Listening to music in the office is a topic which appears to be dividing the UK’s workforce.
Some claim it boosts productivity and creates a more ‘fun’ atmosphere, while others say it is a distraction.
But new research has now revealed more than half of Britons have sided with the music-playing side.
The research by Fora – a provider of premium and flexible working spaces – revealed that some 53 per cent of Brits enjoy listening to songs and music whilst they work.
Two-thirds (66 per cent) of these say it creates a more fun work environment and over half (53 per cent) feel it helps with productivity and enjoy having the background noise.
Office-goers who enjoy listening to music whilst they work say it improves productivity and creates a more ‘fun’ atmosphere (stock image)
The research by Fora – a provider of premium and flexible working spaces – revealed that some 53 per cent of Brits enjoy listening to songs and music whilst they work (stock image)
But, those who dislike it say it can too much of a ‘distraction’ – and many now feel they can’t go up and speak to someone in the office if they’ve got headphones on (stock image)
But this opinion is not shared by all.
Some 45 per cent of British office-goers are against music being played whilst they work.
Most (82 per cent) feel it is a distraction but over a third (35 per cent) admitted they would change their stance if they knew playing music out loud was proven to aid productivity.
The pandemic also saw a change in Britons’ working habits upon returning to the office.
Over half (54 per cent) of respondents said their headphone usage has increased post-pandemic.
The pandemic also saw a change in Britons’ working habits upon returning to the office (stock image)
Experts advised pop music, which is designed to be actively listened to, is likely to get stuck in office-goers heads’ and therefore may not be the most ‘appropriate choice’. Pictured: Canary Wharf skyscrapers
Fora said this may not be the ‘most conducive’ to a productive work environment – with two in five (39 per cent) feeling they can’t go up and speak to someone in the office if they’ve got headphones on.
Investigating the science behind music and productivity, Fora teamed up with Brian d’Souza – founder of Open Ear and Swell Studios – to conduct detailed research into the types of music that help with focus, limit distractions and increase productivity.
They recommended playlists featuring high-tempo music should be played during the post-lunch lull to help with focus and give listeners renewed energy when their circadian rhythm is telling them to slow down.
Other tips include setting a volume to 65 decibels as this has been shown to ‘benefit coworking environments’.
Workers can download a free ‘dB monitoring’ app and take a reading at various points in the room.
They advised pop music, which is designed to be actively listened to, is likely to get stuck in office-goers heads’ and therefore may not be the most ‘appropriate choice’.
They recommended playlists featuring high-tempo music should be played during the post-lunch lull to help with focus and give listeners renewed energy when their circadian rhythm is telling them to slow down (stock image)
Other tips said whilst the office is not a library, some may need to take on a call or focus so they recommended a quiet zone.
Based on the results of the research, Open Ear has curated a series of playlists specifically designed to aid the productivity and wellbeing of Fora members across its workspaces.
Brian d’Souza, Founder of Open Ear and Swell Studios, said: ‘By dedicating a small amount of our brain power to listening to music while working, it can help us block out other thoughts and distractions, and focus on the task at hand.
‘Music is of course very subjective – what is relaxing to some may be jarring to others – which is why we have developed playlists for Fora that are intended to maximise the potential for productivity for all.’