Leaving radio on in the shop?

[CARMandP]

I was talking a few months ago to an old-timer who has been building race engines for 50 plus years and he mentioned something about never turning his radio off in the shop. I am wondering if anyone has ever heard the significance or reason behind this? You could bearly hear the radio was on but thought it was interesting.

[Gonzo]

I guess I fall under the category of "Old Timer" now... My shop radio has never been shut off since I opened my shop some 28 years ago. Several years ago the one channel went out so I wired all the speakers to the same channel. But, it's on all the time in the background.

 

Why? I don't know, it's just is...........

 

 

 

I was talking a few months ago to an old-timer who has been building race engines for 50 plus years and he mentioned something about never turning his radio off in the shop. I am wondering if anyone has ever heard the significance or reason behind this? You could bearly hear the radio was on but thought it was interesting.

[DUFRESNES]

I guess I fall under the category of "Old Timer" now... My shop radio has never been shut off since I opened my shop some 28 years ago. Several years ago the one channel went out so I wired all the speakers to the same channel. But, it's on all the time in the background.

 

Why? I don't know, it's just is...........

[DUFRESNES]

I don't know if it is right or not. Our Techs have their radios going all the time. They don't talk to customers, usually. If we have to take a customer back to see something on their car, the techs are really good about turning down or off their radios. If it makes them happy and work better, I don't care. The cell phones, texting, craigs list, facebook etc do drive me crazy. We try to control it, but I don't see how you can control it 100%.

[GeeZ]

I don't know if it is right or not. Our Techs have their radios going all the time. They don't talk to customers, usually. If we have to take a customer back to see something on their car, the techs are really good about turning down or off their radios. If it makes them happy and work better, I don't care. The cell phones, texting, craigs list, facebook etc do drive me crazy. We try to control it, but I don't see how you can control it 100%.

 

As long as they are not playing rap or worse "gansta" rap, it is ok with me.

[CARMandP]

We have country on the radio here (which I don't really care for but don't mind) It could be worse like was mentioned.

[Gonzo]

Mine is on a mix station, that way nobody complains.... but, after a while I gotta change the station... they keep playing the same songs over and over and over..... LOL

 

We have country on the radio here (which I don't really care for but don't mind) It could be worse like was mentioned.

[Joe Marconi]

The radio is always on, the techs take turns with different stations. It works, some of the music I don't care for, but that's how it goes.

[TheTrustedMechanic]

I was talking a few months ago to an old-timer who has been building race engines for 50 plus years and he mentioned something about never turning his radio off in the shop. I am wondering if anyone has ever heard the significance or reason behind this? You could bearly hear the radio was on but thought it was interesting.

 

I'm a one man shop right now and usually have the radio on. On occasion I'll turn it off just for the peace and quiet, or so I can inspect for a noise or something similar. When I worked at other shops some had NO RADIO policies, others had, "It's OK if nobody complains," policies. The no radio shops were strictly because the foreman didn't like that, "Junk you kids listen too." I guess since it wasn't a wax cylinder Victrola it was too new-fangled. One shop was no radio in the new shop, a fire destroyed the first building and everything in it including a '73 Jensen Intercerptor), although the owner's kid could have his radio. This guy was a joke, I called him "master mechanic" because he could do only brakes and then only on cars for a used car lot because he had no certifications. Enough of the rant though, I've only ever heard one good excuse for no radios, and that's when the techs in the shop get into "radio wars" where each one tries to outdo each other with volume. Then it's a destructive environment.

[tireandautotoronto]

We used to blare the music at our shop, but now we don't have it so loud. I think everyone can think straighter with the music quieter. 

[JimO]

I allow the radio to be on but it has to be a music station. Music, when played at a respectable volume does not hinder productivity as far as I can tell. Talk radio on the other hand reduces productivity since a tech or worse yet multiple techs will pause and limit noisy activity to be able to hear the discussion on the talk show. Additional time is then wasted when the techs render their opinion on the subject at hand, all work stops for a verbal review, not good. Another problem is that some talk radio station topics or hosts can be rather questionable and often step over the line considering anyone could be listening. On nice days with all of the doors open this questionable content can be a problem since customers, in particular women and young children, are within ear shot. Everyone in the shop is similar in age so the music station selected is never an issue. My one tech started changing the station to classical music after all the jobs are done and the shop is shut down and quiet. I have never liked classical music but when played in the background at the end of a busy day it seems to have a subtle calming effect. I never thought I would say that.

[HPINAZ]

An "old timer" told me he leaves it on to scare away potential break ins when the shop is closed. The thought process is the would be thief would here the radio and think someone is still inside. 

[Martin]

On 3/4/2011 at 6:56 AM, CARMandP said:

I was talking a few months ago to an old-timer who has been building race engines for 50 plus years and he mentioned something about never turning his radio off in the shop. I am wondering if anyone has ever heard the significance or reason behind this? You could bearly hear the radio was on but thought it was interesting.

Way back then the believe was that the radio internals get hot, when switched off it will form condensation and eventually blew the caps & resistors leaving the radio useless.

My radio in the shop has been on for the past 24 years non stop.

 

[Silver Star]

Change of direction on this topic... EARBUDS! What are the thoughts on this? I have techs that you can walk up behind and scare because they are so focused in on the earbuds especially with noise cancelling. I can understand new technology and now we wont have radio station battles but its hitting a point I see lack of focus and am concerned on safety. How are you all dealing with this or have you even started to see the negative trends I'm noticing?

[Joe Marconi]

5 hours ago, Silver Star said:

Change of direction on this topic... EARBUDS! What are the thoughts on this? I have techs that you can walk up behind and scare because they are so focused in on the earbuds especially with noise cancelling. I can understand new technology and now we wont have radio station battles but its hitting a point I see lack of focus and am concerned on safety. How are you all dealing with this or have you even started to see the negative trends I'm noticing?

Not a fan of earbuds. Too many hazards in the shop, you need all your senses. Plus once those earbuds are in, the person is in their own world. The wrong message in my opinion. 

If employees are overconcerned about background music, and the shop cannot come up with a compromise, that alone is an issue. 

[JimO]

Ear buds should never be allowed. The customer and in turn the shop owner is paying techs for their undivided attention. Music that everyone in the shop can agree on or no radio and definitely no ear buds. 

[Transmission Repair]

My first time the topic of a radio/music came up was over 30 years ago and I was an employee.  Most transmission shops have a "building room" and transmissions aren't built in the open shop.  I have always preferred to NOT HAVE any radio/music when building transmissions.  To me, it's too distracting.  I prefer total silence.  The only noise I would hear when building transmissions was only the sound of blowing parts dry or the parts washer running.  I've always been that way.

Ever since I became self-employed, I let the employees work it out between themselves.  It has never been a problem that I'm aware of.  I've never seen the use of earbuds or headphones by any employee.  Maybe I'm just lucky.  What HAS been a problem is when an employee performs a road test, they sometimes change the customer's radio station to their own and/or turn the volume up so loud, it blasts the customer's eardrums.  I had to institute a "don't mess with the customer's radio" policy.  It's bad enough when they change all the customers' mirrors.

Over the years, I finally got smart and included my radio/mirrors policy in the employee manual.

[Joe Marconi]

12 hours ago, Transmission Repair said:

My first time the topic of a radio/music came up was over 30 years ago and I was an employee.  Most transmission shops have a "building room" and transmissions aren't built in the open shop.  I have always preferred to NOT HAVE any radio/music when building transmissions.  To me, it's too distracting.  I prefer total silence.  The only noise I would hear when building transmissions was only the sound of blowing parts dry or the parts washer running.  I've always been that way.

Ever since I became self-employed, I let the employees work it out between themselves.  It has never been a problem that I'm aware of.  I've never seen the use of earbuds or headphones by any employee.  Maybe I'm just lucky.  What HAS been a problem is when an employee performs a road test, they sometimes change the customer's radio station to their own and/or turn the volume up so loud, it blasts the customer's eardrums.  I had to institute a "don't mess with the customer's radio" policy.  It's bad enough when they change all the customers' mirrors.

Over the years, I finally got smart and included my radio/mirrors policy in the employee manual.

You make a lot of sense, and I agree!

[Silver Star]

Thanks for the response guys, my thoughts are the safety issue alone is a problem. I had not thought of the undivided attention is what I'm paying for but that's very true, I want all senses working at solving issues with customers cars. Thanks again for the input I appreciate the insight!

[TheTrustedMechanic]

13 hours ago, Transmission Repair said:

My first time the topic of a radio/music came up was over 30 years ago and I was an employee.  Most transmission shops have a "building room" and transmissions aren't built in the open shop.  I have always preferred to NOT HAVE any radio/music when building transmissions.  To me, it's too distracting.  I prefer total silence.  The only noise I would hear when building transmissions was only the sound of blowing parts dry or the parts washer running.  I've always been that way.

Ever since I became self-employed, I let the employees work it out between themselves.  It has never been a problem that I'm aware of.  I've never seen the use of earbuds or headphones by any employee.  Maybe I'm just lucky.  What HAS been a problem is when an employee performs a road test, they sometimes change the customer's radio station to their own and/or turn the volume up so loud, it blasts the customer's eardrums.  I had to institute a "don't mess with the customer's radio" policy.  It's bad enough when they change all the customers' mirrors.

Over the years, I finally got smart and included my radio/mirrors policy in the employee manual.

I was taught when I was first starting out in this business, DO NOT adjust the mirrors, the seat or the radio/climate control unless you absolutely have to. Such as, me being 6 foot tall and having customers whose seat is so close to the dashboard that my leg simply does not fit between the seat and dash. Or, if you have to turn off the radio/fan in order to hear a noise. And, of course if it is imperative for you to adjust the mirrors so you can see in the mirrors wile driving. I would impose and enforce the same with employees. I've gotten pretty good at driving and moving to see out of the mirrors when driving customers' vehicles.

[TheTrustedMechanic]

A radio on in the background can be "tuned out" and isn't front and center in the techs' minds. But the earbuds are specifically for their attention and will interfere with their doing their jobs safely. Your techs may complain and resist, but at the end of the day, you are the one who pays for any injuries or damage (including through your insurance) because their attention was not fully on the job you are paying them for.

 

Regarding cellphones and facebook/ebay/craigslist/etc. NO! Just simply NO! If they need to make a phone call or take a phone call for an emergency or an urgency then it should be on the shop phone. Too many distractions or opportunities for malfeasance if they are allowed to "play on their phones."  Some of those emergencies or urgencies they have may be personal matters they have to attend to, such as doctor's appointments or a plumber for the leaking drain pipe or a roofer, kids' schools or daycare, etc. that can only be handled during business hours and not during their lunch. Oh, and ABSOLUTELY NO CELLPHONES ON TEST DRIVES unless it's been approved first (you know those situations when there is a possibility that they may need to call for a tow).

[Joe Marconi]

33 minutes ago, TheTrustedMechanic said:

A radio on in the background can be "tuned out" and isn't front and center in the techs' minds. But the earbuds are specifically for their attention and will interfere with their doing their jobs safely. Your techs may complain and resist, but at the end of the day, you are the one who pays for any injuries or damage (including through your insurance) because their attention was not fully on the job you are paying them for.

 

Regarding cellphones and facebook/ebay/craigslist/etc. NO! Just simply NO! If they need to make a phone call or take a phone call for an emergency or an urgency then it should be on the shop phone. Too many distractions or opportunities for malfeasance if they are allowed to "play on their phones."  Some of those emergencies or urgencies they have may be personal matters they have to attend to, such as doctor's appointments or a plumber for the leaking drain pipe or a roofer, kids' schools or daycare, etc. that can only be handled during business hours and not during their lunch. Oh, and ABSOLUTELY NO CELLPHONES ON TEST DRIVES unless it's been approved first (you know those situations when there is a possibility that they may need to call for a tow).

Great points, and I agree. Too many things can go wrong in our business. We need to protect everyone involved.