With workplace distractions on the rise and constant connectivity becoming the norm, UK employees are questioning how their focus is impacted throughout the day. From frequent phone checks to the pressure of staying responsive, our survey of over 1,000 workers reveals the challenges of maintaining productivity in a digital world.
Whether it's navigating social media temptations or balancing uninterrupted work sessions, we dive into how Brits are managing their attention and what’s really getting in the way of a productive workday. Ready to find out how distracted you really are?
Could You Survive a Workday Without Your Phone?
In today’s digital age, our phones have become indispensable – but could you go a full workday without picking it up? We asked Brits this very question, and the responses were pretty divided.
Surprisingly, 39% of people believe they could get through the day without succumbing to the temptation of their mobile devices. That's almost two in five workers who think they could stay focused and avoid their phones entirely – an impressive display of self-control in a world where we're constantly connected.
However, the majority aren’t so sure. A significant 60% admitted that they wouldn’t be able to resist the urge to check their phones during work hours. Whether it’s to respond to messages, scroll through social media, or check in on the latest news, the idea of staying off their phones for an entire day seems nearly impossible for more than half of the workforce.
What’s the Policy on Phone Use in the Workplace?
When it comes to workplace rules, most employees have pretty relaxed guidelines. A staggering 88% said they can use their phone freely during work hours, with little to no restrictions from their employers. In environments like this, it’s easy to see why distractions can happen, as workers aren’t limited in their phone use.
Yet, not everyone has the same luxury. Around 6% reported they are required to keep their phones away and only use them on breaks. These workplaces seem to have stricter rules in place, likely to encourage focus and productivity.
Interestingly, a cheeky 4% admitted they aren’t technically allowed to use their phones during work hours – but they do anyway!
Meanwhile, a small 3% said they don’t have access to their phones at all during work hours, meaning they’re completely cut off from the digital world while on the job. For these workers, distractions from phones aren’t even an option – whether they like it or not!
How Often Do You Check Your Phone During Work Hours?
It's no secret that our phones are our constant companions, but just how often are Brits reaching for their devices during the workday? We asked our survey respondents how frequently they check their phones while on the clock.
When asked, a third of respondents (33.33%) admitted to checking their phone whenever a notification pops up. Whether it's a message, social media alert, or app update, these notifications clearly have a strong pull, causing many to immediately shift focus from work to their screens.
Surprisingly, 17% of Brits confessed to checking their phones multiple times an hour – that's at least every few minutes! For these workers, the temptation of their phones is a constant battle, leading to frequent distractions throughout the day.
Other respondents seem to be a bit more disciplined, though the habit still persists. 15% check their phones every hour like clockwork, while another 15% said they peek at their screens every few hours. It's clear that even without constant alerts, many workers still feel compelled to check in regularly.
However, some Brits are a bit more restrained. A further 15% said they limit their phone use strictly to breaks, proving that it is possible to resist the allure of those notifications – at least for part of the day!
And finally, a small but impressive 4% of respondents claimed they don’t check their phone at all during work hours. These workers are a rare breed, mastering the art of staying focused and avoiding distractions altogether.
If more than a third of us check our phones every time we get a notification, how does that stack up?
A study by musicMagpie highlights a constant barrage of notifications with the average person receiving 146 notifications daily, translating to one notification every ten minutes.
If we take the average work day of 8 hours and one notification every 10 minutes that’s 6 notifications every hour, over an 8-hour shift that could be up to 48 notifications.
Say every time we pick up our phone we spend just 30 seconds checking the notifications, replying to a message or hitting the like button. That's almost 25 minutes a day spent looking at our phones at work.
In an average 5-day working week that’s just over 2 hours a week.
The standard number is typically around 47 working weeks in a year when working a full-time job, times that by 2 hours a week - Over a third of Brits could be spending 94 hours a year on their phone which is nearly 4 whole days.
If we then take the mean average UK weekly wage (including bonuses) across all industry sectors (in England and Wales) according to the ONS (published September 2024) as £690 - phone usage could be causing businesses to lose £550 worth of working time for every one in three employees.
Morning vs. Afternoon Productivity: When Are We at Our Best?
Productivity can fluctuate depending on the time of day, and our survey asked respondents whether they notice a difference in focus between mornings and afternoons.
It turns out, the early bird does catch the worm for many! 43% of workers reported being more productive in the morning, feeling sharp and focused when the day begins. On the other hand, 14% said they hit their stride in the afternoon, hitting peak productivity later in the day. Meanwhile, an equal 43% don’t notice a difference at all, staying consistent in their work habits regardless of the time of day.
The Pressure to Stay Connected: Always On?
In an age of constant communication, many employees feel the pressure to stay connected to their work. 41% of respondents admitted they feel pressured by colleagues or managers to stay constantly responsive to emails, Slack messages, or calls. On the flip side, a majority 59% said they don’t feel this expectation hanging over them, allowing them to manage their focus more freely.
Does Social Media Affect Productivity?
Social media can be one of the biggest workplace distractions – but does it impact productivity? When asked, 26% felt that social media use during work hours negatively affects their output. Surprisingly, though, a larger 51% said it doesn’t impact their work at all, with 22% stating it’s not applicable to them. It seems opinions are split on whether the temptation to scroll actually harms workplace efficiency.
Breaks vs. Uninterrupted Work: What Keeps Us Focused?
Taking breaks is key to staying sharp, but do workers prefer regular breaks or long, uninterrupted work sessions? 36% of respondents said they regularly take breaks to manage their focus, while 24% prefer long stretches of work without interruptions. For a balanced approach, 39% said they mix both strategies, taking breaks as needed but also enjoying periods of deep, focused work.
With so many apps and tools available to help maintain focus, we were curious to see how many people actually use them. Only 13% said they use focus apps or tools, while a large majority of 72% don’t rely on them at all. 15% said they sometimes use tools to help minimise distractions, but it’s not a regular part of their routine.
Alongside digital tools and apps designed to boost productivity, some people are turning to trusted, low-tech methods like noise-cancelling solutions. Loop earplugs, for instance, are becoming a go-to for workers seeking to block out distractions and maintain focus. With their ability to reduce background noise without completely cutting off conversations, these earplugs offer a simple yet effective way to stay productive in noisy environments.
Home vs. Office: Where Are We Most Productive?
As remote working has become more common, we asked Brits whether they feel more or less distracted at home compared to the office. Surprisingly, 38% said they feel more productive working from home, enjoying the freedom and flexibility that comes with it. However, 25% said they find themselves more distracted at home, while 29% felt it didn’t make much difference to their focus either way. 8% of respondents felt the question wasn’t applicable to their situation.
How Do We Minimise Distractions?
When it comes to staying focused, everyone has their own methods. The most popular strategy was listening to music, with 46% of workers using tunes to block out distractions and stay on task. 36% rely on the environment of working from home to help them focus, while 22% said they put their phone away to avoid distractions. Other strategies include using noise-cancelling headphones (10%), working from a meeting room or booth (8%), and even working outside (6%).
Some other creative solutions respondents shared included:
- Working in a quiet space with as little noise as possible
- Simply focusing on the work itself
- Using a garden pod or working in a warehouse to avoid distractions
- Keeping doors closed to block out interruptions
- Gaining focus from the energy of others in the office when everyone is hard at work
The Biggest Workplace Distractions
Lastly, we asked respondents to rank their biggest workplace distractions. The most common culprits? Our phones, social media, and the general buzz of a busy office all made the list, underscoring just how challenging it can be to stay focused in a digital, fast-paced world.
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