Workplace Productivity Statistics: UK 2025

Workplace productivity remains one of the most closely watched indicators of business performance in the UK. From team morale to office furniture, digital tools, and leadership style, every aspect of the working environment has the potential to influence how effectively people operate day to day. But what makes a difference, and where should leaders focus their efforts?

To answer that, we used AI-driven audience profiling to synthesise the views of 650,350 UK business leaders, based on public online discussions over the 12 months leading up to 16 June 2025. This data-driven approach reveals how productivity is being shaped, challenged, and redefined inside UK workplaces right now.

Index

  • 38% of business leaders agree office layout affects their team’s daily focus
  • Flexible seating is highly effective at boosting performance for 37% of business leaders
  • 37% of business leaders say workplace distractions are a major challenge in maintaining productivity
  • 43% of business leaders see career development as a major contributor to employee motivation
  • 52% of business leaders say flexible hours are not very effective in keeping teams focused during long projects
  • 49% of business leaders would definitely add flexible desks to their current office setup
  • 55% of business leaders encourage collaboration using shared project platforms
  • 31% of business leaders say office furniture plays a crucial role in employee performance by enhancing comfort
  • For 26% of business leaders, comfortable lounge areas are an essential way to encourage employees to take breaks
  • 62% of business leaders say the most productive time of day might vary by team
  • 34% of business leaders consider long-term flexibility important when setting up a new workspace
  • 55% of business leaders see communication platforms as an indispensable digital tool for improving workflow
  • 57% of business leaders define a productive workplace as ideally creative and energised
  • 38% of business leaders consider Glasgow a beneficial location
  • Purpose-driven work only motivates 2% to stay engaged all week
  • Methodology

What Most Affects Your Team’s Focus During The Workday?

38% of business leaders agree office layout affects their team’s daily focus

What affects team focus most often comes down to the space itself:

A few key factors affect team focus during the workday more than others. 38% agree that office layout has a direct impact on how well their team stays focused. Lighting is another major influence, with 34% strongly agreeing it plays a role in day-to-day concentration. Noise levels also stand out, with 28% agreeing that sound in the environment affects their ability to stay on task.

These patterns reflect broader research, too, with a review on the impact of office layout on productivity from Bangor University, finding that open-plan offices often reduce concentration and lead to more distractions. Noise was one of the main culprits, showing just how much the right environment supports (or sabotages) work focus.

What Type Of Workspace Do You Believe Boosts Performance Most?

Flexible seating is highly effective at boosting performance for 37% of business leaders

The choice of workspace format has a big impact on how people perform:

Flexible seating comes out on top when it comes to the type of workspace that most boosts performance, with 37% of our audience rating it as highly effective. Collaborative spaces also perform well, with 23% rating them as highly effective, but individual space still has a place. 17% say private offices are highly effective, while 13% see them as potentially beneficial. At the same time, 10% view private offices as somewhat ineffective, showing that not every format fits every team.

While hot desking supports flexibility and collaboration, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Employment experts agree it works best when there’s a clear policy in place and consideration for individual needs. While it can enhance productivity, without structure, it risks doing the opposite.

What Challenges Do You Face In Maintaining Productivity?

37% of business leaders say workplace distractions are a major challenge in maintaining productivity

Productivity dips for all sorts of reasons, and a few come up more often than others:

By far, the biggest issue in maintaining productivity is workplace distractions. 37% of our audience sees distractions as a major challenge, and 17% feel it is a significant issue. This aligns with studies that show 15% of UK workers admit to spending two hours of the working day distracted, and 41% rank colleagues chatting as the top workplace distraction.

Poor time management is another common hurdle. 4% of our audience see it as a major challenge, 16% as a significant issue, and 13% call it a minor concern. Low morale also plays a role, with 13% saying it’s a major challenge. When energy dips or motivation feels low, it can affect individual performance and the entire team’s space.

Which Factor Contributes Most To Employee Motivation?

43% of business leaders see career development as a major contributor to employee motivation

There’s no single formula for motivation, but certain drivers are more powerful:

Several factors contribute to employee motivation, but career development tops the list, with 43% viewing it as a major contributor and 4% saying it’s an important factor. This lines up with findings from the LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report UK, which highlights career progress as the number one reason people feel motivated to learn.

Team support also plays a meaningful role. 26% see it as a major contributor to motivation, and 23% view it as an important factor. Recognition and feedback rank lower, with 2% calling it a major contributor and 1% seeing it as a minor influence. Only 1% identify clear goals as a major contributor, showing that while structure matters, people are often more driven by relationships and personal growth.

What Helps Your Team Stay Focused During Long Projects?

52% of business leaders say flexible hours are not very effective in keeping teams focused during long projects

Sustained focus during long projects often depends on the right mix of structure and support:

Keeping teams focused during long projects comes down to flexibility, structure, and environment. Flexible hours play a central role, with 13% calling them essential and 11% saying they are helpful. Conversely, 52% of our audience feel that flexible hours are not very effective, suggesting that timing alone isn’t enough to sustain focus over time.

Comfortable spaces are considered essential by 10%, reinforcing the idea that physical environment can support sustained concentration, while clear milestones round out the picture, rated essential by 3% and helpful by 9%.

What Feature Would You Add To Your Current Office Setup?

49% of business leaders would definitely add flexible desks to their current office setup

Some features make a big difference to how a workspace feels and functions:

When it comes to adding features to current office setups, 49% of business leaders say they would definitely add flexible desks, making it the most popular choice by far. The rise of flexible furniture is already shaping workplace design trends, and adaptable spaces that allow employees to shift between tasks and zones are now central to hybrid-friendly layouts.

Ergonomic furniture also ranks high, with 31% saying they would definitely add it to their workspace. 13% would definitely add larger meeting rooms, while 8% want more natural light. This also aligns with workplace trends as natural light and biophilic elements are now core components of workplace wellbeing.

How Do You Encourage Collaboration Among Your Team?

55% of business leaders encourage collaboration using shared project platforms

There’s more than one way to spark team collaboration:

Encouraging team collaboration comes down to what helps people work better together. Shared project platforms lead the way, with 55% calling them essential. This correlates with PwC’s report on Current Programme and Project Management Practices, which highlights a clear link between collaboration tools and real-world results. With 77% of companies using project management software, it’s closely tied to better project performance.

Dedicated team spaces also carry weight, with 23% saying they’re essential to fostering collaboration. But it’s not a universal fix, with 13% considering them unnecessary. Brainstorming sessions come in slightly lower, with 9% rating them as essential. While they may not be top of the list, they still help keep ideas moving and energy high.

What Role Does Office Furniture Play In Employee Performance?

31% of business leaders say office furniture plays a crucial role in employee performance by enhancing comfort

The right office furniture can make a noticeable difference in how people feel and perform at work:

Office furniture plays a bigger role in employee performance than many people realise. Comfort enhancement leads the way, with 31% describing it as crucial. The benefits of good furniture design go beyond how it feels, with 10% saying it’s crucial to promoting focus, and another 9% calling this an important benefit.

Supporting posture is another key contributor. 9% rate it as crucial and 13% say it’s important, highlighting just how much the right furniture can influence physical wellbeing. In fact, this has wider implications across the UK workforce. 543,000 workers in Great Britain were affected by work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 2023/24, reinforcing that posture is a matter of health as much as performance.

Movement matters as well. 7% say that encouraging movement is crucial, while 12% see it as important. And while reducing fatigue may not be top of the list, 9% still consider it an important factor.

What Encourages Employees To Take Breaks Effectively?

For 26% of business leaders, comfortable lounge areas are an essential way to encourage employees to take breaks

The way employees take breaks effectively is shaped by physical settings and company priorities:

The UK law gives workers the right to one uninterrupted 20-minute rest break during a shift longer than six hours, but what encourages employees to take breaks effectively varies widely.

Company culture seems to be the biggest factor, though not always in a good way. For 45% of our audience, it’s not a priority, but another 18% describe it as helpful. Comfortable lounge areas also stand out. 26% say these are essential for effective breaks. For some, the outdoors plays a part too. 11% say access to outdoor space is helpful, which is understandable as being outdoors can boost mental health.

What Time Of Day Is Most Productive In Your Workplace?

62% of business leaders say the most productive time of day might vary by team

There’s no one specific time when people do their best work:

Microsoft’s Work Trend Index found that digital work activity often peaks around 11 am, particularly across email and collaboration tools, but the most productive time of day isn’t the same for every workplace. In fact, 62% of our audience say it might vary depending on the team, while 28% say it definitely does. Just 1% think it’s unlikely to vary by team.

Early mornings do work well for some, with 8% saying they’re definitely the most productive time and 1% saying they might be. By contrast, late afternoons don’t show any traction at all.

What Is Your Biggest Priority When Setting Up A New Workspace?

34% of business leaders consider long-term flexibility important when setting up a new workspace

New workspaces mean new choices:

When setting up a new workspace, priorities vary, but flexibility leads the pack. Long-term flexibility is definitely the top priority for 17 % and an important consideration for 34 %, while only 4 % say it is not a priority.

Team needs come next. They are definitely the top priority for 17 % and an important consideration for 14 %. Brand consistency follows, with 12 % saying it is definitely the top priority. Comfort and function round out the list, with 2 % saying it is definitely the top priority.

Combined, these choices point toward adaptable, people-centred spaces. Organisations are designing work areas that flex with changing team sizes, shifting workflows, and evolving brand expressions, ensuring the workspace keeps pace with how people work.

What Digital Tool Improves Your Workflow The Most?

55% of business leaders see communication platforms as an indispensable digital tool for improving workflow

Behind every productive team is a digital tool they can’t work without:

Digital tools play a central role in improving workflow, and the data shows that communication platforms are indispensable for 55% of our audience. That emphasis makes sense given that Grammarly’s 2025 annual report on business communication found poor communication costs businesses £6,823 per employee each year.

Project dashboards also play a key role in supporting efficiency, with 24% seeing them as indispensable. Task managers round out the picture. While they don’t top the list, they’re somewhat helpful for 21%, showing that even lighter-touch tools can play a part in supporting day-to-day flow.

How Do You Define A Productive Workplace?

57% of business leaders define a productive workplace as ideally creative and energised

What makes a workplace truly productive depends on more than just how much gets done:

Many business leaders agree that the definition of a productive workspace is one that’s creative and energised. While 9% view this positively, 57% describe it as their ideal setup. Another 2% feel they haven’t quite reached it yet, and 32% say this kind of environment doesn’t suit their team’s needs.

Only 1% define their ideal workplace as adaptable and well-equipped, pointing to a clear preference for spaces that spark energy rather than simply support function. That aligns with the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s 2024 report on The Power of Strategic Productivity, which calls for a shift away from seeing productivity as working harder or producing more in less time. Instead, it defines productivity as the smart use of resources to create better outcomes for people, businesses, and the economy.

Which Region Is Your Workplace Located In?

38% of business leaders consider Glasgow a beneficial location

Business leaders are clear about which cities work:

Glasgow emerges as the most popular region overall for business leaders in our audience. It’s seen as strategically located by 25% and beneficially located by 38%. Still, 21% say it’s not the best fit, and 4% consider it an unsuitable location.

Manchester is considered beneficially located by 2%, while 1% say it’s not the best fit. London follows a similar pattern, with 1% describing it as beneficially located and another 1% saying it’s not the best fit. In Leeds, 2% feel the location is beneficial, and 1% describe it as strategically located, while Birmingham has just 1% saying it’s not the best fit.

While Glasgow leads by a wide margin, the rest of the picture is more dispersed, reflecting the growing complexity of location decisions in a hybrid, decentralised working world.

What Inspires Your Team To Stay Engaged Throughout The Week?

Purpose-driven work only motivates 2% to stay engaged all week

Sustained engagement is shaped by the motivators leaders choose to prioritise:

Inspiring teams to stay engaged throughout the week often comes down to the right mix of support, growth, and purpose. Team bonding and skill development emerge as the strongest drivers, with 23% of business leaders calling each a major motivator. An additional 9% see team bonding as a positive influence, while 5% say it’s not very impactful. Skill development draws further support, with 10% viewing it as a positive influence.

Positive leadership plays a clear role. It’s a major motivator for 12% and a positive influence for 8%, while 6% say it’s not very impactful. Some leaders also point to autonomy and trust, with 2% calling it a major motivator and 1% describing it as a positive influence. Purpose-driven work rounds out the picture, with 2% viewing it as a major motivator for keeping teams engaged throughout the week.

These findings show that connection, learning, and strong leadership remain top priorities. In a country where just 10% of employees are actively engaged at work, the choices UK business leaders make around culture and development carry real weight.

By analysing the views of over 600,000 business leaders, we’ve gained a clearer picture of what really drives performance and where opportunity lies. Overall, these insights offer valuable direction for any organisation aiming to build smarter, more resilient work environments.

Methodology

This research was conducted by Push, using an independent sample of 650,350 business leaders in the United Kingdom, opinions across X, Reddit, TikTok, LinkedIn, Threads, and  BlueSky. Responses are collected within a 50% confidence interval and a 5% margin of error. Results are derived from opinions expressed online, not actual questions answered by people in the sample.

About the representative sample:
  • 58% of business leaders in our audience are aged 55 and above.
  • 60% identify as female, while 40% identify as male.