Is Allowing Music at Work a Good Idea for Our IT Team's Focus and Stress Levels?

Hi!

Ours is a 70-member SME in IT. One of the proposals put forward on the table is to allow associates to carry pocket MP3 players to listen to music they like while at work. I agree that music decreases stress. However, I also believe that it may be distracting in an IT workplace where minds need to work with concentration at all times. Is this a good practice?

Your comments are appreciated and will help us move forward with a quick decision.

Thanks,
Varma

Dear Verma,

In my previous company, we had introduced music while working. It was a great success as we noticed that the efficiency of the employees had increased by 10%.

Regards,
SJ

Dear Joshi,

Thank you for your reply. In your previous company, was there a common music played for everyone, or were associates allowed to bring their own music players?

Thanks,
Varma

There was common music. But personnel were allowed to carry their own Walkmans as well.

SJ

Dear Varma,

It would be advisable if you let employees bring their own player or if they can have some music stored on their PC and listen to it. This is because music can be distracting for some people. Not all employees will appreciate it if you play common music aloud.

Regards,
Seema

I agree with both of them. Music decreases stress. Common music is good, but as Seema said, it might distract someone. So, it can be done like this: if your office is on the same floor, then provide music on a few PCs and tell others to carry a Walkman. If everyone agrees, they can listen to the common music, and if not (for example, if someone has a heavy workload on a specific day, they may not want to listen to music), then they can play their personal music. It's all about mutual understanding. If your office is in different rooms, then provide music on one PC in each room. I suppose this will work. All the best :) :) :)

Hello everyone,

MUSIC is definitely a stress reliever, and as you all know, MUSIC THERAPY is developing to a noticeable extent. Moreover, music can activate the right brain (otherwise dormant), which then supports LEFT brain optimization.

However, there are two issues to be negotiated. In my opinion, music is an individual choice. A particular type of music that someone enjoys could be very irritating to others. So, the following needs to be addressed while defining your internal policies:

- Common music should be avoided, and people may be allowed to carry their own MP3 players.
- A common 'CODE OF CONDUCT' should be put in place so that everyone enjoys this benefit, ensuring it is used in a responsible manner.
- Suitable steps should be taken to assess and measure the general impact on overall employee productivity. This data needs to be monitored and shared with employees on a need-to-know basis.

Just my thoughts. Comments invited.

Regards, Anil

Dear Sender,

Displaying music in the workplace is not going to increase or decrease anybody's efficiency. It is a feeling that it is increasing the efficiency. It is a common practice that if the workload is properly distributed and one is involved with their work, then they do not have time to listen to music. This has also been experienced in my previous company.

Regards,
LK

You cannot consider music as a motivator in isolation. It has to be part of your organizational culture as in Google. It must be carefully thought out and discussed across the organization. Your company's top leadership must buy into these changes as part of your company's policy to create fun at the workplace. I attended a workshop titled "Fun @ the workplace" by Times Group, and it was very helpful in terms of practical tips to make the workplace more productive. Southwest Airlines is another good example of fun at the workplace. "Organizational Behavior" by Stephen Robbins—12th edition is a good resource you can refer to.

Best wishes
anupsoans@gmail.com

While I am a strong believer in music as a tool for distressing, I am not sure if carrying a personal player or playing it on a PC would be a good idea for the following reasons.

1) Since it's an IT company, data/project security will be an issue, and we would not want people walking in with USB port music players and using them for taking data.

2) Music can also be a tool for sexual/mental harassment, especially for the fairer sex. Lewd music can be played loudly, making them uncomfortable.

3) The idea of somebody not liking the music/loud music has already been covered by someone else. I would like to add that while nice soothing music rests your mind, songs like Hindi songs with lyrics engage you, therefore making you want to sing/hum along, taking your mind off work or affecting concentration.

I believe the music should be centrally controlled by a centralized PA/Deck with speakers fixed at various locations. Moreover, the type of music should be soothing instrumental, both Western and Indian classical, as seen in many 5-star hotels. Soft classical music is soothing to the ears yet not disturbing to the people around.

Hi,

Carrying an MP3 player may not be a bad idea, but not all the time, as it might even reduce conversation with peers.

Mahalakshmi.K

Dear Varma,

I had read your message. As you said, music can distract from work (with concentration). I partially agree with your statement. When I visited Whirlpool India Ltd. during my college days on an industrial tour in Puducherry, we discovered that they used to play music in the two units in the manufacturing plant. When asked about it, they mentioned that it helped to destress the employees and make them comfortable. They also mentioned that the music played was silent without any lyrics. They used to play this music only from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm after lunch.

So, consider playing only silent music that does not distract the employees from their work. Play common music.

With regards,
Valbooj

Dear Varma,

Instead of allowing your employees to carry their own musical instruments, you can design your workplace to provide mild music from an FM or DVD player. This background music will not distract their concentration and can serve as a motivating factor.

Truly Yours,
Kumar H. P

I have read that it increases productivity, but I do not know how.

My experience is when I was young, I used to listen to music when I worked. But as I grew older, I never wanted to listen to music while working. However, as a form of relaxation, it helps. Even today, I see youngsters wanting to listen as they work, either at home or in the office.

Siva

Hi Friends,

Allowing music to play in the office is very good, but certain rules need to be followed. For example, only soft music should be played at a very low volume so that it does not disturb others.

Thanks,
Pallavi.

My suggestion for this would be, "Music should be allowed, but iPods and MP3 players are also data storage devices. If your company deals with any confidential data, do not encourage such devices. Playing music on the PCs is a great idea. Additionally, work can be done more effectively while listening to music."

I agree with what Kumar had said. Instead of allowing employees to play music, we should provide a music player box in the workplace attached to the ceilings, side walls, or the cabins, controlled by HR. The music should be silent, common to all, with a frequency of not more than 23Hz.

With regards,
Valbooj