GEN Z OFFICE WORKERS WANT ONE ‘GREEN DAY’ OFF WORK A MONTH, WHICH THEY WILL SPEND IN NATURE, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY

Young British workers are turning their backs on grey offices and screen time, with new research revealing that Gen Z say office life is leaving them feeling depressed, trapped and cut off from the real world.

A poll of 2,000 UK office workers, commissioned by organic and plant based food company Ecotone, found that younger generations are increasingly desperate to swap desks for the great outdoors, with half (48%) even calling for a monthly paid ‘Green Day’ off work to reconnect with nature.

According to the research, 88% of Gen Z office workers say that working inside all day has a negative impact on their mental health, with a further 30% admitting they feel ‘trapped’ behind walls and screens.

Almost nine in ten (89%) go a step further and say that working in an office is more stressful than inspiring.

And it’s not just the screens modern Brits hate, a third (33%) can’t stand the commute, 30% hate the pressure of the office environment and one in four (25%) always end up working late.

It’s no surprise that 36% of 18-29 year olds say being trapped in the office all day is depressing and makes them anxious (25%), with 83% worrying that they are spending “too much of their life indoors”.

The findings suggest Millennials feel similarly constrained, with 82% saying they feel disconnected from the natural world during the working week and a WHOPPING 92% claiming they would be happier and more productive if they could spend more time outdoors.

On average, British office workers spend more than 12 hours inside during a typical working day, leaving them feeling sluggish (60%), tired (56%), frustrated (33%) and stressed (31%). Two thirds (63%) say they are spending more time indoors now compared to three years ago.

When asked about their ideal working environment, 91% of Gen Z and Millennial workers said they would prefer to work outside or in nature at least some of the time, which they believe would increase their productivity by as much as 52% and 51% respectively.

A further 49% admit that they would be more likely to stay in a job if their manager gave them time off to spend in nature or volunteering for an environmental cause.

However, despite a potential boost in productivity, 67% percent say their employer currently does NOTHING to encourage time outdoors during the working week.

49% of the office workers polled say that their boss would tell them to go outside at lunch time if they asked to spend time outdoors during the working week. 27% say they would laugh in their face, 26% would be given short shrift and told to get on with their work, while 8% say they would be fired.

In response to the findings, Ecotone, which owns Clipper Teas and Kallo, has announced plans to launch ‘Green Leave’ - a new paid time-off initiative designed to help employees reconnect with nature while supporting the planet.

The scheme would offer non-manufacturing staff three days of paid leave per year to volunteer with an environmental charity allowing them to learn more about nature, give back to the environment and spend time outdoors.

To deliver the initiative, Ecotone is partnering with The Tree Council as a Tree Partner to help its team get outdoors and spend time amongst trees and nature. Employees will support community planting projects to plant and care for trees, hedgerows and orchards, whilst learning new outdoor skills and take part in nature-based experiences. In addition, Ecotone will be supporting the planting and care of over 1,000 trees in schools and communities across the UK over the next three years.

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. It’s a win for people, business and the planet.”

Sara Lom, Chief Executive at The Tree Council, adds:

“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. We’d love to see more employers giving their teams some regular paid time to give back to people, nature, and our planet.”

More than half (59%) of office workers say they would benefit from a monthly “Green Day”, using the time to sit in the garden (46%), have a picnic in the park (34%), do some gardening (33%) and even go on a hike (30%).

Ecotone hopes the initiative will spark a wider conversation about rethinking the traditional working week, as younger generations demand a healthier balance between work, wellbeing and the natural world.

The research also found that 41% of British workers believe that employers should offer paid leave to help employees reconnect to nature and support important environmental causes, with almost a third (32%) wanting their employer to take visible action on climate change and sustainability.

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Editors notes

The findings presented in this release are based on a nationally representative online survey conducted for Ecotone via research and insights agency Perspectus Global in February 2026.

Perspectus Global adheres strictly to the highest standards of market research and insight, in full compliance with the ESOMAR principles and the Market Research Society (MRS) Code of Conduct. All data collected and processed is strictly confidential.