Companies make workers ‘beat the drums’

‘‘The musical experience causes the boundaries to disappear between managers and employees,’’ ‘‘It becomes a level playing field, so to speak — and it’s a safe experience for building trust at the most basic levels,’’ he says. The 11,000 programme brings in all the musical instruments and a trainer to conduct the workplace ensembles, and leaves behind the drums and a trained in-house person to keep running the show.

The workplace musical workout has produced startling results, Bittman told the New York Post. ‘‘Many employees are very negative about doing it and resist. But after they are cajoled into participating, they show remarkable changes,’’ he says. Absenteeism has dropped sharply because the musical experience relieves stress and boosts the body’s immune system, says he.

Toyota’s drumming has had enough success at keeping workers happy and punching the clock on time for the company to install its own dedicated ‘drum room’ at California locations, he says.