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

17 January 2023 , 09:00

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Two-thirds of employees say being around colleagues is the best part about working in an office (Image: Morsa Images/Getty Images)

Office workers will typically complain about feeling tired three times a day – and will hit a slump as early as 1:27pm, according to a study.

Nearly six in ten (58%) of those who work in an office environment will experience highs and lows of productivity throughout the day, and are at their most productive at 10:22am.

But the poll of 2,000 employees found their work rate will get progressively worse throughout the afternoon, with a further lull at 2:06pm.

And more than a fifth (22%) feel that working from an office, as opposed to from home, actually hinders their ability to work.

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

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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%) agreed they thrived around colleagues in the office, compared to working from home by themselves.

And 38% said being in an office environment helped boost their productivity – with almost two-thirds of workers (65%) saying that 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%) said it was due to a better working environment and being around others.

However, noise levels (36%), room temperature (32%), and colleagues asking questions (32%) 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%) and Friday (23%) the days where they had the least energy.

Drinking coffee (31%), going for a walk outside (25%), and having a cup of tea (24%), 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.

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“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.

Andrew Young