White Noise

Elizabetharess · May 2007

We have an ee who has complained to me about the noise around her office. She has shut her door but is still distracted by the comings and goings outside her office. It is a very busy space and we are going to renovate for more privacy but presently we have meetings outside her office. There is a generally good atmosphere on our side of the building and we talk freely with one another on work topics that are not private. It might entail talking at someone's door not going into their office.
This ee has also told me she is distracted by the hum of her computor and in past jobs she had trouble working in work stations.
Any ideas out there on white noise applications on a shoe string budget? I have looked up and found some CD's advertised and was wondering if they are effective.
Thanks

Wildsporty · May 2007

I don't know about CD's, however, we all have some tapes in a pool that are accessible to all which can be played with the media player. Just turn it on and shrink it down. I have several employees that shut their door, turn on their media player music and do their work. I am in the middle of the Accounting department, they all need to concentrate...this is how they accomplish it.

Shirley

Dutch2 · May 2007

We allow our ee's to have a radio, C/D player, etc. at their work station for this reason. They must keep it turned down low enough so as not to be a bother to others near them.

Paul in Cannon Beach · May 2007

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 05-04-07 AT 09:38AM (CST)[/font][br][br]When I read the threatd title "white noise" I thought it was another thread about Don Imus.

I am wondering whether this person is a chronic complainer. If so, once you deal with the noise issue, what will be the next problem that keeps them from being productive?

Personally, I would have THEM recommend a solution. If its affordable and reasonable, let them try it. If its their idea, its more likely it will "work".

It may also discourage future complaints if they realize you aren't going to solve their problems for them.

Good luck!

Nevada HR · May 2007

Good suggestion, Paul. I was thinking of 99 cent earplugs (Big Smile Emoticon...since I don't know how to insert).

Elizabetharess · May 2007

Thanks and that is what I have done. I pulled the employee into the decision and asked her about ideas. I think in the end, we will have an employee that might complain about everything. Usually in these types of cases accomodating or working with them at the onset exposes their prpensity to complain about most things. Now we have a starting point.
I did find cd's but I also know that some companies go to great lengths to work with white noise and was wondering if anyone out there has worked with acoustics, walls, plants anything.

Paul in Cannon Beach · May 2007

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 05-07-07 AT 09:43AM (CST)[/font][br][br]Try the Bose Quiet Comfort Noise Cancelling headphones here:

[url]http://www.bose.com/controller?event=view_product_page_event&product=qc2_headphones_index[/url]

They are $300 but they come with a money back 30 day trial.

You can use them to either play music or just for reducing that pesky office noise.

If you aren't familiar with Bose, they make superior audio products.

This headphones work well. You can barely hear your employees complaining after you put them on.

ACU Frank · May 2007

Hahahaha! Love it!

Actually, I'm wondering... if she's whining about the hum of her computer, she'll freak out if you add white noise!

>This headphones work well. You can barely hear
>your employees complaining after you put them
>on.

HRQ · May 2007

I think you mentioned this employee has walls and a door. Providing an office with walls and a door should be sufficient for a reasonable person.

I agree that the employee should give her suggestions, and a supervisor can approve/deny. I wouldn't approve anything that I wouldn't want anyone else to have. Imagine the entire office getting to wear headphones just because one person was allowed to.

Brad Forrister · May 2007

If you do end up needing to purchase something, there are several inexpensive white noise generators, including clock radios with a white noise feature. My daughter has one made by Timex.

We once had a proofreader who required white noise for concentration. It always put me to sleep.

I've also heard of more expensive outfits that medical professionals use, especially when they have confidentiality concerns.

And you could always try a cone of silence.

Brad Forrister
VP/Content
M. Lee Smith Publishers

Paul in Cannon Beach · May 2007

Brad, how would you respond to an ee who is complaining that his cubicle partner's white noise machine is putting him to sleep?

I still think "White Noise" was a roller derby star from New Jersey in the mid seventies.

ACU Frank · May 2007

>I still think "White Noise" was a roller derby
>star from New Jersey in the mid seventies.

I would have sworn that was the name of last year's Eminem tour.

joannie · May 2007

For some really interesting "Roller Derby" Names try this site.

[url]http://ask.metafilter.com/20698/Good-roller-derby-names[/url]

Paul in Cannon Beach · May 2007

Nice Jo Ann. You only have 13 posts but you are making them count.

My favorites where "Sandra Day O'Clobber" and "Lucille Ballbreaker".

Can you say "Ballbreaker" on this forum?

joannie · May 2007

Thanks, Paul. I liked Sandra Day O'Clobber also, but I think Smackajawea is my favorite. I'm picturing long dark braids and roller skates with leather fringe on top.

Paul in Cannon Beach · May 2007

Smackajawea! That is totally awesome and kind of offensive too. You are right though. I can picture the same stereotype rolling along sending Eleanor Bruisevelt over the railing.

kcoffey · May 2007

My experience with this issue has not been work related, but personal. I have trouble sleeping, so when my husband gets up in the morning and turns on the shower, or tv in the other room, I have a "White Noise" machine and it works great at drowning out those noises, in order for me to go back to sleep. She must have selective hearing. Hope this helps.

White Noise

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