Member Article

Playing with colleagues boosts productivity

Taking part in non-work activity with colleagues is boosting productivity and individuals’ pay packets across the North East according to new research from The National Lottery.

The study has revealed that getting together with colleagues outside of the office to socialise, form a quiz team, or play sports, can make a difference in the UK’s business environment. The survey of workers and bosses in the North East showed that just under three quarters of those questioned (74%) believe that activity that binds people together outside the working environment boosts productivity and gives the business a head start.

A National Lottery spokesperson said: “UK businesses are always looking for a competitive edge and it seems that the answer could lie outside the office. This research proves that building links between staff and encouraging team-building – whether out socially or by creating common interests such as a lottery syndicate – can make a real difference to business performance. “As well as increasing productivity, the fact 1 in 4 lottery jackpots are won by syndicates also goes to show that playing together can have its own rewards.”

Many of those questioned reckoned ‘extra-curricular’ activities could increase pay packets and contribute towards career progression. Good relations beyond the office were felt by 5% of respondents in the North East to have helped them to achieve a promotion and 7% felt it had made a real difference to their earnings.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .