NEW YORK — Is it really worth working from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day? A new survey finds office workers are at their most productive by 10:22 a.m. each morning — but start to slump by 1:27 p.m. A study of 2,000 employees is revealing the ups and downs the typical person goes through, with the afternoon getting progressively worse for many employees — who hit another lull at 2:06 p.m.
The poll finds 58 percent struggle to get through a day without feeling highs and lows of productivity levels. Spending too much time in front of a computer (27%), being interrupted by colleagues in the office (24%), and not taking enough breaks away from the desk (22%) are among the main reasons people don’t feel constantly energized at work.
“It can be so hard to maintain focus during the working day,” says a spokesperson for Office Freedom, who commissioned the research, in a statement.
“There’s a host of different distractions which can take our mind away from our work and what we’re supposed to be concentrating on. Having a work environment which helps you be your most productive is important as it makes sure you’re making the most of your time.”
Remote work a thing of the past now?
The research, carried out by OnePoll, found more than half (54%) agree they thrive around colleagues in their office compared to working from home by themselves. Another 38 percent say being in an office environment helps boost their productivity, compared to 22 percent who feel it hinders their ability to work.
For almost two-thirds of workers (65%), being around colleagues is the best part of being in the office. Of those who say that being in an office helps their effectiveness, almost half (48%) think it’s due to a better working environment and being around others.
However, noise levels (36%), room temperature (32%), and colleagues asking questions (32%) are the main drains on productivity in the workplace for those who would rather work from home.
Energy levels are at their lowest at the start and end of a typical working week, with almost a quarter finding Monday (24%) and Friday (23%) the days where they have the least energy. The typical workday sees people moan or say they are tired three times on average.
Drinking coffee (31%), going for a walk outside (25%), and having a cup of tea (24%) are the top ways employees give themselves an energy boost to feel more awake in the workplace.
“There are so many different factors which can impact how we attack the working day,” the spokesperson adds. “The office should be a place where you can connect with colleagues and collaborate. For more than half of us, being around workmates is the aspect which we value about the office.”
Report by 72Point writer Charlie Bayliss
I think this is an important study and the findings helpful in planning as a manager. However, I would like to know if there was any disclosure of the field and occupations of the participants and how that impacts the findings.