Reading time: 2 Minutes
How much time do you spend at the office? Looking at the stats, it's probably too much. Regus research shows 42% of us spend less time at home or with family than we used to because of work. That's often because we've taken on extra tasks that would otherwise have been done by a new employee, with around 70% of Brazilian and Japanese employees citing this as their main reason.
For fast-growing companies, lower headcounts and rapid growth trajectories mean staff have to work across several functions – but if work-life balance suffers, so does motivation. And poor motivation is known to lead to decreased productivity.
So how can you keep your employees happy and productive? Here are four signs to look out for to see if you or your team are spending too much time in the office – and what you can do about it.
You’re feeling out-of-shape
Problem: 70% of office workers don't do enough exercise, which, according to studies by Cambridge University, increases the risk of heart disease and makes it more difficult for the body to regulate energy balance.
Solution: switching to flexible hours makes it easier to get in a gym session or go for a run before or after hitting the office.
You’re fighting tiredness
Problem: long commutes can take their toll – and the daily early mornings can mean that you feel more and more fatigued as time goes on.
Solution: if it's crunch time, you might not feel like you can cut the workload, but letting workers use shared workspaces closer to their home cuts the commute time. This then gives them more leisure hours.
You don’t get enough family time
Problem: if you know more about the office night cleaner's family than yours, it's probably time to re-evaluate.
Solution: voucher schemes and facility discounts can encourage your employees to take up a hobby – which studies show makes them happier and more relaxed.
You've forgotten how to stand up straight
Problem: using a computer for an average of around six hours can often mean you overextend your shoulder and back muscles by leaning forwards to look at a screen – placing pressure on your spine and back muscles
Solution: try doing regular exercises to loosen up your muscles, and take frequent breaks from your desk. Also make sure to have your computer at eye height to keep your back and your neck straight, helping to stop you from slouching downwards.
