Over 80% of employees working from dwelling admit they watch TV on the job

Over eight in 10 UK employees who work from home have admitted to watching TV on company time, according to a survey.

Amongst more than 2,000 hybrid workers took part in the study, which looked into Brits’ working from home confessions, Gen Z workers – age 18 to 24 – were the most likely to switch on the television while working.

Furthermore, if found that those who do take the opportunity to watch television at work clock up a whopping two hours of screen time on average.

The vast majority – 82 per cent – of respondents admitted to dual screening, or giving up on work altogether, to watch television as they work from home. 

And for Gen Z only, less than one in 10 hybrid employees get through a whole shift without getting distracted, as 91 per cent said they tune into something at some point. 

82 per cent of hybrid UK employees admitted they watch TV on company time with Gen Z and men were among the worst at staying on the job at hand (stock image)

Perhaps indicative of Gen Z being the most likely group to watch something at work, streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube were the most popular thing to put on 

This Morning, Come Dine with Me and Homes Under the Hammer were among the most popular TV picks for people when they are supposed to be working.

However, perhaps indicative of Gen Z being the most likely group to watch something at work, streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube were the most popular thing to put on.

With 49 per cent of people who watch TV when WFH saying streaming platforms were regular viewing, this was the clear winner over BBC Breakfast (28 per cent).

That means, in those cases, employees are actively seeking out something to watch, rather than working whilst the TV is on in the background.

As well as gen Z being particular offenders, men are culprits more often than women, with male workers spending on average 19 minutes extra each day in front of the TV compared to their female counterparts.

According to The Times, the survey also found workers in London watch more than anywhere else, averaging nearly three hours per day.

These figures could raise further concerns for employers, after a recent study found working from home does not make people any more productive.

This is despite 87 per cent of employees insisting they are more productive if they are not travelling into the office. 

Stuart Deavall, a digital marketing manager at TonerGiant, who commissioned the latest study, said: ‘It’s interesting to see that three years after the beginning of the pandemic, the priorities and attitudes of Brits towards their work-life balance continue to shift.’