Marvin OnumonuGen Z office workers want a paid ‘Green Day’ off work every month to spend outside for their mental health, research from Ecotone found.
The poll of 2,000 UK office workers showed nearly half (48%) of younger staff called for one paid day a month to reconnect with nature.
88% of Gen Z office workers said working inside all day had a negative impact on their mental health.
A further 30% said they felt trapped behind walls and screens.
89% said working in an office was more stressful than inspiring.
33% disliked the commute, 30% hated the pressure of the office environment and 25% said they always ended up working late.
The poll also showed that 36% of 18–29-year-olds said being stuck in the office all day was depressing, while 25% said it made them anxious.
83% worried they were spending too much of their life indoors.
On average, British office workers spent more than 12 hours inside during a typical working day, with 60% reporting feeling sluggish, 56% tired, 33% frustrated and 31% stressed.
63% said they were spending more time indoors now compared to three years ago.
91% of Gen Z and millennial workers said they would prefer to work outside or in nature at least some of the time.
They believed this would boost their productivity by 52% and 51% respectively.
49% said they would be more likely to stay in a job if their manager gave them time off to spend in nature or volunteer for an environmental cause.
67% said their employer did nothing to encourage time outdoors during the working week.
When asked what would happen if they requested time outdoors, 49% said their boss would tell them to go outside at lunchtime, 27% said they would be laughed at, 26% would be told to get on with their work and 8% said they would be fired.
Ecotone announced plans to launch ‘Green Leave’, a new paid time-off scheme for non-manufacturing staff to volunteer with an environmental charity.
The scheme offers three paid days off a year to spend outdoors, learn more about nature and support community planting projects.
Ann Chambers, HR director at Ecotone UK, said: “Our research shows that younger workers, in particular, are feeling increasingly boxed in by modern office life.
“Green Leave is about recognising the value of time spent outdoors, not just for wellbeing, but for productivity, creativity and connection to the world around us.”
“By encouraging employees to step outside during the working week, we hope to promote better mental and physical health, while also supporting nature and climate action.”
Chambers added: “It’s a win for people, business and the planet.”
Sara Lom, CEO at The Tree Council, said: “The mental and physical health benefits of spending time outside in green spaces are huge.
“It’s easy to take nature for granted, but trees and hedgerows are our truly unsung heroes – they help tackle climate change, provide homes for thousands of species of precious wildlife, support our health and wellbeing, and so much more.
“By joining our tree partners programme, Ecotone is helping to grow a greener, tree-filled future and their teams get to spend some time outside.”
Lom added: “We’d love to see more employers giving their teams some regular paid time to give back to people, nature, and our planet.”
