To headphone or not to headphone, that is the question. According to Sonarworks, about 93% of employees use headphones as part of their job. They can enable productivity and help people get into a groove, but there are some guidelines when wearing them.
John Joyce, co-owner of CRS Technology Consultants, joined Gulf Coast News to discuss the etiquette around headphones in the office.
Hearing another person’s conversations, music or audio from videos is a social no-no. Sound can be distracting, annoying and upsetting. That is why it's important to be mindful of others at all times, especially in public places.
A lack of headphones is becoming a bigger problem in the workplace. Since the pandemic, employees are relying more on audio from their computers. You might have one employee on a video call, another individual completing an online tutorial and another listening to a work-related podcast. They cannot all have their computer speakers on at once.
The solution may seem simple: wear headphones at all times. It’s not that easy, though. Generally, there is a lack of awareness that causes tensions within the office. It may be tough to get a colleague’s attention without tapping that person on the shoulder. Also, employees may seem disengaged, disassociated or distant with co-workers.
Joyce recommends that businesses have a policy when it comes to headphones. Second, businesses should treat headphones like other standard-issue tech. Every employee should be given work headphones — wired or wireless.
For more information, CRS Technology Consultants has created an online resources page at CRSTC.com .
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