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Is listening to music at work calming or distracting?
Results so far:
| Calming | 77% | 1099 votes | Total: 1433 votes | |
| Distracting | 23% | 334 votes |
Calming
by Victor Mikulin
Created on: June 14, 2009
Music does indeed "soothe the savage beast". Whether listening to music while working is either calming or distracting is contingent upon a number of factors. Obviously, there are some individuals who find it distracting regardless of the type of music or the volume that it's played at. Those people afflicted with short attention spans or problems concentrating may find it painfully distracting. For most however, music playing in the background has a relaxing effect that helps to pace their day, smoothing out the wrinkles and minor irritants, and making for a much more productive and satisfying work environment.
Businesses have long understood the psychology of using music as a means of relaxing clientele. Customers who are relaxed remain in a business longer; increasing the amount of time they spend browsing, and as a result, tend to spend more money. Additionally, if the customer perceives the environment as being pleasant, they tend to return again and again. This is one way of increasing revenue and enhancing customer satisfaction at a relatively low cost with a relatively high rate of recurring return on investment.
Music is also used as a relaxation device in settings where the client may have to wait to be seen. Doctors offices, dentists, attorneys, accountants, and even barber shops and beauty salons have used this technique for years. While we may all decry "elevator" music, it has a demonstrable effect and tends to be utilized wherever its relaxing effects may be perceived as necessary or useful.
The vast majority of surgeons utilize music as a relaxation device during surgery. It helps them to focus on both the task at hand and keep an eye on "the big picture". Many surgeons vary the type and volume of music depending on the type of surgery, and what phase of the procedure they are at. They'll have the staff play softer, slower music during the intricate or delicate parts of an operation, switching to louder, more raucous music when "closing". It not only helps the surgeon directly, but sets the mood and attitude for the others involved in the operation.
Notwithstanding the temperament of individuals, there are two factors that seem to render music either calming or distracting: The type of music, and the volume at which it's played. Given the tremendously varied tastes of clients and workers alike, music perceived as too radical in any direction should be avoided. Music such as hip-hop, rap, punk, and heavy metal may actually serve to irritate some clients and workers. They find either the lyrics objectionable or the tempo too fast. Similarly, if the volume is too loud, it may interfere with either face-to-face conversation, or telephone conversations. It can become dangerous if the work involves using machinery or equipment that emits audible alarms for abnormal or dangerous conditions, and can't be heard over the music. Conversely, if music is too slow or too soft, it may impede productivity by rendering the worker lethargic or inattentive. In a work environment that has little or no direct interaction with customers, the most prudent course of action would be to poll the staff and come upon a consensus as to whether or not there should be music, what type of music, and how loudly it should be played.
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Distracting
by Barb Hopkins
Created on: May 21, 2008 Last Updated: February 15, 2009
I have always listened to music when I was working. Sometimes the music was piped in through the office P.A. system and other times it was through my own radio or CD player. At home, I would listen to music as I cleaned or cooked. For years, it seemed as if there was always music in the background of my life. After having been away from the general workforce for several years, I returned a few months ago. My position as a secretary-telemarket er found me alone in a very quiet office on several occasions. I figured a little background music would make the hours go by faster and keep my mood upbeat as I made calls and completed various tasks. I was so very wrong.
I decided to stream my background music from favorite radio station via the internet. I logged on, tuned in, and prepared to enjoy the tunes and a very productive afternoon. No sooner had I turned the music on, did the phone ring. I answered but soon realized that the DJ's voice in the background, although soft and not audible to my caller, was a distraction for me. My caller's voice and the DJ's blended together and I had to completely lower the computer's volume. Maybe I was simply out of practice with shutting out distractions while taking phone calls. I did manage to handle my caller's questions and I decided that since the phone rang infrequently, I would leave my music on as I completed some data entry work. I really didn't want to go back to working in complete silence.
In addition to my data entry, I was required to make a certain number of telemarketing calls each day. I dutifully dialed the first number on my list and prepared to either leave a message or speak with a person. The first call went smoothly as the song playing in the background was soft and melodic. I made my way through about a dozen calls when I realized I was listening too closely to the commercials and news updates. I had lost my place in my list. I considered shutting down the radio station but now I was determined to be able to have the background noise and do my job well. I tried a couple of more calls and found that especially when a song I really like played, I was distracted and my vocal skills suffered. Admitting defeat, I disconnected my link to the radio station and finished my work in silence.
Not all jobs require background silence, and in all actuality, my job doesn't really require it. I am just incapable of concentrating on a telemarketing phone call when there is music in the background. Maybe if I was working forty hours a week in this position, I would be able to listen to music while calling clients. I remember years ago when I worked full-time in another office where music was piped in daily, the music never hurt my concentration for my work and I enjoyed the tunes in the background immensely. Unfortunately I now realize that this job is different and I personally need the quiet to perform it successfully.
If I worked in an assembly line job, I could see where background music could make the day go by faster, but what if the music wasn't the style you enjoyed? If country music is like nails on the chalkboard to you, eight hours of the twang and guitar could send you right over the edge. If the music is annoying it will ultimately become a distraction. And what if you do enjoy the music being played? If you are singing along with a favorite song, your focus may not be on the task at hand and could potentially pose a safety issue for you or others in your work area.
A resolved statement that listening to music at work is either calming or distracting is very subjective to the individual making that claim. There seems to be an equal number of supporters for both sides of the issue because it really depends on the personality of the worker and the type of job being performed. Personally, I feel that for me to listen to music as I work, especially when I am on the phone, is not only distracting but also discourteous to the client on the other end of the line.
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