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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Sarah Lumley

Office workers are most productive at 10.22am - but hit a slump at 1.27pm, study finds

Office workers will be at their most productive at 10:22am and hit a slump at 1:27pm, research has revealed.

A study of 2,000 employees revealed the ups and downs the typical person goes through, with the afternoon getting progressively worse – with a further lull at 2:06pm.

It found 58 per cent said they struggle to get through a day without feeling highs and lows of productivity levels.

Spending too much time in front of a computer (27 per cent), being interrupted by colleagues when in the office (24 per cent), and not taking enough breaks away from the desk (22 per cent), are among the main reasons for not feeling constantly switched on at work.

A spokesman for Office Freedom, which commissioned the research, said: “It can be so hard to maintain focus during the working day.

“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.”

The research, carried out by OnePoll, found more than half (54 per cent) agreed they thrived around colleagues in the office, compared to working from home by themselves.

And 38 per cent said being in an office environment helped boost their productivity – compared to 22 per cent, who felt it hindered their ability to work.

For almost two-thirds of workers (65 per cent), being around colleagues is the best part of being in the office.

Of those who said being in an office helped their effectiveness, almost half (48 per cent) said it was due to a better working environment and being around others.

However, noise levels (36 per cent), room temperature (32 per cent), and colleagues asking questions (32 per cent) were the main drains on productivity in the workplace for those affected.

Energy levels are at their lowest at the start and end of a typical working week, with almost a quarter finding Monday (24 per cent) and Friday (23 per cent) the days where they had the least energy.

The typical workday sees people moan or imply they are tired three times on average.

Drinking coffee (31 per cent), going for a walk outside (25 per cent), and having a cup of tea (24 per cent), were the top ways employees give themselves an energy boost to feel more awake in the workplace.

The Office Freedom spokesman added: “There are so many different factors which can impact how we attack the working day.

“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.”

To find out more about what impacts and encourages office productivity, visit here.

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