Whether they're attached to an iPod, the new Zune or a computer, headphones have become a new staple of office life. Employees are working their day away with music, news or podcasts streaming into their ears.

But is it OK to wear headphones when you're on the clock, or should you tough out your shift without tunes?

"Some people say, 'I put on the headphones. I have a monotonous job and that keeps me entertained or more stimulated and therefore I'm more productive. It blocks out all the distractions and background noise and allows me to focus more,'" says Mel Fugate, an assistant professor at the Cox School Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. "But the argument on the other side is, well, if you're sitting there listening to music, is that impeding your workflow or your productivity?"

Creative Director Pam Esty says she's always wearing headphones to listen to music and the radio in her small office in Lexington, Mass., where she designs books for young girls.

"It keeps me from being distracted," Esty says. "It's the type of work I need to concentrate on what I'm doing. It's so creative. I listen to music to get me going."

But is there a chance that wearing headphones could slow down your career climb? Maybe. Maybe not, Fugate says. For one thing, technology is expanding to all parts of our lives, including work.

Esty says the headphones don't bother her coworkers, and she can hear her phone if it rings. She can then tune out whatever she's listening to — favorites like The Roots and The Decemberists — to interact with others.

"There's something very comforting about earphones," she says "I don't turn up the music too loud either. I'm careful about that."

But also consider that in some workplaces, wearing headphones might be an issue, especially if your coworkers think they can't communicate with you.

One example that employees often follow: their manager.

"If your manager was plugged into an iPod, they certainly would feel no fear or no shame about wearing headphones themselves," Fugate says. "That essentially sanctions it."

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SURVEY

The folks at Spherion Corp., a recruiting and staffing company in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., wanted numbers on this trend. So they had Harris Interactive conduct a survey of 1,613 workers to find out how many were wearing headphones during work and why. (The margin of sampling error could not be calculated.)

Some of the results:

— 32 percent of employees listen to music while working.

— 48 percent from ages 25 to 29 said they listen to music during work.

— 90 percent from ages 18 to 24, and 89 percent from ages 30 to 39 said being able to listen to music during work made them more satisfied with their jobs and more productive.

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DO'S AND DON'TS

Nancy Halverson, Spherion's vice president of talent management, says employees should consider a few things before they plug the headphones in:

1. Ask you supervisor if it's OK. Your supervisor may have different perceptions about how that device will affect you.

2. Keep the volume down so you can be aware if someone is approaching you or trying to get your attention.

3. Be aware about how that music will influence your work. Don't assume it will keep you focused. Understand what your work priorities are and understand how that music may influence them positively or negatively.

4. Keep the device visible, so if someone approaches you they can see it.

5. Put an ear bud in just one ear, not both. It allows you to pick up motion and activity around you.

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Caryn Rousseau is an asap reporter, based in Kansas City, Mo.

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