By Isaline Sergeant, Senior HR Advisor at Electra HR
What do you listen to while you work? Is it System of a Down? Is it Taylor Swift? K-Pop? It is commonly considered that for a majority of people, listening to music while working can increase productivity. This, however, depends on many factors such as the type of job, the music genre, and your personality.
It is commonly considered that for a majority of people listening to music while working can increase productivity. This depends on many factors such as the type of job, the music genre, and ofcourse, your personality.
“Some companies introduced light background music and witnessed an increase in productivity, staff motivation and satisfaction and decrease stress levels. This has to be thought-through as some employees might need complete silence to stay focused.“
– Isaline Sergeant, Senior HR Advisor at Electra HR
Where you work from matters, too. Do you work from home? Or in an office? Do you have freedom to listen to heavy metal at the office for instance?
At home your employer won’t have their say, but in the office you will have to check if there is a policy in place around the topic. Most companies don’t have one and it is always better to check with your manager on this. And to consider the corporate culture. You must consider how your music might be affecting the concentration of other people around you as this will quickly lead to colleagues complaining about your music, or even simply your humming (dare you hum?!), potential dancing etc. Also, managers tend to reject this practice as it makes you less approachable and alert of your surroundings.
Depending on your job, you might prefer listening to the radio, a podcast, rock or classical music. Some even see their creativity spike in a coffee shops environment with all its ASMR noises such as the coffee machine, indistinct background chatter, etc.
Some companies introduced light background music and witnessed an increase in productivity, staff motivation and satisfaction and decrease stress levels. This has to be thought-through as some employees might need complete silence to stay focused.
It might be worth considering a survey: A survey seems adequate to capture the employees’ view before integrating background music in the office. And will allow staff to vote anonymously on the issue.
Interested in finding out how Electra HR can help you and your team? Reach out to Isaline Sergent at isaline@electra-hr.com or +44 (0)1622 801 209.