Is it bad to listen to music while working?

Question

I work in fron of the computer all day long, I like listening to music while I work but my boss said she rather we don´t listen to music because you can´t concentrate well, that the activity in you brain is divided and you can´t focus.
I think that´s a lie, they have this false idea that people cannot do well more than one thing at a time, what do you say? working in complete silence drive me crazy!!!

Answer 1

Your bos is wrong. Music can improve concentratin ad efficency. Yhe problem s everyone agreeing on the music being played. The solution would be for everyone ro use their SWalkmen or iPods to suit themusic to their personal tastes.

Answer 2

Sometimes I do find music distracting and sometimes I find it soothing. It depends on the music and what exactly I'm working on. But if she's your boss, you have to do what she says. It could be that other people are distracted by your music. I used to work in a cube farm and some people had their music way too loud. If you think that's the case say you'll wear headphones. Just be sure not to have them so loud you can't hear the phone or hear someone talking to you.

Answer 3

You should respect your bosses wishes. Yes you may be able to multi task, but the tasks you do will be less than 100%. In other words, you may hear the music, but you cannot listen and yu may input on the computer but do you really know what it is you input. Yor boss is paying you for a function, if you can't do it properly then maybe you should question why you are there.

Answer 4

Hi,
It's like the 'bulls eye' situation. Even though we all can multi-task, at any given point of time, we are going to do only ONE thing, that is, if you have music is switched on and you are simultaneously working, you will do both things alternately, so it does not affect your concentration. I have personally found that if you are passionately doing one thing, presence of even a hundred other distractions around you do not make any difference.

Answer 5

I work at a call center and sometimes the call volume can be really slow. My workplace is ok with us listening to music. I just plug in my earphones to my computer and listen to internet radio. You ought to try to convince your boss that music can be therapeudic, especially when you're stressed out. I'd say music makes you very productive.

Answer 6

I've heard that before, I don't think it's bad I can wacth TV, listen to music, and type a report on the computer at the same time and never miss anything

Answer 7

I always find that I work better with music. You need a small amount of distraction. Maybe he had a problem focusing and he thinks that is how it is with everybody.
But allowing employees to have individual radio might be a problem. I work well with soft rock or classical but if my co-worker next to me has hip hop going on I would definitely be distracted.

Answer 8

Where I work we did a study on music in the workforce as a motivational tool, we actually found that production was up 22% with music however we found that scrap or damaged parts went up 18%. so we decided not to allow music at our facility.

Answer 9

I say if your a multi tasker you can do it...At our job the music is on from 6 am to 10 am and off until 1:30pm then it gets turned back on...We just make pauses in the music to stay focused...

Answer 10

actually, if you listen to a certain type of music (gregorian, i guess, but i listen to almost anything when i work), it helps your brain keep focus of the thing you're doing. it is a proven fact. so it can actually improve your performance. if it's quiet around you, you will feel awkward and feel like going mad. but the music gives you a sense of familiarity, so the environment you work in is more homy. working with music sure works for me!