Should we be playing music in the office?

18/04/2022

Music has the power to make even the most uninviting workplaces feel more warm and inviting, as well as to spark spirited office debate! One coworker may harken back to the days of “real songs,” while another mocks his antiquated taste.

But what if someone keeps playing the same awful music, or if people start avoiding particular sections of the office because the noise is too distracting?

Is the solution to outright ban it? No one wants to be known as the “music police,” though. Perhaps you could simply pipe in background music to help lighten the mood without disrupting everyone. There’s a good chance that some people will still complain, so is there a better way?

Should You Wear Headphones at Work?

Using headphones is one possibility. No two people are alike, and this includes their musical preferences. You can keep yourself happy and motivated while without disturbing your coworkers by wearing headphones.

However, many managers dislike wearing headphones. Some argue that using headphones at work causes isolation and limits career chances.

We’ve all likely been guilty of turning up the volume on our computer above what is strictly necessary. As a result, coworkers may find it difficult to gain my attention, and I may find it even more difficult to detect when an important conversation is taking place that could benefit from my opinion.

Workplace alone, on the other hand, isn’t always a negative thing. Consider how many times you’ve needed a couple of hours of focused work only to be interrupted by coworkers or other sources of distraction. Headphones have become a universal sign of “I’m busy.” This simple indication is all your coworkers need to know that you’re “in flow” and shouldn’t be bothered.

Is it true that employees work better while they are listening to music?

People may believe that music helps them concentrate, but where is the evidence?

Fortunately for music fans, the facts are on their side. According to studies, music can increase the performance of nine out of ten workers. It has the power to elicit strong emotions, which have been shown to increase employee motivation and engagement. According to the same study, certain tunes can aid to reduce feelings that harm productivity, such as anxiety and tension.

According to some research, we should customise our music choices to the type of task we’re doing. Classical music, for example, is said to boost accuracy when working with statistics, which makes it a suitable choice of music in offices, while dance music might cut proofreading time in half. It might be helpful if the music you play is purely instrumental and without lyrics, as lyrics can sometimes divert peoples concentration depending on the type of work they are completing.

Music at work

The positive effects of music on productivity and morale appear to be indisputable. But the research is silent on how we should implement it in the workplace. It’s difficult to strike a balance between increasing employee productivity and having a room full of uncommunicative, distant individuals.

The trick is to assess your employees’ needs. Is it necessary for there to be a steady flow of ideas amongst coworkers? If that’s the case, headphones might not be a good choice for your workplace. Or do some people find it difficult to concentrate and put their heads down because the noise of an open-plan office is too distracting?

I feel that music has a place in the workplace, and I have no intention of abandoning my playlists. However, I may make an effort to reduce the volume.

Do you prefer a quiet working environment or do you work better with music?

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