Should I allow music at workplace?

[nancy_r]

Dear all,

Here is a confusion, I wanted to increase the productivity of my employees. I want them to feel that the environment is good and they can chill out during work still be sincere at work.

Do you think allowing them to play a soft music at low volume will help to bring homely and friendly environment?

Do you have any other suggestions... please share...

 

[billie1]

I would say no, music can be distracting.

 

[oldoakey]

Bear in mind that you will need a PRS music licence which costs depending on the area the music will be played. Mine cost about £130 per year.

 

[dedwardp]

We used to have an ipod dock at work with the music on in the background - never saw a problem with it and it's nice to be able to nod along whilst getting on with whatever you're doing.

People aren't stupid either, if they needed the phone or anything like that then they'll turn it off, too.

 

[BustersDogs]

I worked at a company where we could play music with headphones, and it was a good way of getting on with work without constant interruptions, or being distracted by other people's conversations. It was also seen as a sign that someone wanted to get on with something so we didn't bother them unless it was important, which helped us keep 'idle' office matters to a minimum too.

 

[blackout]

I worked at a company where we could play music with headphones, and it was a good way of getting on with work without constant interruptions, or being distracted by other people's conversations. It was also seen as a sign that someone wanted to get on with something so we didn't bother them unless it was important, which helped us keep 'idle' office matters to a minimum too.

similar to where I work, some of the developers say it helps them concentrate and focus on their work, one of the most technical people wears earphones that clip to the ear so as to not totally block out everything else.
I wear industrial ear defenders sometimes so I can work in complete silence, sometimes its the only way to focus enough to get some jobs done, I usually put them on when I'm struggling to get into something.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

I assume you are in the UK? If so then read this.

http://www.morethanbusiness.com/Knowledge-Centre/Features/music-in-the-place/music-in-the-workplace

 

[nancy_r]

do we need a license even if we play a radio? I think it's free of charge.

And does anyone has any other ideas to make employee feel great while working.. they should feel relax... after your suggestions I am going to give a try to the music.

I will share here how it goes..

Also please share more ideas that can keep the employee to feel better and relaxed while working...

 

[Esk247]

do we need a license even if we play a radio? I think it's free of charge.

It's not free! You need a license. it counts as a public broadcast unless you're listening to it in your own home.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

nancy - are you even in the UK?

 

[I Love Spreadsheets]

As said above, you will need a license for the public side of things (even though its just an office) as well as the normal tv/radio license.

I used to work for a large call centre that had over 1000 call handlers and every team had its own radio. Some had the radio on while they were taking calls and some opted out.

We were worried what customers would think if they could hear a radio on in the background so we did several studies. In the majority of cases, the customers that could hear the radio in the background perceived us to be a smaller, friendlier and more "hands on" type business than those that didnt hear the radio in the background - they were more inclined to think they were speaking to a less human business all together.

The only problem we had with the radios is where teams were selecting different radio channels and there were areas of the office where you could hear both at the same time.

 

[Matt1959]

the big thing about radios at work is - volume!!!! Whatever station you pick they'll be people that'll hate whats playing. Playing music at a low level can be pleasant is as background, playing loud is just damn intrusive....

but on balance, I'd say music at work is a positive. Shops etc that are silent just seem to lack atmosphere IMO....

 

[I Love Spreadsheets]

We got around the choice of music problem by allowing people to bring CD's in and either setting up slots for people to play their tastes in music or we awarded slots based on performance.

Another thing the company I worked for encouraged was interacting with the local radio stations by entering radio competitions and phone ins. As long as the company got a mention they were happy. (The company was keen to show they were a local company, supporting the local community etc and before twitter etc this was an ideal way of doing it)

 

[Esk247]

Aslong as you're not playing the music in the accounts department it will be fine.


Music + Big Numbers = Stress Head

 

[cmcp]

I'm a big fan of music, but when I work in offices it can grate on me. I do listen to music now and again, but it'll be through my headphones.

If you play it to the office no one has a choice but to put up with it. I'd say if it's in the office, don't play music. (I've been in "cool" offices with "hip" playlists, but as a developer it's still distracting).

 

[Davek0974]

I have two sides to my job, a physical, active one and a desk based one. I can't concentrate on desk work with music on, but I am most productive when in an active role when listening to music I like.

Yes, you need a PRS license for radio and I believe a PRS & PPL license for recorded music, costs vary by hours listened and staff numbers etc.

I do think a silent workplace is a miserable one.

 

[silklink]

You will need at least a Performing Rights Society licence for TV/Radio and CD - or any other form of playing music in a public environment (MP3, etc.). By public I mean, if you put a radio on and you and one or work colleagues/customers can hear it, it is public.

If your staff come with their own music and play it through their own headphones, then this is private - no licence

http://www.prsformusic.com/users/bu...ficesandfactories/Pages/officesfactories.aspx

There is another licensing authority (can't recall the name) and it is said that you should get a licence from them as well. However, I don't think that their licence rules can be enforced by law. I've seen a few articles which support this view. Also I don't like the fact that their prices are not transparent like with the PRS. You have to email them and tell them some details about your business and then they will get back to you with your charges. No thanks

 

[cmcp]

You will need at least a Performing Rights Society licence for TV/Radio and CD - or any other form of playing music in a public environment (MP3, etc.). By public I mean, if you put a radio on and you and one or work colleagues/customers can hear it, it is public.

It's important to note the difference, PRS don't own music, they only represent the members. If the song's on the radio then they'll be PRS members, but there are plenty musicians out there happy to have their music played at no cost.

 

[poundcoin]

When I had my shop we used to have both licences PRS and PPL and both seemed to be enforceable .
For a 400 sq.ft shop with 3 employees we used to pay over £100 for each per year .
Couldn't prove it but I expect they share databases so if you have a licence from one , you no doubt get contacted by the other .


From the PPL website
Getting the right licence is a legal requirement.

If you play recorded music or music videos in public, or broadcast them (or copy them in order to do so) in the UK, you will be infringing copyright unless you are appropriately licensed by PPL.

This link will explain why you need both

http://www.jisclegal.ac.uk/ManageCo...ts-halls-of-residence-What-about-offices.aspx

 

[samuelsun]

Dear all,

Here is a confusion, I wanted to increase the productivity of my employees. I want them to feel that the environment is good and they can chill out during work still be sincere at work.

Do you think allowing them to play a soft music at low volume will help to bring homely and friendly environment?

Do you have any other suggestions... please share...

i have another suggestion you should have to give them a break of 1 hour minimum they can chilled out in this time fully ...
--------------------------
Samuel Sun

 

[KateCB]

Thats what we call a lumch hour in the UK sammy, so they get that anyway......!

 

[jhardy2008]

Yes.. music create better environment for work. Allow slow music only

 

[xiaojianxiaojian]

Yes, it definitly will help.
I used to be employee for an Australian, and my boss allow us to play music in the office. It won't effect our working efficiency, and on the oppsite, playing music help me more concentrate on work, on my thoughts.

 

[Davek0974]

Yes.. music create better environment for work. Allow slow music only

Depends on the task at hand.

Playing slow music in a factory / production environment will slow output down markedly. People tend to follow the beat or rythm of the music, its well known.

Upbeat music (not garage/acid and all that junk) will increase output every time.

 

[td2011]

I don't find music destructing at all, I find silence too intense. I think you should just try it with your staff, i'm sure they'd appreciate it.

 

[justinshi]

It depends on what kind of work you do, what kind of environment you're in. I was just thinking is there a necessary to let your employees feel much relaxed at work anyway? work is work!
But maybe work that need imagination like designing, art, would be exceptional.

 

[Jet Virtual]

I worked at a company where we could play music with headphones, and it was a good way of getting on with work without constant interruptions, or being distracted by other people's conversations. It was also seen as a sign that someone wanted to get on with something so we didn't bother them unless it was important, which helped us keep 'idle' office matters to a minimum too.

I agree with this. It's a bit of a cliche, but when I really need to concentrate on something, I play Mozart on my headphones. Hey, it works!

At the end of the day, everyone is different. What works for one person may not work for the next. You could always experiment, one week with music, one without, and see how it affects your staff's output.