A survey of office workers and managers by Staples revealed some interesting regional trends, including:

• Workers in the Northeast (58 percent) feel more burnt out than their colleagues across other regions of the U.S.
• Workers in the West (27 percent) aren’t taking lunch breaks.
• In the Midwest, workers feel guilty about getting up from their desks to take a break (28 percent).
• Workers in the South (90 percent) say they need breaks to boost productivity.
 
Despite regional differences, the survey underscored the importance of taking breaks as employees work longer days. An overwhelming majority of workers (86 percent) acknowledge that taking a break would make them more productive. In fact, 58 percent of respondents said a well-stocked, comfortable breakroom would encourage breaks.

In response, Staples is kicking off a nationwide “Refresh. Recharge. Refuel.” Breakroom Tour to encourage office workers across the country to take a break. The tour will let people disconnect from work by visiting a large-scale, “pop-up” breakroom stocked with free refreshing snacks, coffee and other beverages.

As part of the tour, Staples will host public breakroom events in ten major U.S. cities including Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, San Diego and Los Angeles.

“This tour demonstrates the power of the breakroom in keeping employees refreshed and recharged,” said Chris Correnti, Vice President, Staples Facility Solutions.