Three quarters (75%) of Yorkshire-based employee respondents believe a more supportive workplace environment would make them happier and more productive at work, according to research by Team Activ.
Its survey of 500 office employees across Yorkshire also found that 18% of respondents suffer from stress or negative thoughts while at work.
The research also found:
- 18% of respondents who work in marketing, advertising, digital or PR roles often suffer from negative thoughts and stress in the office, followed by 14% of sales and recruitment professional respondents, and 13% of respondents in the retail and hospitality sector.
- 35% of respondents cite a lack of employer support as to why they suffer from stress or negative thoughts while at work, and 40% name being worked too hard as a reason for feeling this way.
- 43% of respondents experience extreme tiredness while at their desks, and 32% frequently have mid-afternoon ‘mental slumps’.
- 16% of respondents take their full allotted hour for lunch, and 9% take less than five minutes each day.
- 40% of respondents are offered employer-led wellbeing perks, such as gym memberships or free fruit, and 76% of respondents take up these benefits.
- 19% of respondents who are based in York often suffer stress and negative thoughts in the office, compared to 18% of respondents in Bradford, 14% of respondents in Hull, 10% of respondents in Leeds, and 5% of respondents in Sheffield.
- 67% of respondents believe that getting more exercise each day would increase their happiness and productivity at work, 60% feel that taking more breaks would help, as well as having a better diet while at work (58%), and drinking less caffeine (49%).
Darren Padgett (pictured), director and founder at Team Activ, said: “Sitting at a desk all day is hugely detrimental to health, so the more activity employees can do, the better. However, what’s more concerning is the bigger issues this can cause; from eating unhealthy foods to feeling tired at work and even depressed.
“While of course employees need to act in a sensible and responsible way, the onus is also on employers who need to lead from the front, ensuring their staff are happy, healthy, and motivated.”
