Recently, a study conducted by Assistant Professor Kathleen Keeler from Ohio State University in the United States found that playing music in the workplace that is not suitable for employees can have negative effects on their energy, mood, and even work performance. It’s not hard to imagine how employees working long hours in an environment with unsuitable music could feel tortured, having to endure music that does not resonate with them.
According to Keeler, if the music played in the workplace does not meet the needs of employees in terms of helping them feel energized, manage emotions, and stay focused, it can actually have adverse effects. In the study, it was discovered that unsuitable music can lead to increased fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and a lack of enjoyment in work tasks, ultimately potentially leading employees to engage in behaviors that could harm the company.
The research highlighted that for individuals who find it challenging to block out background noise in their surroundings, the problem becomes even more severe. Yet, company managers often only consider the impact of music on customers when selecting what to play, overlooking the significant impact it can have on their own employees.
In the conducted experiments, one involved 166 full-time employees who evaluated their needs in terms of music characteristics like volume, speed, complexity, and emotional intensity. They then listened to one of two music playlists while engaging in creative tasks. After completing their tasks, they rated how well the music met their needs in terms of volume, speed, complexity, and emotional intensity.
The results revealed that when the music played did not align with the participants’ stated needs, they experienced negative effects. Individuals who were not adaptable to the music experienced reduced feelings of pleasure and emotion, decreased cognitive abilities, and a sense of mental exhaustion, further exacerbating the negative impact on their work performance.
For individuals who do not use screens while working, the issue becomes particularly severe as it becomes challenging for them to ignore background music while trying to concentrate. Another experiment involved 68 employees working in various settings like healthcare facilities, retail stores, and restaurants, who normally had background music while working.
During this experiment, participants answered questions listed in three daily emails over a three-week period relating to their music needs, the music they heard, their emotions, cognitive exhaustion, and various behaviors at work. The results of this experiment confirmed the findings of the first study and revealed that unsuitable music can impact employee performance. When participants felt a mismatch between the music they heard and their preferences, they were more likely to engage in behaviors that could harm the company’s interests and less likely to take positive actions.
Negative behaviors found included slower work pace, discussing negative workplace issues with other employees, and even office supply theft. Conversely, positive actions included helping coworkers with tasks beyond their responsibilities.
Keeler emphasized that employees who feel drained, distracted, and unproductive due to listening to music all day will ultimately impact the company’s revenue and suffer from performance losses. This underscores the importance for employers to consider employees’ needs when choosing what music to play in the workplace.
Employers should strive to strike a balance between attracting customers and accommodating employees, as unhappy employees can have detrimental effects on a business. They can also ensure that areas within the workplace are designated as music-free zones during rest periods. Moreover, investing in smart earplugs can help employees hear customer conversations while filtering out background noise, including music.
The research findings were published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, underscoring the importance for employers to prioritize employees’ musical preferences and needs in the workplace.