We actually had a hearing impaired tech wearing headphones to listen to
music while working. Needless to say, this did not work out as she was
expected to answer the phone, respond to coworkers etc. just like everyone
else. The supervisors decided it was inappropriate for her to use headphones
in the lab, and to be fair, the rule was applied to all. If the radio is to
be on, all have to agree to the station or it is turned off.

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Gayle Callis [SMTP:uvsgc@montana.edu]
> Sent:	February 6, 2001 11:22 AM
> To:	terij@prlnet.com; histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject:	Re: headphones in Histology
> 
> This message hits home especially in my lab today after a move to another
> area with more people in lab.   Musical preferences vary greatly, and can
> be very annoying/irritating to those who dislike a particular station.  If
> radio music is a source of irritation, this could be detrimental to work
> production eventually since you can't escape a radio playing.  People need
> non stressful work conditions.
>    
> One laboratory supervisor, some years ago, had this problem, people
> fighting over what radio station to listen to, cytotechs sitting a
> microscopes were working in an area close to histo group.  He permitted
> people to work with headphones/their musical choices. Peace was restored
> along with work productivity.
> 
> 1.	Headphones can be used so normal conversation/other sounds get
> through.
> 	Been there, done that!
> 
> 2.	Agree with comments about hearing impaired, are they a safety risk?
> 
> 
> 3.	Plugging into my headphones today to escape a radio constantly
> playing
> the same tunes over and over - I need to ESCAPE this onslaught.    
> 
> One observation about headphone users is a reluctance by others who want
> to
> ask them something.  The askers) tend to backoff, as headphones can
> indicate do not interrupt/privacy boundaries.  Headphone users have to be
> aware this is not the case IF IT IS UNDERSTOOD and VOLUME IS LOW, they
> have
> to respond to people wanting to talk to them. 
> 
> If headphones are ultimately not allowed, then radios should be banned
> also.  I would rather have total silence than music that wears me down, ad
> nauseum.  
> 
> My 25 cents worth, off to my CD/radio player.     
> 
> 
> 
> At 07:23 AM 2/6/01 -0600, you wrote:
> >I agree with this view as well.  The problem with having the radio on is
> it
> >seems everybody likes a different radio station and it's difficult to
> find
> >something everyone can agree on.  As long as everybody understands the
> >"rules" I don't see this to be much of a problem.
> >
> >-Teri Johnson
> >Physicians Reference Laboratory
> >Overland Park, KS
> >
> 
> Gayle Callis
> Veterinary Molecular Biology
> Montana State University - Bozeman
> Bozeman MT 59717-3610
> 
> 406 994-6367
> 404 994-4303 (FAX)
>