Productivity breaks out

Citation

(2004), "Productivity breaks out", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 53 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijppm.2004.07953aad.007

Productivity breaks out

Productivity breaks out

A new survey by Roneo Systems Furniture shows that businesses which provide breakout rooms for staff can profit from better staff morale and productivity. An overwhelming 88 per cent of UK workers polled want an official breakout room in their offices, according to the survey.

But, says Roneo, this does not mean employees are out for a quick catnap. The survey reveals that 81 per cent believe that taking regular breaks while at work enhances their productivity.

"However", adds the company, "it seems that corporate Britain still has a long way to go if it wants to improve employee morale and get the best out of its people. Of those surveyed, nearly 70 per cent claimed that their employer did not provide any kind of breakout area".

Paul Guze, sales and marketing director at Roneo, comments: "Our findings demonstrate just how important it is for businesses to invest in staff. A growing number of people end up eating lunch at their desks or simply working through the day without any kind of break at all. When you consider that 56 per cent of those surveyed said they would use a breakout room for lunch, the message to British business is clear. Provide regular breaks and breakout facilities and you enhance staff morale, and, by association, productivity".

Key findings of the survey include:

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  69 per cent of those surveyed did not have a breakout room for people to relax at work;

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  more than 50 per cent of those who used a breakout room at work stayed in there for between 10 and 20 minutes;

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  88 per cent of respondents said they would use breakout rooms if they had one;

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  81 per cent of people believed that taking breaks enhanced productivity; and

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  63 per cent claimed that they did not feel guilty about taking a break at work.