Male co-worker keeps turning our office radio down

[user1471867483]

I've been in my office job now for 9 years, my other co-worker 4 years and another 15 years. A male co-worker joined 18 months ago. We always have the radio on. However, a few weeks ago, when I wasn't there, he told my co-worker that he wanted the radio moved away from him, so she moved it closer to us. Now, today, I went to the toilet, came back, and the radio was turned down by him (my co-worker was present). She emailed me to say he turned it down as it was getting on his nerves. Ten minutes later I turned it back up again (as I am not allowing the newest one in the office taking over). Our boss allows us to have the radio and has done all these years. My co-worker said I'm ballsy to turn it up again, but why shouldn't I? He's the second newest in fgs. Was I wrong to turn it back up or something?

YABU. I absolutely hate the radio on in the office but can tolerate it if it's on low. You sound like a nightmare to work with to be honest.

@user1471867483 is this the male colleague you've disliked from the start and have complained about before on MN?

Same. Radio in an office setting? I am so glad I never had to deal with that. It sounds extremely distracting and uncomfortable.

I used to work at an artisanal butcher shop (PT in uni) and we could not even have the radio on. It was considered too distracting (accidents happen...) and people never agreed about what station to listen to...

Doesn’t matter that he’s newest in or male - just because you want a radio on doesn’t mean everyone else has to!

But will you pay for them?

I have ADHD and could'nt work without the radio on.
It's the only way I can focus and would I'd be pissed off if after all those years I had to leave because someone new started and wanted to change the way it had always been.
Headphones don't work because you can't hear anyone and they make your ears sore all day everyday.

You sound very annoying.

You being there longer doesn’t give you greater rights than him. You’re all employees of the same place and his ability to get his work done is important.

I'd be turning it up louder just because he's a man.
Thinking he be using his VIPenis to get his own way.

👏 I really hope he goes down this route. I'm really appalled that OP has not at all acknowledged the vast majority of responses or considered she may be in the wrong.

Thinking it could possibly be reasonable to ask someone to wear something that's uncomfortable and stops him being as aware of his surroundings for an ENTIRE day at work because they want to listen to the radio of all things? Horrible.

Picking the one single comment that agreed with you in 8 pages is wild. This poor bloke, working with an Office Karen

Are you a man?

You are being unreasonable. Sorry.

Why does everyone have to listen to your radio and your music? I wouldn't want that.

Just because he's the newest there, makes no difference. How do you think you'd like it if he spoke about you this way?

No, but I take it you're another Office Karen offended because the shoe fits

Bone conduction headphones are your friends. The sound is conducted through your cheekbones, not your ears. You can hear normally and there's nothing in your ear canal to make it sore.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hanmer-Conduction-Headphones-Bluetooth-Waterproof/dp/B0CKR2774V/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?

I agree.

Although I do feel sorry for all the perfectly normal and considerate women named Karen who have to deal with the whole "Karen" stereotype...

Those sound awesome! Thanks!!

(I also have adhd and tend to wear over ear headphones - not noise cancelling - because I absolutely can´t stand the in ear ones...)

OP, you're being very selfish. You've had your way for a decade, maybe you've forgotten how to compromise? Sometimes you just cannot have everything exactly the way you want, and need to meet others partway. Turn the chuffing thing down and stop being an "office harridan" stereotype.

user1471867483 · Today 07:44
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I'll put this to him! 👏”

You sound insufferable. Pages of people disagree with you and you choose one post that suits you to reply to.

Buy yourself some headphones!

It also points out that she is a bully and should be reported. Feel really sorry for the guy.

They can get a Bluetooth radio and earbuds. Why should he be one to get headphones just so he can work in peace?

I used to be able to do homework with the radio on, now it would be a distraction.

They're at WORK. Yes if it's a shop or factory a radio is fine, in an office its only OK if everyone agrees.

Chirpystarling
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It's the only way I can focus and would I'd be pissed off if after all those years I had to leave because someone new started and wanted to change the way it had always been.

Length of service is irrelevant. Everyone has equal rights in a work environment. Nothing stays the same forever. Things evolve.

I don’t think you’re wrong actually, this is how it’s done and he doesn’t get to swan in and change it. As others have said, he can get a pair of loop headphones.

"Maybe the OP’s male colleague is turning it off with his penis?"

🤣🤣

He hasn't 'swanned in'. He's been working there for 18 months. He's as entitled as anyone else to have an environment in which he can focus.

You sound delightful