KEY POINTS:
Sky News recently reported that a Colorado judge has decided to punish noisy people by forcing them to listen to Barry Manilow songs. Judge Paul Sacco introduced the new sentence after becoming fed up dealing with repeat offenders.
People who violate noise laws - by repeatedly playing music too loudly or disturbing neighbours with band practice - were required to listen to the Judge's choice of music at high volume for an hour. The selection also includes a theme from a children's TV show.
Perhaps this could be applied in the workplace - for example, to that colleague who plays music through their PC's speakers, or who constantly has headphones on but the music is so noisy everyone can hear it. Or the person who gossips loudly in the corridor and disrupts everybody else. Rather than a telling off or a warning, why not Barry? Or the theme song from the Teletubbies or Coronation Street? The possibilities are endless.
Cruel and unusual punishment? Maybe, but at least it would fit the crime!
Greg Cain
Greg Cain is an employment lawyer at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts.
Photo: Barry Manilow
