I listen to my Ipod frequently at work. I’m in my late twenties, have many accounting type functions, it doesn’t affect my work in a negative way at all. Boss doesn’t mind either, I can hear my phone just fine when it rings. It’s like crank’n up the stereo at home when you are doing housework, the work is much more bareable. I take them out when someone stops by my office.

JParr on Mon, 30th Mar 2009 9:37 am


I think allowing people to listen to music at work is just fine, provided:

1. Work is a priority. Individuals that miss phone calls or otherwise fail to prioritize work-related activities because they are listening to music should have their privilege revoked. The “ground rules” should be set up front, and agreed by manager and employees in writing.

2. They keep it to themselves via headphones or earbuds. Even playing music “low” without headphones can be annoying to a person in an adjacent cube.

3. Listening does not create a safety issue. If you work in a warehouse, loading dock, construction, etc… it MIGHT be a safety issue if you can’t hear what’s going on around you. Additionally, if you work in the “cube farm” and can’t hear the fire alarm go off, that’s a problem.

4. They don’t use company resources to do it…. no loading down your PC with MP3s, or storing MP3s on the server. Additional consideration: no downloading from iTunes at work.

That said, USB devices are a very relevant source of data breaches, and you can load almost any kind of data on most MP3 players. I think companies that allow MP3 players should take steps to block USB devices from connecting to company-owned systems, prevent iTunes from being loaded or started, and prevent MP3 files from being written to the disk. And of course, all of these technology controls should be supported by a company-wide acceptable use policy…

Mindy on Tue, 31st Mar 2009 1:30 pm


We recently revised some of our policies and we settled on allowing employees, depending upon the job of course, to wear one ear bud if they want some music, but then they have to keep one ear open to listen for the phones, etc. I have no idea if anyone actually is doing this. I have a dock with speakers for myself, but I have an office.

Travis on Tue, 14th Apr 2009 3:43 pm


If it doesn’t hinder productivity, then I’m all for it. For outbound sales reps it can be a little distracting (I feel) so there are limits if numbers aren’t up, activity is down etc…but for the most part it’s welcomed.

Ducky on Tue, 28th Apr 2009 9:53 am


I speak from both sides of this argument. I manage a department of ten, three of which think of their iPods as extensions of their body. Me personally, I have no issue with someone listening to music through headphones or earbuds but not speakers. My boss, however, wants the use of iPods stopped. She finds it unprofessional and counterproductive.

We reached a compromise. As long as listeners are aware of their surroundings–phones must be answered, listeners are not startled when someone walks up to them, they answer promptly when their name is called–iPods with earbuds can be used. However, it’s a one-strike-and-you’re-out game.

Of my users, only one was disciplined; her volume was so loud, I heard it in my office and she was 2 cubicles away! And yes, she was using earbuds.

I think it boils down to productivity and safety.