Getting stuck into a 9-5 routine can be emotionally and mentally draining. A new formula could change that, however, as scientists have discovered that workers need to break for 17 minutes every 52 minutes they have worked.

Finding distractions at work may seem like a waste of company time, but finding time to rest the brain is important in order to boost productivity. Bored workers staring at their screens have a lower output overall than those who take regular breaks and intersperse the daily workload with stimulating alternatives.

Whether viewing cute animals on YouTube or carrying out a few necessary personal tasks such as online banking, giving staff a little time to break away from their work actually increases overall concentration, boosting productivity and social connections with colleagues. Working smarter is more productive than working longer hours, the study has revealed.

‘The best way to refresh your focus is to step away and take a break,’ says productivity expert Cathy Sexton, and the study backs this up. The most productive workers were the ones who spent their rest time completely away from their desks, catching up with colleagues or reading a book.

Investing in your workforce a little to help them take productivity breaks could see huge returns, both in productive output and also in having a happier staff overall. The more positive an environment, the more motivated your staff. Staples Advantage offers a range of products to help improve your office environment, for example ergonomic technology stands for comfortable working and kitchen essentials for those all-important coffee breaks.

Contact us now and let us help you improve the productivity in your office.

October 28th 2014 | Back to Industry Insights