NEWS COPY – WITH INFOGRAPHIC – By Grant Bailey
The England Euro squad could learn a thing or two from Britain’s offices – where workers are more organised than football teams, a study found.
Key workplace roles include ‘The Workhorse’, ‘The Solid Support’ and ‘The Boss’, all roles that could be applied to a player in the England Euro squad.
Thirty per cent of office workers in the UK consider themselves ‘The Workhorse’ – someone who is constantly busy with tasks, like midfielder James Milner, while almost half see themselves as ‘The Safe Pair Of Hands’ – like goal keeper Joe Hart – reliable and trustworthy.
The survey of 2,000 office workers, commissioned by on-demand food delivery service Deliveroo, also reveals that eight per cent feel they fit most comfortably into ‘The Boss’ role; making the key decisions and motivating the team, like captain Wayne Rooney.
Of course, every office has a ‘Last-Minute Wonder’ or two; members of the team who are happy to watch the action unfold from a distance and only put the effort in where it counts, similar to Eric Dier during Saturday’s match against Russia. In fact, nearly one in ten office workers feel like this role describes them best.
A spokesperson from Deliveroo said: “Cultivating a successful office team is a delicate balancing act, not unlike assembling a winning football squad.
“And looking at Roy Hodgson’s line-up for Euro 2016, the England Manager has clearly been considering his mix of reliable long-timers, dependable workhorses and new blood to create what will hopefully prove to be a major contender in this summer’s tournament.”
When asked how they fit in socially within their workplace, the study shows that 1 in 10 office workers think they are the funniest one in their team, while 15 per cent see themselves as a calm and organised figure.
Seventeen per cent feel like they are the most easy-going team member, while 13 per cent feel they work the hardest.
Thankfully, the majority of office workers get along, with over a third considering their work colleagues good friends, and a besotted 6 per cent going as far as saying their colleagues are like extended family.
When asked to consider the best thing about their job, a fifth of workers chose ‘working as part of a team’, while 13 per cent enjoy the complicated challenge their work provides for them.
Thirty per cent of offices reinforce a sense of camaraderie with rounds of hot drinks, while a quarter schedule regular after-work outings.
A quarter of UK offices are allowed to regularly order in food, with pizza topping the poll of most-desired order-in food (46 per cent).
Unfortunately, 41 per cent UK offices do not actively engage in any team-building activities.
When asked if there was a member of their team that they didn’t get along with, half admitted that there was someone who got on their nerves.
Sixteen per cent can’t get along with someone on their direct team, while 13 per cent have beef with their boss.
When it comes to today’s England Vs Wales match, a lucky 28 per cent of office workers will be tuning in at their desks, while a fifth have booked a day off to watch the drama unfold at home.
Furthermore, 12 per cent are planning to take a longer lunch break to watch as much of the match as they can, while 13 per cent are recording the afternoon game to watch later in the evening.
Psychologist in elite sport Robbie Anderson had this to say while assessing the England squad ahead of their game against Wales: “It’s the rich balance of young endeavour and experienced pros that makes England’s Euro team exciting.
“The challenge of building any effective team is to balance ambition and stability. Top level athletes have the ability to understand their role, and also to manage their own emotional levels on the day.
“England’s young players may experience less pressure of expectation, enabling them to play will fearless hunger. There was certainly suggestion of that in impressive performances by Dyer, Rose and Walker on Saturday.
“Joe Hart presents himself as a vocal leader on the field, along with Gary Cahill, and both could rally the changing room ahead of a passionate clash with our neighbours. Rooney will likely reassure players individually and remind each of them that to make the England squad alone suggests they are world class players.
“When we look at Wales, Bales’ tenacious work-rate may only be outshone by one thing – his talent. The combination of both puts him in the category of the world’s very best footballers.”
MOST COMMON OFFICE ROLES IN THE UK
‘The Safe Pair Of Hands’ – 44% – Joe Hart
‘The Lynchpin’ – 32% – Jamie Vardy
‘The Workhorse’ – 30% – James Milner
‘The Solid Support’ – 23% – Gary Cahill
‘The Organiser’ – 15% – Dele Alli
‘The Dogsbody’ – 11% – Danny Rose
‘The Loner’ – 9% – John Stones
‘The Last-Minute Wonder’ – 8% – Eric Dier
‘The Boss’ – 8% – Wayne Rooney
‘The Slacker’ – 7% – Raheem Sterling
‘The Social Butterfly’ – 5% – Daniel Sturridge
ENDS
