Does music help with concentration?More people are listening to MP3 players at work. Why do some people need music as they work, while others can't concentrate with it?
Does music help with concentration?More people are listening to MP3 players at work. Why do some people need music as they work, while others can't concentrate with it?
It's the little signs. The foot tapping under the desk, head bobbing, the tell-tale wires winding from ears to pocket.
It's the little signs. The foot tapping under the desk, head bobbing, the tell-tale wires winding from ears to pocket.
A fifth of workers now listen in at work, a survey by design company Woods Bagot has found. And it's not just the usual suspects - designers and their ilk - but everyone from serious City types to those working for small businesses.
A fifth of workers now listen in at work, a survey by design company Woods Bagot has found. And it's not just the usual suspects - designers and their ilk - but everyone from serious City types to those working for small businesses.
This raises eyebrows in corporate circles. The CBI grumbles that it could cost firms money, and traditional companies are less tolerant of employees skipping through a playlist at work.
This raises eyebrows in corporate circles. The CBI grumbles that it could cost firms money, and traditional companies are less tolerant of employees skipping through a playlist at work.
As are some of the workers themselves. One Square Mile worker surveyed complained that a colleague's listening habits affected her own concentration: "A secretary who sits outside my door listens to her iPod when she is doing long copy-types, even though she is not meant to, and she hums along to it and drums her fingernails on her desk."
As are some of the workers themselves. One Square Mile worker surveyed complained that a colleague's listening habits affected her own concentration: "A secretary who sits outside my door listens to her iPod when she is doing long copy-types, even though she is not meant to, and she hums along to it and drums her fingernails on her desk."
You hum it...
You hum it...
But some employers encourage it - admittedly in those forward-thinking work circles. At the architecture firm where James Neal, 40, works in Dartington, Cornwall, the boss handed out MP3 players for Christmas.
But some employers encourage it - admittedly in those forward-thinking work circles. At the architecture firm where James Neal, 40, works in Dartington, Devon, the boss handed out MP3 players for Christmas.
Under the desk, or in the pocketMr Neal says it helps him to block out the background hubbub of the open-plan office. "When you're doing something creative you can more easily concentrate on drawing."
Under the desk, or in the pocketMr Neal says it helps him to block out the background hubbub of the open-plan office. "When you're doing something creative you can more easily concentrate on drawing."
And far from being anti-social, the office atmosphere has been enhanced by sharing music. But this had led to teasing: "They call my music 'dad rock' - it's old school indie pop, stuff like The Verve and Suede." No surprise that his ideal work soundtrack is anything by The Smiths. "A bit of Morrissey makes me feel better."
And far from being anti-social, the office atmosphere has been enhanced by sharing music. But this had led to teasing: "They call my music 'dad rock' - it's old school indie pop, stuff like The Verve and Suede." No surprise that his ideal work soundtrack is anything by The Smiths. "A bit of Morrissey makes me feel better."
And well it can, says psychologist Dr Martin Corbett, of Warwick Business School. Firms should press pause before attempting to ban music players.
And well it can, says psychologist Dr Martin Corbett, of Warwick Business School. Firms should press pause before attempting to ban music players.
Factories have often pumped out background music to "chug" people along. It works for any kind of routine work where the person does not have to concentrate too hard - such as copy-typing. And surgeons play music through operations, although not over headphones, as that would seriously impair communication.
Factories have often pumped out background music to "chug" people along. It works for any kind of routine work where the person does not have to concentrate too hard - such as copy-typing. And surgeons play music through operations, although not over headphones, as that would seriously impair communication.
Focus
Focus
In an open-plan office, it's the only way for some people to carve a space, stamp their individuality, tune out an irritating colleague, or close a mental door to allow concentration.
In an open-plan office, it's the only way for some people to carve a space, stamp their individuality, tune out an irritating colleague, or close a mental door to allow concentration.
Tune out to focus"Music gives you a sense of who you are and a way to go somewhere else," he says.
Tune out to focus"Music gives you a sense of who you are and a way to go somewhere else," he says.
But moving music closer could interfere with concentration for some. "With headphones, it's not in the background, it comes to the foreground in your brain because it's right in your face."
But moving music closer could interfere with concentration for some. "With headphones, it's not in the background, it comes to the foreground in your brain because it's right in your face."
And the solitary nature of headphone-wearers can disrupt the office vibe. If work becomes a less social place, it affects job satisfaction. Then there's the effort of trying to get their attention.
And the solitary nature of headphone-wearers can disrupt the office vibe. If work becomes a less social place, it affects job satisfaction. Then there's the effort of trying to get their attention.
"The users won't hear you talking to them. The volume is so high, they tend to lip-read first," says Dr Corbett.
"The users won't hear you talking to them. The volume is so high, they tend to lip-read first," says Dr Corbett.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
The office is a great place to listen to music. It makes the day go more pleasantly and it lets me cut out other people's chat so I can concentrate on work, although sometimes I miss out on important gossip. Then again, that's what instant messaging is for!Rod MacFadyen, Reading
Just goes to show what a lot of people think of open plan offices. It's partially an attempt to stamp back at that and regain some sense of privacy but mostly to shut out the distractions when someone has decided workers who need to concentrate on what they are doing should be sat in the noise of everyone else. No doubt the decision maker is cosy in his office somewhere.Simon, Manchester, UK
I totally agree that music can help. I always have music on while I am reading and writing. At end of term essay time I start sing along subconsciously, and I tend to get stressed in exams without any music.Rach, Oxford
We have a radio at work because without it the silence is deafening and the day seems boring. We each have songs that we dislike so have an official 3 minutes of silence when those are played. MP3 players would not be appropriate in my office, as we need to answer phones and speak with other staff.Susan, London
Listening to music is not allowed in our office however, I had to giggle when I read your report as I've got my MP3 on, hidden under my paperwork. I may be a 33 year old mum to be but I'm listening to Iron Maiden, what a trip down memory lane! Gina, Southampton
