Noise at work, How do you cope?

[timwilky]

I have been evicted from my office and moved into an open plan office adjacent to a workshop. The background noise level is so disturbing I cannot concentrate. Add to that the fact there is a door between the office/workshop in permanent use that lets in even more noise. People behind me talking, even shouting/whistling. Photocopiers and office printers rattling away.

How the hell do people cope. I have raised it with the works EHS manager and get the "nobody else has complained". Well I am the first.

The nature of the work I am trying to do is difficult and complex. I find it hard enough to maintain a train of thought without being disturbed by my surroundings. The EHS manager had suggested music. I have tried that and maybe it was my choice (Morrisey), but that was worse then ever. Trying to develop code to do the maths behind required gas ratios in a fuel cell to generate a required electrical output is headache enough. Then with the noise I just want to shout "Shut the **** up, some of us are trying to work".

So come on people what is your coping strategy?

Or am I just being grumpy?

[Bibio]

your being an old grumpy fogey. just do what all the other employees do... nowt but pizz around.

[Shellywoozle]

I use headphones in my office, helps me concentrate and means I can ignore people by pretending I don't hear them...

Originally Posted by timwilky

I just want to shout "Shut the **** up, some of us are trying to work".

There's your answer right there mate. I've done it several times when the guys in our office are making too much noise.

N.B. It will probably mark you out as 'the grumpy b****** in the corner' for all eternity, but that suits me just fine - I no longer give a f*** who I upset in our office because I hate them all anyway!

i turn my hearing aid off.

[dizzyblonde]

I work in a factory where, wearing earplugs is mandatory. Even when I use UltraEars made to fit, the noise is almost unbearable. Theres is so much machinery in there its rediculous.

Count yourself lucky mister. Would trade a nice 'quiet' place!

[Wideboy]

i don't use hearing protection, i use my MP3 player, completely against health and safety in my trade and i couldn't give a damn , i always work faster and concentrate more when listening to music

even when i dont use my mp3 it doesn't bother me, you don't notice machines running ect as you become accustom to the noise

[MisterTommyH]

If I need to concentrate the ipod goes on, the head goes down and the phone is unplugged.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by timwilky

So come on people what is your coping strategy?

Headphones and a selection of decent Audiobooks / music.

Failing that I just ask the person being noisy to maybe keep the volume down a little, if they persist they get told to shut up and I'm not so polite about it the 3rd or 4th time.

Originally Posted by timwilky

Or am I just being grumpy?

Quite possibly