PPL, the UK company that licenses music for public performance and consumption have banned music from their central London office, in an attempt to get staff truly appreciating the value of music.

The ban only lasts for one day – to-day, in fact – and extends to both the office’s stereo and personal devices. Anyone caught breaking the ban will be fined £5, with the money going to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Music Week report that Jonathan Morrish, director of PR and Corporate Communications at the company, explained the ban thus: “The value of music to businesses is a point we are constantly explaining to our licensees so it seemed to make complete sense upfront of our new research for staff to undergo silence themselves!” It comes after research by both PPL and PRS for Music on music’s role in the workplace, and personally FACT is all for the idea.

“[Staff] were not entirely amused”, Morrish continues. “But, as the saying goes, ‘If you are going to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.’ Seriously, music in public contributes hugely to businesses and while the level of service we offer won’t miss a beat on the day, I know that everyone will be glad to have the music back on when we all come back to work after the long weekend.”

No YouTube either, we presume. Still, props to anybody who sneaks in a crafty play of John Cage’s ‘4’33” when the boss’s back is turned.