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Posted By Liz Burley
Apologies if this topic has have previously been covered.
Can anyone advise of any research or web links on the positive or adverse effects of playing radios in offices?
I have an ongoing issue with administration staff who have had their radios recently removed under the banner of being UNPROFESSIONAL.
I would like to research whether music aids or decreases productivity and/or whether it is considered unprofessional in work areas.
Regards
Liz
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Posted By Roy McGraa
Whether or not it's unprofessional is a matter of personal opinion. However, did you know that listening to radios at work is actually illegal in most cases.
In 2007 Kwik-Fit were been slapped with a bill for £200,000 in damages simply because its mechanics switched on their radios.
The lawsuit was brought by the Performing Rights Society which collects royalties for songwriters and performers.
The PRS said Kwik-Fit mechanics were using personal radios while at work and the music (which is protected by copyright) could be heard by colleagues and customers. This act of playing or performing music in public renders the firm guilty of copyright infringement.
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Posted By Bob Youel
listening to certain types of music has been shown to be good [not; pop, rock, some country & western & some folk] for production etc but watch out for the performing rights people
As for being unprofessional - that smacks of the Victorian age
companies [those not working in the Victorian age] can pay a small fee to have radios in their workplace
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Posted By Simon Bull
Hi,
It is also true that under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, you should reduce exposure to noise to a minimum in the workplace. This is irrespective of level and therefore includes radio's in offices!
Simon Bull, CaslteGroup (dot co dot uk)
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Posted By Liz Burley
Fascinating, I will try to get a copy of the Kwik-fit case.
Other comments, your info is very helpful - and I do believe that staff can still be professional even when listening to the radio.
And what about the (sometimes unwanted) telephone music when someone is waiting to be transferred?
Once again your comments are greatly appreciated.
Liz
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Posted By Ron Hunter
Radio, piped music, whatever is a wholly unecessary and annoying distraction for those involved in work requiring a degree of concentration.
If you're content that all those in the workplace can do what they have to do without maintaining high levels of concentration then fine.
The whole concept doesn't lend itself to workplace democracy. I suggest a secret ballot to ensure unanimous acceptance.
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Posted By Ron Hunter
Addendum:
In a Local Authority context, this has been found to be inflamatory when the office is fielding calls from Members of the Public. This can make the local press, with suggestions of Council staff with nothing better to do, etc.
Additionally, the standard contract terms most LAs issue to contractors who come into Council buildings to carry out works state categorically that the playing of radios etc. is prohibited.
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Posted By Merv Newman
In the office context I have always found that radios, especially someone else's choice, are distracting and annoying. And there can be the problem of "I've got to turn mine up because I can't hear it over the noise of yours" (bang goes 80dBa)
In a PRODUCTION context I've seen that straight music (none of that distracting DJ drivel) can do quite well. (with due regard to the 85 limit)
My best example comes from a vehicle production plant (white vans) where the heavy gang (earrings, tats, other piercings) were mating front chassis to engines. On their CD player they had something called RAM DAM - classical music with muscle : Beethoven's fifth, toccata and fugue, night on a bare mountain and so on. they loved it and worked to the rhythm.
One of them said that they usually start the shift with Ravel's Bolero as it gets them in the mood for work. (but that's not what it gets me in the mood for)
Merv (I bought the CD for the car)
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Posted By Alan Nicholls
Liz
Any music played in the workplace is subject to either a Performing Rights Licence or a Phonographic Performance Licence OR BOTH.
Tapes of pre-recorded material,cd's or radio broadcasts.
The licence fee is calculated from the number of half hour units per day, the number of employees in the workplace the music is audible to, canteen restroom etc etc.
If you run a call centre with cd changer playing music, while callers are on hold that also requires PRL,PPL.
If you require further info Google PRL Licences.
Good luck Alan N
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Posted By Liz Burley
Many thanks to all who responded to my enquiry (subject). Your comments were very informative and concise and now I believe that I have the information to prepare an in-depth report on the matter.
Once again my sincere thanks
Liz
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Posted By peter gotch
Hi Liz.
Many years ago they did research on this in Soviet factories.....this ages me and my memory!!!
Productivity went up when they played music, but then declined again.
They found that the best solution was to have music in doses, so that there was an increase in productivity each time they turned the music back on.
Regards, Peter
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Posted By Ian Mitchell
I love music, and play it in the car all the time.
But, it has a place, and that is not the workplace!
Because I like music, hearing it distracts concentration levels, so I abstain.
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Posted By Liz Burley
Hi Peter, thanks for your response (the last time I say you you didnt look that old)!
Alex, the website advised was very helpful and I will use the information as an attachment to my report.
Regards to all
Liz
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Posted By John Veitch
I've read this thread with interest, but I do require some clarification please.
The company I work for does not provide music to the work force in any way.
However employees bring their own radios etc and play them in their local work area.
Does my company require a licence?
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Posted By Vicky Smith
Hi John
Yes you need licence
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Posted By John Richards
If the worker is not playing the music in a form that others can hear (ie: ipod) then YOU do not need to licence the performing. You will PROBABLY not need one IF the radio is playing music softly.
You can visit the performing rights website for clarification:http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx
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Posted By Bob Shillabeer
I have read this psoting with interest, and find it to be honest a load of noice. The use of radios in a work environment is a distraction end of news. If there is any amount of detail in the tasks performed radios can be a distaraction and can lead to loss of concentration. They can be very disterbing if used in a call centre type of environmemnt and can lead to additional complaints that the person was not concentrating on the call even if that is not true it gives that impression.
Where a high degree of concentraction is required it can distract the person from the work in hand and result in errors due to lack of concentration.
I remember when working in a railway signal box the use of radios and any such device was not permitted as it cause a lack of concentration, this was often ignored but hidden when the boss visited.
There is the argument that a radio can help keep someone alert but these applications are rare and hard to find these days. The use of radios in my view should be discouraged as they cause a serious distraction and can result in serious errors.
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Posted By Pete48
One doesn't need research to know that listening to music has a psychological impact on human activity. Unless that is, you have never played air guitar or whacked up the volume whilst listening to the Volga boatmen in the BMW; or selected your favourite weepy music when you feel a bit down and need a good cry; or sung your lungs out to Bat out of hell or "sisters are doing it for themselves."
There is a wealth of research around if you search on "psychological effect of music". Not exactly office related but enought o give you a start on the subject.
Playing one source of music to a mixed group who individually have no choice about getting up and leaving is bound to lead to discord. Workers playtime belongs in the nineteen forties and fifties.
For example, I have songs that immediately take me back 40/30/20/10 years; the memories are not always good ones.
What do I do if I am sitting at my desk and one starts to play? Carrying on with what I am doing is not usually one of the choices available to me.
In my experience, group music in a work environment is best avoided. You can never be quite sure what effect it will have on each individual who can hear it.
It doesn't, as a generalism, aid anything when groups are working together. Unless you are a marching band or a group of cheerleaders :):)
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Posted By TBC
I once did a noise survey for a big company making and canning hot dogs and burgers. With the radios off everything was fine, but with the radios on - ear protection became compulsory.
What a burger!
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Posted By Lilian McCartney
Hi Liz,
another aspect to consider is something which happened to me once. i was taking a call from a distressed employee when the DJ on the ofice radio made some funny comment. Everyone burst out laughing quite loud and the went down the phone and caused more anxiety.
We worked out a system that we would put my hand up if the call warranted the radio to beoff
Lilian
Radios are fine in the right context.
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