UK workers are most productive at 10:30am

According to new research by Peninsula the employment law firm, 82 % of UK workers are more productive at 10:30am than at any other time of the day but at the same time 76% of British office workers admit they turn off from work at 3:30pm. Peninsula's survey took into account the opinion of 2736 office workers across the UK throughout July, August and September.

Alan Price, Head of HR Practice at Peninsula today said, Obviously most workers are more productive first thing in the morning whilst reaching their peak mid morning. I think it's pretty clear from those working conventional 9 to 5 hours that people start to wind down at 3:30pm. People told us they lose focus after 3:30pm and start planning what they intend doing after hours, such as what they will be eating at dinner, where they are going out that evening or indeed spending the rest of the working day surfing on the internet. It seems workers feel they have completed most of their work by this time so they can afford to switch off. Unfortunately this can be frustrating for company bosses because they pay their staff for work hours contracted.

Price continues It can be difficult for businesses to manage how productive workers are in the afternoon, supervising workers to see if they are still working hard at 4pm is probably going to prove difficult. One has to consider how much financially it is costing UK employers if their workers wind down at 3:30pm.

There are a number of options that bosses can take to ensure workers maximise their productivity but employee's also need to understand they get paid to work a full day. said Mr Price.

Consider introducing initiatives which are achievable that may result in a slightly earlier finish time or will result in a weekly prize rewarded for hard work. I am sure by introducing initiatives it will help to ensure productivity is balanced throughout the day rather than just in the morning. Employers need to ensure that staff are given regular rest breaks and chance to escape the office, if only for a few minutes so that they do not become bored or preoccupied with other matters.

Mr Price concludes, Also one has to remember that even when an individual is constantly under the pressure of work, stress can build up leading to long term problems. Not only that but employees can be affected by constantly using a computer, as a number of health and safety queries are linked, such as poor eyesight, back problems, etc, which can also have a detrimental effect on productivity.