According to the survey of 570 working Americans from Workplace Options and Public Policy Polling, most American workers believe their work productivity does not take a hit during the summertime. One in five respondents (19 percent) admitted their personal productivity suffers when the weather is nice, while one in four (26 percent) notice more easily distracted or less efficient co-workers.
According to Workplace Options, the results might stem from the trend of employers promoting flexible work arrangements and helping workers strike a work-life balance.
"These results are really a testament to how far employers have come in meeting the demands of a changing workforce," said Dean Debnam, chief executive officer of Workplace Options. "The urge to leave early for a long weekend hasn't gone away, but employers are offering tools that promote work-life balance and flexibility so employees have the best of both worlds. They can get their work done and still find time for personal pursuits."
Additional key survey findings include:
· 23 percent of workers said their employer, as a whole, was less productive during summer months, compared to 53 percent that reported no seasonal effect.
· 25 percent said their company offers schedule flexibility for parents juggling summer camps, vacations and children out of school.
· 52 percent reported that there was actually an increase in workload during summer months.
· 79 percent of Millennial workers (ages 18-29) reporting that flexible summer schedules make employers more attractive.
"Summer still brings distractions; it always will," Debnam said. "But employers are finding that if they are flexible enough to accommodate their employees' needs outside the office, their productivity and commitment to the job remains high, regardless of what the weather's like outside."