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Distracting

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hours a week in this position, I would be able to listen to music while calling clients. I remember years ago when I worked full-time in another office where music was piped in daily, the music never hurt my concentration for my work and I enjoyed the tunes in the background immensely. Unfortunately I now realize that this job is different and I personally need the quiet to perform it successfully.

If I worked in an assembly line job, I could see where background music could make the day go by faster, but what if the music wasn't the style you enjoyed? If country music is like nails on the chalkboard to you, eight hours of the twang and guitar could send you right over the edge. If the music is annoying it will ultimately become a distraction. And what if you do enjoy the music being played? If you are singing along with a favorite song, your focus may not be on the task at hand and could potentially pose a safety issue for you or others in your work area.

A resolved statement that listening to music at work is either calming or distracting is very subjective to the individual making that claim. There seems to be an equal number of supporters for both sides of the issue because it really depends on the personality of the worker and the type of job being performed. Personally, I feel that for me to listen to music as I work, especially when I am on the phone, is not only distracting but also discourteous to the client on the other end of the line.

Learn more about this author, Barb Hopkins.
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