How do I cope with music in the office?

[IWishThatYouWouldStay]

I work in an open plan office.

A colleague who is far more important than me has started playing music from a speaker on his desk.

It annoys a few people but not enough for them to say anything.

I don't know why but it's a massive trigger for me. It fills me with anxiety and really lowers my mood as well as making it difficult to concentrate.

He won't stop and the most senior person in the office will take his side over mine so won't make him stop either.

How do I learn to cope with it?

Not acceptable, I'd be tempted to dob them in to the performing rights society. If they have already got a licence I'd go the HR route.

Put your own music on, but louder!

In fact get everyone who objects to his music to play their music and ensure each is different.

Hint: Tibetian Monk Chants might be good!

Thanks for all the replies!

A quick google has shown that even for an office of 'private' employees, you may need a music licence.

I might mention it to facilities. If we definitely need one, that might be a good route to go down.

Also looking at Loop ear buds so thanks for all those suggestions.

You don't have a condition OP, the vast majority of people don't like this. I tell people in public transport to use their earphones if they play music loudly.

Why are you pussyfooting around speaking to your line manager just tell the bloke it's really annoying and ask him to turn it off. Only a psychopath would refuse that in an open plan office.

We have heart on the radio at work and it is the main reason I wfh whenever possible. When I have to be in the office I put an earbud in and play my own music on Spotify. I can still hear what’s going on around me from the other ear.

Send a note (anonymously if necessary) to someone higher up and ask whether the company has a PRS licence.

we work with a radio on low - without it it is deathly silent and colleagues coming into
our office complained that it was
uncomfortable. it was.

there are two people who require silence - when they are not chatting of course. the rest of us felt awkward asking if anyone wanted a
brew as we got the look.

the low radio has changed the vibe of the office for the better bar than for these two people. 6 weeks in they stopped moaning.

open plan office is a nightmare. we also have disagreements about whether the window is opened or not!

From another perspective, I hate overly quiet workplaces. I once worked in an office that was like a morgue; chatting was frowned upon and all conversations were in whispers. I used to bring my iPod and headphones in but was told it was against H&S rules as I “wouldn’t be able to hear the fire alarm” 🙄.

Yes, music licence, and I'ts expensive. Last place I worked my colleague got a call asking if we'd like to pay for piped music in the workshop ... he said no thanks, we have the radio on .... they were bang to rights, fined, can't remember how much! See below!

"You're infringing copyright if you play live or recorded music in public without a licence. You could be sued for damages.

Get a licence to play live or recorded music - GOV.UK
GOV.UK
www.gov.uk › licence-to-play-live-or-recorded-...

Genuine question, does an office where the public don’t go count as “in public”? I know my hairdresser has a PRS licence but would an office, which is effectively private property be subject to the same rules?

Yes it is.

Get a couple more colleagues to also bring in a speaker. Put them all on, playing different tunes or radio stations. Inside of a day there will be a headphones rule.

I feel your pain, after 2 hours of the radio I need to go lie down in a dark room.

I'd sing along loudly, and out of key.

This has just reminded me that the other week someone newish was using a room at the same time as me and she played music low on her phone and sang and hummed almost the entire time. I was just about cracking up. Never had that before.

What is wrong with people? I share an office twice a week. On those days I wouldn't dream of playing music at my desk. On the days when I'm alone I love tunes for company.

Sounds like a horrible place to work.

id use headphones

I'd be coming into work early some day and removing the fuse from the speaker's plug.

But.. have you actually asked this employee to stop?

I hate open plan for stuff like this. We have a woman who talks and talks all day and also our manager will warble to whatever she's listening to (in headphones thankfully). A radio would send me over the edge. As it is, I use Loop earplugs which I keep in my desk, or over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. Your colleague is a dick. It's unfair to have anyone dominate communal space where people aren't allowed to just leave. Can you move seat?

I can't imagine working in an office without music, I would hate it. I used to listen to music through my computer speakers while there was louder music playing from wall speakers in the background.

Honestly, I have worked on reception, with a building site right behind me (offices being reconfigured). I just tuned it out, it's really not difficult. Some of you really are delicate flowers!

Perhaps if you buy noise cancelling headphones people will ask why you're wearing them and you can explain you cannot bear the constant noise pollution so this is your only solution - perhaps then they will realise it's absolutely not ok and stop it.

This would be horrible, is antisocial, unreasonable, not acceptable, and most would dislike it at absolute best.

Noise pollution causes increased blood pressure, aggravation, anxiety and has been proven to lower life expectancy. Sometimes we must tolerate noise - but there is no reason at all why you should have to endure this in your workplace - the problem has been manufactured by one entitled, selfish person.

If there is anyone further up to complain to, you should. You should also record the noise level for proof.

Loop ear plugs are your friend. I also struggle with a noisy office, I need peace to work and to write. One of the many reasons I prefer to work from home in my quiet peaceful house, I am much more productive!

This.

Everywhere I've worked recently they have the radio on. When did this become the norm?

I wouldnt mind so much if it was the kind of music I like.
But it never is,and shock horror we are all different.

I too can tune out loud noises, I dont hear next doors dogs barking, or the house Reno 3 doors up, but music is different.

And as someone up thread said, it's the same damn 10 songs.