Job Discussion Forums

[Glenski]

[jdl]

Sweetsee,

In your post you said 'headphones were allowed in our staff room until today'. Who banned them? What was the reason/rationale given?

[Sweetsee]

They were banned by the school for no stated reason. Later, they said lunch time was okay.

[parrothead]

I don't think your school is being unreasonable. Just picture an entire office full of teachers and staff with headphones on, all shut off from one another. Wearing headphones creates problems for those who are not wearing them. It's harder for them to get your attention. I'd love to block out a coworker or two, but if the phone rings, I have a schedule change, or heaven forbid there is an emergency, it causes grief for that person who has to physically notify me.

[jdl]

When headphones were banned by the school was it done by the principal/owner/staff/school board? At a meeting? In a memo/poster/notice/announcement/word of mouth? Did anyone ask for clarification? Who is the "they" you mention as the banning authority? As mentioned by several on this board the circumstances vary from school to school so the details tend to be somewhat important.
If there was no official explanation for this action what is your speculation?

[Sweetsee]

Word came via inter-departmental email. It said that the former Native/Japanese liaison said the school had banned them. I assume wearing headphones does not fit the mold. Also, our department was moved into the general staff room from this year. We are expected to behave the same as our full time counterparts.

[jdl]

Was this email 'official' from admin stating that headphones were banned or an non directive email merely quoting the 'former liason person'

If the email was a directive from administration:

1. Was there a policy in place prior to this announcement?
2. Was there a section of the school not adhering to the policy in place and this email a means of reiterating existing policy?
3. If it is a new policy why do you believe it has been initiated? It is a response to what? Was it directed to staff and students or staff alone? What do you believe prompted this policy statement?

The reasoning is not apparent yet.

If the email was not a directive from admin but rather a reporting of something the former liason person said why was it given credence?

[seklarwia]

Maybe sweetsee doesn't know anymore than she has already said. From what she has said, I'd assume that there probably was a rule against that wasn't enforced in her former staffroom but is in the general staffroom.

Considering using headphones is not really professional anyway, I doubt anyone would have asked for any reasoning (and I don't advice that you should go and start confronting people demanding answers). If it was banned, it was banned and asking unncessary could just cause issues.

Besides, they have said that at lunchtime is okay. I think they are being pretty reasonable there.

[Sweetsee]

Thank you, Seklarwia, well put. And I may as well say it now before history repeats itself here by saying I am a he. Also, I am buried under with work and will not be able to respond further at this time. At the same time, the previous post pretty much sums things up. Thanks again, Seklarwia.
Enjoy,
s

[BobbyBan]

This seems like a bit of a bizarre rule if what you mean is that "headphones" of all kinds are completely banned during lesson times. I use headphones to cue tapes for my lessons and also to listen to recorded material while wearing headphones for the express purpose of not interfering with other teachers.

If we received a ban on "headphones" because some teachers were listening to their Ipods at their desks or in the hallways then it would make a certain amount of sense, but if that were the case then why wouldn't they ban listening to music during worktime instead of potentially useful devices?

[Sweetsee]

Using them for prep is okay. I think one of us wore them a lot and sat across from Ms. Fun who sits in front of Mr. Fun, the boss. Remember that an expression of severity is expected at all times.

[GreenCardigan]

Sweetsee,

I used to use headphones in the staffroom to prep audio tapes. The school never had a problem with it.

If they think you're listening to music, or it's something non-work related, they might crack down on you. Certainly, if you've been bee-bobbin to the rhythym of the music, sitting there in your chair, then I wouldn't be surprised that they banned headphones.

I always used to leave the staff-room and head down to the library where I could mark papers in peace.

Just an idea.

[starteacher]

You are living in their country, yes that's the way it is. Back home you can gripe and grumble but in another country don't waste your time thinking this is your home.

A lot of things in Japan are done indirectly. You may be surprised that maybe a lot of other teachers, Japanese, may have already held meeting regarding this notice. The idea of consensus did not just come out of the blue in Japan, it has been entrenched in the culture. In Japan, it is called "saving face" (and other parts of Asia do this too), and indirect is favoured to direct action towards anyone or anything.

Most westerners have trouble with this way of living. Whilst you are moaning about no headphones, it is possible a bunch of other locals are probably doing it too, but they work as a team and they accept the overall verdict. No face is therefore lost or gained. If you reject what the final decision is, you reject the consensus.

So be careful and always accept the notices and warnings given. Usually a lot of time is given to them, as well as meticulous detail. Why is it that teachers work so late or even weekends when you are sunning yourself on the beach ?

So when a notice has come up and you don't know why, be assured that a lot of thought has gone into it, much consideration has been taken from parties concerned; if you were not at the meeting, then that is because you are simply a part-time guest at the school and not a permanent fixture of the education system (which is what you are so get used to that) so you have no vote.

The best way around this is to approach the vice principal or whoever you usually contact at school for their advice on how to use headphones, and you may be surprised how accomodating they are. Be willing to listen to their advice without much protest. Don't do anything behind their backs, things do get noticed like sneaking here and there (you are not dealing with a bunch of kids you know, teachers are respectable in Japan), and before you know it you are not welcome for another term there. Ok, they may even say "No" straight out. Then after a few weeks, you could find someone knocking at your desk and say "Its OK to use them".

[Cool Teacher]

[Sweetsee]

Who are you talking to? I never said anything. I could care less about headphones. It's right up there with the cool biz thing.