Something for the weekend: With the clocks going forward an hour this Sunday (28 March), the promise of long balmy evenings beckons. But now it seems employees are springing into the season with a desire to be outdoors and embracing al-fresco working.
A poll of 1,000 UK adults has found that 43% of home workers are planning to go ‘al desko’ this year by moving their laptop into their garden when the weather brightens up – a decision that could do wonders for their wellbeing.
The study by Lenovo discovered that as many as eight in 10 (79%) feel more productive when they’ve had fresh air and half believe flexibility around where they work also has a positive impact on their productivity.
And, as well as boosting their engagement, workers are indulging in the opportunity to put some summer lovin’ into their al fresco offices. More than half (51%) plan to improve their garden with better seating (45%), remodelling (44%), improved privacy (37%) and building a rainproof covered space (33%).
Home sweet home topped the list of preferred outdoor spaces to work from, with 46% voting for the back garden as their most desired location. This was followed by the beach (21%) and outdoor office, such as a shed or summer house (20%).
“As the weather starts to turn for the better, it’s only natural people will look to see how they can maximise their exposure to the outdoors,” said psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos.
“With working from home looking set to stay for many, outdoor working seems a natural solution and being outdoors can have a positive impact on productivity, too.”
Papadopoulos added that fresh air and more serene working environment with fewer distractions could “help drive positive feelings towards workers’ roles and workload”.
Here at Employee Benefits, we think being outside is one of the true joys of the season. As for working al fresco, it’s a bloomin’ marvellous idea provided the ergonomics are taken care of.