Listening to Music at Work: Pros and Cons

1.      Boost to Productivity and Focus

Some types of music, particularly classical or binaural beats, are thought to help improve concentration and task performance. Some employees use this type of music to drown out background noise, especially in open-plan offices where distractions are common.

Some employees find that music in general can help to energise them or boost their motivation to complete complex tasks. This in turn can help them be more productive and less inclined to get distracted from their work.

Neurodivergent employees can sometimes benefit from using noise-cancelling headphones playing brown, white, or pink noise to assist them with their executive function, as well as focus and reduce the likelihood of experiencing sensory overload, which is common in busy office spaces.

2.      Improves Well-Being at Work

Work can be a busy and stressful place. There are many ways that employees can manage their stress, and employers certainly have a duty to ensure they protect the well-being of their workforce.

Music can have a positive impact on workplace stress levels. Music will not be appropriate for all roles and workplaces, but even if employees are able to listen to music during their breaks or while working on certain tasks, this may go some way to reducing stress levels.

3.      Boosts Creativity

For employees in creative roles, music can be an essential tool to inspire fresh ideas. Certain music genres can stimulate innovative thinking and are already commonplace in creative industries, such as design, advertising, and media.

4.      Boosts Morale

Tastes will vary, but generally, we all love music, and a happy workplace is one that both employers and employees strive for.

Music isn’t going to wipe away all the common workplace gripes, but it can boost mood, promote better collaboration between colleagues by boosting team spirit, and generally create a more enjoyable atmosphere.

1.      Song Lyrics

Some song lyrics can contain references that are not appropriate in an office environment, such as racist, misogynistic, or homophobic language.

Employers have a responsibility to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination.

Unless employers are prepared to closely monitor the music that is played, they could be falling foul of their legal obligations and find themselves on the receiving end of costly tribunal claims—even though the offensive language has not come from anyone employed by the company.

2.      Neurodivergent Employees and Noise Management

We have seen that the use of music can assist neurodivergent employees, but it can also cause the opposite effect. It’s important to note that employers have a legal duty to provide a safe working environment.

No workplace is silent, and offices will have background noise such as printers, people talking, and phones ringing, but employers who have neurodivergent individuals working for them should consider the impact background music could have on individuals who have neurological differences such as autism or ADHD.

For some neurodiverse individuals, sensory sensitivity to certain types of noise, including music (or their colleagues tapping and humming along to music), may significantly impact their cognitive function and may induce considerable stress and anxiety.

Employers should assess any risks associated with noise at work and weigh up very carefully the needs of all their employees, otherwise, they risk losing valuable talent from their organisation and could fall on the wrong side of their legal obligations under the Equality Act.

3.      Professionalism and Company Image

Background music could convey a negative impression to customers or prospective clients who may visit your premises and those who interact with your business over the phone or video conferencing.

If an employee is handling a sensitive call, for example, they may be discussing a client complaint, background music, or indeed any excessive background noise could make the situation worse and convey an amateurish impression.

If a customer or visitor were to hear inappropriate song lyrics, this could negatively impact your reputation and result in lost business.

4.      Productivity and Safety

Music at work can boost morale and even improve productivity, but conversely, the opposite can also be true.

Employees completing tasks that require great focus and attention to detail may become distracted by music, and where people are distracted, they tend to be less productive.

There is also the possibility that music that is too loud or played through headphones could cause staff to miss safety warnings such as fire alarms instructing them to evacuate the premises.

Employers must adhere to health and safety legislation, and music at work should be avoided if it presents any risk.

5.      Disputes and General Annoyance

You can choose your friends but not your colleagues. A workplace is already a hotbed of potential disputes, with individuals thrown together who may not necessarily form connections outside the work environment, so the chances of those people all having the same taste in music are slim.

Employers often allow employees to play music at work to boost morale; after all, everyone wants a happy workforce.

But by allowing music to be played in the office, employers should also consider whether they want to introduce the potential for additional employee disputes and lose valuable time investigating workplace grievances arising out of arguments about song or radio station choices.

Remember! Playing music in a workplace setting, especially if it is audible to others, may require a music license. Businesses must comply with these regulations to avoid legal penalties.

Get Expert Advice

There is a clear case for and against music at work. However, to avoid messy claims or unnecessary disputes, employers should seek out the views of their workforce to ensure music will not negatively impact some workers and ensure the music is workplace appropriate.

Employers could also reach a compromise and perhaps restrict its use to break times, break areas or allow staff to use headphones where it is safe to do so.

For advice on managing music at work and all your other HR needs, contact us today.