A report commissioned by office products firm Fellowes asked 1,000 workers how employers could improve productivity and found that almost two-thirds (61%) of office workers believe a four-day working week would make them more productive. From Grace Marshall Productivity Expert – Think Productive.
A further half of workers admitted they are unproductive for up to an hour every day. It was also revealed that 40 percent believe they would be more efficient working remotely. Despite being the fifth largest economy in the world, the UK sits 15th in the productivity table, lagging behind the likes of Sweden (31 hours p/w), Denmark (27.2 hours p/w) and Norway (27.3 p/w) – who all work, on average, less hours per week than Brits (32 hours p/w).
Many experts believe it’s time to look towards Scandinavian countries like Sweden – who recently trialled a six-hour working day – where employees have more flexibility to choose when and where they work. One of those people is world-leading productivity expert, Grace Marshall.
Author of How to be Really Productive Grace Marshall and productivity expert at Think Productive said: “We’ve found that a four-day work week increases momentum and motivation in the office, as well as giving employees more time to enjoy life outside of the workplace
“It is our ability to think well that increases the quality and value of our work, not how many hours we show up at the office. In fact, working longer hours can diminish our productivity as well as our wellbeing.”
The report also found that office equipment was also hampering worker output with a quarter of people claiming they have missed a deadline because they couldn’t get their hands on the right equipment in time. Almost half (43%) of people surveyed admitted are distracted up to 15 times a day, with the average worker getting distracted every 35 minutes.
Grace Marshall added: “Being distracted diminishes our ability to think clearly and creatively. Many office workers find they get far more work done in the day they work from home, or the hour before everyone else gets into the office – because they have less interruptions and distractions. Flexibility allows us to manage our day, balance the needs of our colleagues and deliver the work we need to get done.”
Fellowes UK Sales and Marketing Director Darryl Brunt added: “It’s clear that our workplace has a huge effect on our productivity and our report shows a real need for businesses to take heed. Making small changes to employee’s work station comfort can reap rewards for their wellbeing and their working life.
Employees who feel more productive working from home shouldn’t be forgotten either, everyone should be given access to the right products to ensure they can work well.” As part of its Working Well campaign, Fellowes, which is celebrating 100 years in the office product industry, aims to create an office environment which allows employees to reach their full potential.
