Since the creation of music, it has been one of our main sources of expression. Since the creation of music, it has been one of our main sources of expression. It also helps with our productivity in our everyday lives.
The vast amount of things music helps us do is what makes it special. So what happens when that source of expression isn’t allowed? What happens when music, the conductor of emotions, is taken away? Then you have a room full of dull faces listening to typing sounds and their intrusive thoughts.
Though there are some jobs whose rule of no music is valid, not every job is the same. So when jobs that do not require complete manpower, ask for the same satisfaction of completion, you would think there would be some leniency.
On the contrary, many jobs that require low-quality tasks or are immobile still enforce the no music rule.
They sit down in one place for hours on end, doing the same thing constantly for days. All they ask is for something to continue their productivity before they burn out.
Music and its General Cognitive Influence
So what makes music such an important to our cognitive (our mind) influence? Think about it this way: someone usually plays a song to improve their mood or the mood of others.
Daniel Barolksy, Beloit College music professor, states that music could help a person’s performance depending on why it’s used. “Available evidence indicates that music favored by the listener can temporarily improve arousal or mod as well as elevate cognitive performance,” he stated.
Not only does music improve a person’s mood, but it also controls stress levels. Soothing or calm music helps decrease the levels of stress hormones found in the body.
It engages the brain when tasks include repetition, known for losing people’s satisfaction and increasing burnout. Speaking of repetition, music also helps with memory retention or remembering information. When you are less stressed, your ability to remember key points or information becomes more accurate.
Why might companies hate music in the workplace?
A lot of companies believe that music could be more of a distraction than what people think it is. In 1996, the Journal of Applied Psychology found a sample at a skateboard factory. The employees were given the ability to listen to music during work hours, which they said helped with their productivity. However, though it increases their morality about being at work, the music did not help with their productivity.
Another study showed that college students did worse when performing takes while listening to music. The article states that while task performance and productivity aren’t the same, low-quality task repetition, in general, reduces productivity.
Going back to what Professor Barolsky stated, music is also situational. Though it’s stated as a positive distraction, it’s a distraction nonetheless. Jobs like construction and citizen safety (police, firefighter, ambulance) most would agree to be jobs that need a person’s full attention. Having headphones could be the difference between life and death in most workplaces.
Music increases employee happiness/motivation
Music also influences how an employee is feeling during the workday. They look to music as their “stress ball” as they deal with the trail of being a working citizen.
There was a survey was taken by Totaljobs in 2016 that focused on the idea of music in the workplace. In their studies, which included a sample of 4,553 people, 79% stated to be more productive if they listen to music during work. Some other interesting statics include:
- People born in the 1990s to 2000s required more demanding music to focus that people born in the 1950s.
- 84% who said they cannot listen to music would benefit from it at work.
- 24% said it helped ignore outside distractions like noise and conversation.
- 38% of those aren’t allowed to listen while 26% have no control.
So when companies take away the stress ball, where do employees go when they feel burned out of less motivated to do their work? If there is one thing that the workplace usually takes more seriously than their customer’s happiness, it’s their employees.
Motivate Consumers
If companies want consumers motivated to buy products, they must realize employee motivation is essential. Without employee happiness or motivation, no work is done, or at least at its full potential. If the work isn’t done properly, consumers aren’t happy or motivated enough to continue buying.
Of course, you can blame the employees because of their lack of trying. But when the employee comes to work uninterested, is told the most interesting thing about them is prohibited, and leaves uninterested, of course, the final product will too.
Once again, music isn’t the saving grace of work productivity, nor is it the secret to a billion-dollar company. But when the facts show the positive influence music has on someone working, then take it away. Companies should not be surprised why employees aren’t as eager about the job when they got hired.
Written By Daylontie Jasper
Sources:
Totaljobs: Sound of Productivity; by Dr Anneli Haake and Deezer UK
Business News Daily: Music and Its Effect on Productivity; By Skye Schooley
Indeed.Com: Should You Listen To Music at Work? (With Tips); by Indeed editorial tips
APA Psyc Net: Newman, R. I., Jr., Hunt, D. L., & Rhodes, F. (1966). Effects of music on employee attitude and productivity in a skateboard factory. Journal of Applied Psychology, 50(6), 493–496
Feature Image Courtesy of Grant Hutchinson‘s flicker page- Creative Commons License
