60% of Brits Admitted They Couldn’t Go a Full Workday Without Checking Their Phone – Over a Third Spend 94 Hours a Year on Their Phone at Work

• 60% of Brits admitted they couldn’t go a full workday without checking their phone.
• Over a third of Brits could be spending 94 hours a year on their phone which is nearly 4 whole days.
• A third of workers check their phones every time they get a notification.
• 88% of respondents said they can use their phones freely at work.
• Over two-fifths of workers feel more productive in the morning.
• 41% of employees feel pressured to stay constantly connected to emails, Slack, or calls.
• More than one in four say social media use impacts their productivity.
• 39% of workers prefer a mix of taking breaks and long uninterrupted work sessions to manage focus.
• Only 13% of workers use apps or tools to help stay focused.
• 38% of respondents feel more productive working from home, but 25% find themselves more distracted.
• The full research can be found at https://www.instantprint.co.uk/printspiration/be-inspired/battling-workplace-distractions

Could You Survive a Workday Without Your Phone? 60% of Brits Say No

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.

A Third of Workers Check Their Phones Every Time They Get a Notification

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.

The Pressure to Stay Connected: 41% of Workers Feel Pressure

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.

More Than One in Four Say Social Media Use Impacts Their 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.

The Biggest Workplace Distractions RANKED

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.

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

25% of Brits Find Themselves More Distracted at Home

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.

36% of Respondents Said They Regularly Take Breaks To Manage Their Focus

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.

43% of Workers Reported Being More Productive in the Morning

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.