Survey offers insight into employee desires.

Viking, providers of office supplies, have compiled results from nine surveys conducted across the last three years to reveal what UK workers need to perform at their best. The surveys consulted almost 14,000 people about their workplaces, what keeps them engaged and what they struggle with. Topics from mental health support to art in the office were covered to reveal what needs improving.

Viking has used the data to produce a guide for employers, highlighting the most significant needs and wants of what today’s employees. The top 10 demands uncovered, ranked by how many people want them, are:

1. Employees need more information about Display Screen Equipment Safety:

• 58 per cent of British workers are sat for over five hours a day at work
• 8 in 10 (82 per cent) worry about the impact this will have on their health

2. Workers need more support on mental health:

• 6 in 10 (60 per cent) workers have negative thoughts about their job more than once a week
• Almost half of employees (48 per cent) work over their contracted hours at least once a week
• 43 per cent say they feel unpleasant pressure to succeed at least once a week

3. Managers need mental health training:

• Nearly Two-thirds (65 per cent) of managers have never had useful mental health training
• The same amount has been approached with a mental health problem

4. Employees want to work remotely:

• 6 in 10 people (60 per cent) want to work from home for some of their working week

5. Lunch breaks need to be protected:

• Almost two-thirds (65 per cent) work through their lunch break at least once a week

6. Half of people (51 per cent) want to work a four-day week, working longer hours Monday to Thursday
7. Offices need more art:

• Half of people (50 per cent) think every office should have art
• 53 per cent think it makes them happier and less stressed

8. Workers need more information about social media policies:

• 51 per cent didn’t even know if their workplace had one

9. Annoying office habits should be curbed:

• Colleagues being late, complaining all the time and eating smelly foods are amongst the things that made 4 in 10 people (41 per cent) think about leaving their job

10. Employers should not ban social media:

• 29 per cent say it would make them less productive

“Employers need to be aware of what their workers want if they plan on recruiting and retaining the best staff,” said Andy Jones, SEO and digital marketing strategist at Viking.

“Our research highlights things to improve and implement to achieve this goal. Employees need to feel supported and heard in their organisations and responding to this information will help employers do this.”