The British music industry has backed the Music at Work Week Campaign - aimed at encouraging employers to enable their staff to listen to music in the workplace to boost wellbeing and productivity.
UK collection societies PRS For Music and PPL both threw their weight behind the initiative, which is the brainchild of academic and author Dr. Julia Jones, aka Dr. Rock.
Peter Leathem, PPL Chief Executive Officer: “The level of understanding around how our brains respond to music is increasing all the time. Back in 1940s, the BBC introduced the highly popular ‘Music While You Work’ programme in order to increase productivity in factories during the war and the show went on to run for over a quarter of a century. Music At Work Week is a positive initiative, which allows for businesses and individuals to explore the potential benefits of listening to music as they go about their working day.”
And Andrea C. Martin, PRS for Music Chief Executive Officer added: “Study after study has shown how the right music can benefit the workplace - from the office to the factory floor, music improves staff morale and can boost productivity. With our colleagues across the industry, we support Music at Work Week and hope more businesses will discover the benefits music can bring.”
Dr. Jones came up with the idea while writing her book The Music Diet, which highlights the power of music in aiding physical and mental health, particularly for those with dementia. Music At Work Week will take place between November 25-December 1 2019.
Choirs and musicians will be visiting places of business and a new Battle Of The Office Bands competition for brands and agencies has also been launched in conjunction with media and marketing platform The Drum.
The British music industry body UK Music and the English National Opera have backed the campaign, which is also partnering with Sennheiser and Gibson Guitars.
Dr. Rock said: “The campaign is gaining huge momentum. We are delighted to have the backing of the UK music industry - and thanks PRS For Music, PPL, UK Music and the ENO. Employers will be hosting choirs and musicians in the workplace and a competition to find the UK’s best office band and choir will be launched.

“We are calling them ‘Brainraves’ - events that can boost mental health in the workplace. Studies have proven that music can aid mental and physical health and stave off dementia.”
UK Music chief Michael Dugher said: “The Music At Work Week Campaign is an excellent idea and UK Music and I support the drive to persuade bosses to allow their employees to listen to music and learn instruments in the workplace. This can help stimulate productivity and ease stress in an increasingly complex world of working patterns and environments. “Dr. Rock is setting the pace and leading the debate - she is someone who we all need to listen to.”
And Stuart Murphy, CEO of the English National Opera, also gave his backing and said: “Music can transform lives and help physical and mental wellbeing for those of all ages. Music At Work Week is a brilliant campaign and employers will see - and hear - the benefits of allowing staff to listen to music of any genre in the workplace.”
Dr. Jones’s studies have identified a clear link between listening to music and easing health problems, particularly dementia. The UK’s first Dementia Village is due to open in Kent imminently and Dr. Jones has also curated the music policy there.
Found In Music director Dr. Jones, who has worked with Olympic teams, the NHS, governmental bodies and major brands and corporations around the world, has been prescribing music for personal and business health for over 20 years. She has also been nominated for a prestigious 2019 Great British Entrepreneur Award for her work.
She says: “People need to know that consuming a little music each day, at home and/or at work can improve their life. This isn’t a fantasy, it’s fact. Thanks to scientific research we know music triggers important feel good brain chemicals. When the music is also linked to memories from youth the effects are even greater, especially for those living with dementia.
“My study of neuroscience and music began in the early 1990s and I’ve been prescribing it ever since. There has been decades of scientific research identifying the neuro-chemical responses that occur when the brain is presented with music and my book expands on this.
“Humans love music and should listen to more of it. It’s always been this way - the oldest instrument found to date is a 40,000 year old flute! We should all sing, dance and socialise more. And learn an instrument - even the most basic of musical ability can help keep the brain healthy.”
Work-related stress and anxiety issues cost the economy billions of pounds each year:
• Over 15 million working days are lost in the UK each year due to health problems which are predominantly brought on by workload.
• Work now bleeds outside of the traditional 9to5 working day and for many consumes almost every waking moment via smartphone technology. Employees feel overwhelmed and overloaded and under constant pressure.
• Increasingly, the stress also means workers have sleeping difficulties. Sleep deprivation costs the UK economy £40bn per year due to its effect on focus, productivity and physical/mental health.

• It is almost impossible for many employees to keep up with workload because open plan offices and constant interruptions make it increasingly difficult to focus.
Information about the Music At Work Week campaign can be found at
www.musicatworkweek.com
Information about the book can be found at www.musicdiet.co.uk . The book is available through Amazon.