Almost 60 per cent of workers where music is allowed to be played in their offices have arguements over the choice, according to new research by Kit Out My Office.

Raising morale (46 per cent) and productivity (31 per cent) were the main reasons given by employers for allowing music to be played in the office and 72 per cent of offices allow music to be played.

Despite the best intention of employers, 43 per cent give control of the playlist to one person and this has a negative impact on morale.

A total of 73 per cent of workers in offices that allow music and have the playlist controlled by one person said they are more likely to be unhappy as they haven’t contributed anything.

Some people went as far to say that it has resulted in arguments or heated discussions.

Music that resulted in office arguments

1. Rammstein – Du Hast: A heated argument broke out between three staff members over the choice of heavy metal music in the office. The breaking point being Rammstein’s ‘Du Hast’ song. It took the owner getting involved and a ban of metal music.

2. Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up: One staff member at a recruitment company thought it would be funny to play the song over and over. It took only six repeats until a colleague broke the speaker. The staff member who persisted with playing the song ended up having to foot the bill for a replacement.

3. Christmas music being played too early: Although strictly not an office, a member of the staff working in the office of a supermarket in Manchester thought it would be funny to play Christmas music in July. The end result? They were dismissed.

A total of 86 per cent of people do not want to contribute to a shared playlist as they fear their choices will be criticised but 65 per cent of those are happy to criticise the choices of others.