Music can be such a huge part of people’s everyday lives. Recent research has shown that music has a very positive effect on employees and boosts workplace productivity. The study showed that, from 2,000 people surveyed, ‘over 75% of respondents stated that music was a definite mood enhancer and the best way to boost your eagerness’.
Would you know which genre music to choose for your employees?
The report found that that pop music is the best genre for motivating people, whilst classical music was found to focus the mind, as well as being the best music to use when delivering bad news.
It’s clear from this research that many people believe that having music in the workplace is an effective tool. Have you ever considered if there is value in playing music in your workplace?
Before turning the radio up…
Music may, however, affect an employee’s ability to multitask, or place a strain on their focus. Before you start playing any music, it would be judicious to consider the following points:
- The working environment: is it appropriate to have music playing?
- How will it affect your service users? Will they appreciate background music or will they feel the service they are receiving has decreased because of it?
- Is it background music or is it seen as a disturbance?
- Which genre of music should be played? An employee’s mood may well affect the choice of music and the volume at which it is played.
- Consider undertaking a risk assessment before allowing music in the workplace. The safety element must be considered if employees are using dangerous equipment.
- Do you need a music licence? For music to be played in any public place the answer is almost certainly.
Whilst employees may feel music in their workplace is literally music to their ears, it could also be seen as an instrument that causes disruption to operational requirements.
Whatever your belief, this recent research supports the view that music is an incredibly powerful tool in increasing the efficiency of a workforce.
Anita Manfredi of Employer Solutions – QCS HR Expert Contributor
