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A recent survey by workplace product supplier AJ Products has shed light on the critical role of desk breaks in supporting employee wellbeing. The study aimed to examine whether UK workers adhere to desk-break guidelines, while analysing variations by age, region, and profession.
Workplace health experts have long promoted the importance of hourly desk breaks, highlighting how standing, stretching, or taking brief walks can improve physical and mental health.
The survey uncovered concerning patterns: over half of UK workers fail to take essential breaks, even as the 2024 ASICS Global State of Mind study revealed that two hours of uninterrupted desk work can harm mental health, and four hours can increase stress by 18%.
Helen Beebe, Managing Director of AJ Products (UK), voiced alarm over these findings, stating, ‘Nearly a third of workers go for 3 hours or more without a break and this is a worrying statistic. This data underscores the urgent need to prioritise workplace wellbeing initiatives.’
Desk Break Frequency: 41.5% of UK desk workers take at least one break per hour.
Age Gaps: Only 31.6% of workers aged 25-34 take hourly breaks, making them the least likely age group to do so.
Workplace Type: Hybrid workers are least likely to take hourly breaks (38.8%), compared to 41.4% of office workers and 44.9% of fully remote workers.
Regional Variations: Cardiff leads with 68.4% of workers taking hourly breaks.
Professional Trends: Travel agents are the most likely to take breaks, with 66.7% reporting hourly interruptions.
Helen Beebe added, ‘At AJ Products, our global mission is to bring happiness at work by improving workplace wellbeing for both physical and mental health. This survey has highlighted that the key to achieving a better workplace health is to have movement regularly dispersed throughout the day. Frequent desk breaks are just one element of this, and probably the easiest to implement, with far reaching benefits for mental health and efficacy.’
The findings expose significant disparities in workplace wellness practices across the UK, with young professionals particularly at risk. Supporting education about regular breaks for younger workers is vital to safeguarding long-term health. The results point to an urgent need for healthier workplace habits across the board, ensuring all employees benefit from better physical and mental wellbeing.
