Great news – playing games at work could actually help boost productivity
New research from Candy Crush Saga has uncovered an explanation as to why the app could be so popular, with employees reportedly experiencing greater productivity after a short gaming break.
The research, conducted by parent company King, found that more than two-thirds (69%) of UK office workers play games on their phones during working hours, with around a third claiming it helps them refocus (34%). or de-stress (30%).
Despite the clear benefits, many employees remain afraid of what their boss might think (up to 70% of Gen Z workers).
Does gaming help productivity?
It’s a common school of thought that regular breaks from work can be beneficial for productivity, but some employees fail to make the most of the time away from their desk.
Only around a third (37%) of UK office workers take regular breaks, while only three in five (59%) Boomer workers take their full lunch break, compared to four in five (81%) of Gen Z workers .
British workers have previously come under fire for relatively poor productivity, but Candy Crush Saga believes this could be partly the result of overwork.
It found that almost three quarters (70%) of employees were aware of what their boss might think if they took breaks outside their formal, fixed or assigned times.
The anxiety has led many employees to take secret breaks, with four in five (80%) heading to places like the kitchen, bathroom or a meeting room to reset.
The study quotes career expert Catri Barrett, who acknowledges that employees cannot always give 100% effort.
Barrett says:
βThere is a common belief and fear among older generations that taking breaks at work can be seen as ‘lazy’ or as a sign of a lack of dedication.β
While we’re not entirely sure that mainstream gaming can be the answer to Britain’s productivity crisis, the research certainly highlights the need for employees and employers to explore different working methods.