Music in the Workplace: Friend or Foe?

Jasmine Flowers April 25, 2008

“Nearly one-third of U.S. employees work while listening to music via an iPod, MP3 player, or similar personal music device,” according to a 2006 poll conducted by Harris Interactive for Spherion.

Why is this important? According to a recent article in HR Magazine entitled, “Working to the Beat,” many companies are incorporating music into their recruiting strategies for younger candidates. Results from the Harris Poll are driving this strategy based on the findings that 90 percent of workers age 18 to 24, and 89 percent of those 30 to 39, said that music improves job satisfaction, productivity, and turnover.

This concept, although new to corporate environments, is not a new trend. Retailers and factories have historically used music as a means to influence shoppers’ behaviors and “ease workplace drudgery” for factory workers. Researchers believe that workers who listen to music are more productive simply because music puts them in a better mood.

I agree that music can positively impact your work day. Now, I am not someone who listens to music everyday but on the days where I am crunching away on the computer and need something to break up the monotony of the day, music is my solace. In general, it is nice to know that a company is supportive and flexible with the way in which I am most productive and happy.

An HR Director was quoted in the HR Magazine article stating that,

“when it comes to recruitment and retention, companies need to be creative. Some people concentrate fine with music. I don’t. But if you can fine. The thing that’s important is that we value flexibility.”

I think more companies will find that by using flexibility as a competitive advantage, without compromising safety, health, productivity, culture, and quality of work, the reputation will speak for itself and candidates will naturally gravitate towards those companies.

Contrarily, it is argued that music in the workplace compromises business etiquette in the sense that it makes other people feel uncomfortable when others have headphones on and it gives the impression that the person is disengaged. “Etiquette is about making people feel comfortable,” according to a business etiquette consultant quoted in HR Magazine. Business leaders are also concerned that the “generation that has grown up with technology and has never learned the importance of nonverbal cues…that say I’m here, I’m in the game.”

Honestly, I think it is ridiculous if the concern is that headphones make other employees feel uncomfortable or to make the correlation between the technology generation and lack of business etiquette. How difficult is it to walk to a coworkers cube or office and simply tap them on the shoulder to get their attention and if you are hiring the right talent they will know how to operate in all situations whether it be verbal or nonverbal.

These traditional views of the corporate workplace need to evolve if companies want to compete for the best and the brightest talent. Remember, it is this generation coming in the door that will be the future leaders so there needs to be a level of flexibility and adaptation in the workplace where change is embraced and not rejected out of fear.

Posted in Recruiting, Retention, Workforce Management