Raido on at work - is it more productive or less?

scooby088

I think the radio in any workplace does help break the monotony of work really, i really liked my last employer we had a cd player too and it was a bit strange listening to some of my colleagues tastes in music.

I have always thought that a workplace is rather oppresive without any sort of background music.

teabelly

I worked in a place where they had radio 1 on all day. Affected my productivity as I couldn't concentrate properly with that inane drivel. The moment they left for the day I'd switch it off!

You don't need a PRS licence to listen to music/radio/tv in your own home with friends round so why would it apply to workplace? Greedy beggars. People aren't paying money to listen to it so you shouldn't need a licence. If you do then it is a stupid system!

runninglea

Hi - I work in two offices, one has radio on and the other doesn't.

I prefer to have it on, four of us in the office and listen to top ten at ten or daily quiz. Keeps us amused.

If anyone comes into office - then we turn it off!

Savvy_Sue

teabelly wrote: »

I worked in a place where they had radio 1 on all day. Affected my productivity as I couldn't concentrate properly with that inane drivel. The moment they left for the day I'd switch it off!

You don't need a PRS licence to listen to music/radio/tv in your own home with friends round so why would it apply to workplace? Greedy beggars. People aren't paying money to listen to it so you shouldn't need a licence. If you do then it is a stupid system!

you would have to read the threads on the small biz board, where basically they agree with you about the bits in bold ...

Any

You definitely do have to have licence to play the radio. We had visit from the officers in my place of work.

The argument about the radio is the same as about whether you should let people interact IMO. Some might say "no, they are paid to work so they should work the FULL time they get paid for". No coffee breaks or chat in the toilets.

Which is understandable from one point of view, but people are not robots and need some sort of interaction. Radio can serve in it's place.

I was in a job where I sat in the office, all by myself and no radio allowed. Well paid, but drove me mad!!!! What kind of a life is that? The most boring job ever. Couldn't wait to get out of that place every day... Wouldn't wish it back.

The fact is that if you treat people like a robots, you will have high staff turnover, low morale and no loyalty.

teabelly

People could easily have their own music on headphones then the PRS wouldn't apply :-) That way everyone gets their choice of listening and no one has to listen to something the don't like.

Any

teabelly wrote: »

People could easily have their own music on headphones then the PRS wouldn't apply :-) That way everyone gets their choice of listening and no one has to listen to something the don't like.

That would be very counter productive...
You still have to interact with other people, hear the phones and when someone is addressing you...
It's also easier the ignore background noise when needed then actual music on headphones for some reason..

shikoku

I worked somewhere that had very out of tune radio one blaring out, it was horrific!

bluenoseam

I worked in HMV - no choice in there i guess! But if i was in the stock room for any length of time i'd stick on a CD with a bit of pace to it, makes it easier to keep the speed up while doing repetitive tasks.

getmore4less

I don't like it but a lot of IT workers do like music(pc with headphones)

I don't even have background music on at home when on the PC working or posting.