I have an issue at work

Post Reply New Topic

I work in a huge company, doing data entry basically. Surrounded by NTs who chatter to each other all the time. 99% of them ignore me and I ignore them, suits me fine.

I've been there for three years and that entire time we've been allowed to wear earphones/ipod. Which is awesome for me as it allows me to block out the chatter/sounds I can't stand and just get on with my work.

Music calms me down.

But as of Monday, we recently got a new higher up manager, there are to be no more earphones in. We're allowed to have a radio/ipod [I don't own an ipod, just an mp3 player] on a really low volume on our desk.

This is freaking me out. Now I'm forced to sit there and have no way of blocking out sounds that make my sensory issues go nuts. Then added to that, if everyone has different music playing at their desks, I'll have to endure that as my hearing is very good.

I'm seeing my psychologist Monday afternoon so I'll bring it up with her and maybe get excused from the new rule but then I'll feel like more of an outcast. Can't win.

I am trying to find a new job but just not sure what I want to do. Defiantly something in a smaller company!

Ear plugs and disclosure. You don't have to tell your boss that you have ASD but tell them that your hearing is very sensitive so you need to block out the background noise. You can also tell them you have Auditory processing disorder (AKA sensitive hearing). Whatever.... The answer is pretty simple. They cannot disallow that...

Wow that would drive me insane....I can hardly stand hearing two differnt things at once. For instance music playing and then a cell phone ring tone going off is terribly unpleasent. But different music from every desk in a large openish space? Any way you can talk to the employer about this and explain your situation? I would have no choice but to quit if they did not make an exception.

What I don't understand is why people feel they have to change things. Why suddenly not allow ear buds? It's so frustrating when policies change. When I am happy with something I know I must savor the moment fully before someone comes along and tinkers with perfection.

My manager [one of them] knows a lot about my "issues' but for some reason she still expects me to be like everyone else.

We weren't even given a week for the change, told Friday and change goes into action Monday

I think I'll get my psych to write a letter explaining why I need to have access to earphones and music. I wish I could just quit but that isn't really possible at the moment.

It's all about making their mark and being seen to be in control. The policies of those deficient in genuine ideas.

The worst kind of management edicts come without any consultation or understanding of the impact they may have, with an arrogance that what the peons may feel about it doesn't matter at all. Seen it all before.

Such pettiness from new management does not inspire confidence.

Really well said.

But oh, we're getting a coffee machine. So that makes up for it.

I agree about the earplugs and disclosure. I'm glad that I'm not in your situation. I wouldn't be ably to listen to NTs talking about their family problems all day.

I can definately relate, and there are a number of things you can do. If you don't want to buy an ipod and speakers I find that a portable heater/aircon produces enough white noise to block out background sounds. Or you could get one of those machines that makes rain noises. Some corporate environments like those. Your boss is probably worried that you guys can't get each other's attention easily with headphones in, so if this change really becomes a problem you could talk to hr and see if you can't work things out and decide what's worse for productivity, lack of communication or you being too stressed to concentrate.

_________________
http://defeatingthedoginthedaytime.blogspot.com/

The trials and tribulations of a girl pretending to be normal

Yeah I can understand that, but in my case regardless of if it was possible to quit or not I would not be able to get any work done with all the different music coming from all the desks so I would not have a job if they made no exceptions. but hopefully things work out for you.

Really appreciate the replies. I know my psych will be on my side for sure so I'll just get her to write a letter to the managers stating I need to be able to use ear phones. I don't mind being more of an outcast.