Time for the afternoon slump: Study pinpoints precise time office workers are at their least productive

• Office workers hit a slump just over an hour after midday, research has shown
• On average, tired slumps are felt three times during the course of a work day 
• Too much time on computers and not taking enough breaks are major causes 

Those of us who reach for a cup of coffee in the morning to get us through the day at work might want to leave it until 1.27pm.

For that’s the time office workers hit a slump, a study has revealed. Researchers claim to have established the precise times staff are at their most – and least – productive.

From a peak at 10.22am, they hit their first slump at 1.27pm, followed by another at 2.06pm. The study by agency Office Freedom found employees felt tired three times on average over a working day, with spending too much time at a computer and not taking enough breaks the main reasons for this.

On average, tired slumps are felt by office staff three times during the course of a work day

 A spokesperson for Office Freedom said: ‘It can be so hard to maintain focus during the working day.

‘There’s a host of different distractions which can take our mind away from our work and what we’re supposed to be concentrating on.

‘Having a work environment which helps you be your most productive is important as it makes sure you’re making the most of your time.’

The research, carried out by OnePoll, found more than half (54 per cent) agreed they thrived around colleagues in the office compared to working from home by themselves.

And 38 per cent said being in an office environment helped boost their productivity, compared to 22 per cent who felt it hindered their ability to work.

For almost two-thirds of workers (65 per cent), being around colleagues is the best part of being in the office.

Of those who said being in an office helped their effectiveness, almost half (48 per cent) said it was due to a better working environment and being around others (48 per cent).

However, noise levels (36 per cent), room temperature (32 per cent) and colleagues asking questions (32 per cent) were the main drains on productivity in the workplace for those affected.

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