Considering the competitive landscape for companies in any sector, coupled with the need to optimize costs and increase productivity as a business necessity, having professionals focused on their productive work for only 39% of their working time can be a worrying scenario or, at least, should prompt managers to observe this rate and monitor employee performance and the results generated by their team.
We know that no professional will ever be completely focused on their tasks throughout a workday, and it's normal to take breaks and even procrastinate a little for rest and relaxation.
However, with the internet, smartphones, and other everyday activities, the focus on work and the productivity of professionals has been considerably reduced in corporate environments. Throughout the day, it is common to take frequent breaks to use cell phones for personal activities, internet entertainment and social media, access personal email, conversations with colleagues or friends online, snacks or water for hydration, a coffee break, among other things. The sum of these behaviors greatly compromises the focus of professionals on completing tasks and consequently their productivity.
A study conducted by the software company Workfront on working hours and productivity identified that its employees spend, at most, 39% of their working time focused on productive activities related to the company; the remaining time is spent on activities not directly related to work. The survey was conducted anonymously, aiming to obtain honest answers about work and procrastination; a total of 600 professionals were interviewed.
In addition to the low working hours identified in the survey, there was a reduction compared to the previous year, where the focus on work was at 46%.
In the survey, contrary to what we might think, professionals reported that the activity that consumes the most work time is meetings, which occupy 21% of their time, with half of these meetings classified as unproductive. Other activities that stand out as consuming productive work time include checking emails, browsing the internet, using smartphones, administrative tasks, and bureaucratic processes.
Data such as this from the research should draw the attention of managers to seek measures to engage their employees with the company's activities and the results necessary for the business.
For companies and managers, these measures should not lead to a stance of censorship or rigid restrictions, but rather aim to motivate the team so that employees are more committed to their work. Similarly, professionals need to understand that focusing on productivity and results generates benefits for everyone, including themselves as professionals, who can gain more knowledge and experience, be responsible for the company's growth, stand out professionally, and aspire to new opportunities within the company.
It's also necessary to understand the company's responsibility regarding this low productivity; avoiding unnecessary meetings and reducing bureaucratic processes is fundamental to increasing the team's focus and productivity. We also understand that technology and the internet, while contributing in numerous ways, can also lead to breaks and wasted time, especially with the use of the internet and cell phones for personal activities on social networks, instant messaging, entertainment, shopping, and more. See in this report which websites and online services are most accessed by professionals in companies .
Always, the most important thing is that, whether you are an employee, director, manager, or partner in the company where you work, it is essential to prioritize the productive use of time in the workplace, focus on completing tasks, and act in a way that is committed to the business objectives . Only in this way will you reap good results as a professional, and the company will achieve its goals and growth results.
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