Why half your workday seems like a waste — and the reason you feel so drained: new study

1 month ago

American workers opportunity they’re drowning successful busywork — and it’s draining productivity, fueling stress, and moreover pushing immoderate to quit.

That’s according to a canvass of 2,000 achromatic collar and knowledge workers and 1,000 IT determination makers.

Results showed these labor are losing an estimated half of their time (51% full activity hours estimated) connected tedious, low-value tasks for illustration copying and pasting, managing emails, and information entry.

In fact, 1 successful 3 respondents has considered quitting a occupation because of outdated aliases frustrating tech, and a akin number (33%) of workers judge that their existent activity exertion is contributing to feelings of stress.

Conducted by Talker Research connected behalf of HP, nan study besides recovered that 85% of workers said repetitive tasks are a apical contributor to burnout.

American workers opportunity they’re drowning successful busywork — and it’s draining productivity, fueling stress, and moreover pushing immoderate to quit. Yuliia – stock.adobe.com

Respondents besides said that repetitive tasks triggered accent 4 times a week — much than 200 times a twelvemonth — while workplace exertion itself disrupts attraction astir 3 times a week.

Beyond heightening stress, repetitive tasks breed ignorant — leaving labor disengaged and little invested successful their work, and robbing them of clip to deliberation creatively, lick problems, and collaborate meaningfully.

An overwhelming 76% of IT determination makers said their institution labor are wasting excessively overmuch clip connected menial work.

Results showed these labor are losing an estimated half of their time connected tedious, low-value tasks for illustration copying and pasting, managing emails, and information entry. SWNS

“These findings item a increasing disconnect betwixt nan activity group are hired and inspired to do and nan activity they really walk clip on,” said Amy Winhoven, Global Head of Business Personal Systems and Alliance Marketing for HP. “When imaginative imaginable is buried nether administrative burden, companies discarded talent. Those who prioritize activity that is fulfilling will unlock growth. Those that don’t will autumn behind.”

The apical clip drains?

Writing emails (31%), information guidance (25%), catching up connected squad communications (22%), and digging done files aliases emails (18%). Workers besides pointed to managing calendars and meetings (16%), reporting (15%), troubleshooting tech issues (14%), and filling retired forms for illustration timesheets and disbursal reports (14%).

The study besides recovered that 85% of workers said repetitive tasks are a apical contributor to burnout. SWNS

Even arsenic workers suffer half their time to engaged work, less than 4 successful 10 judge their employer is giving them nan correct devices to succeed.

Just 37% powerfully work together their existent devices let them to do their champion work, and only 39% judge their employer is equipping them to thrive successful today’s fast-changing environment. That disconnect fuels frustration, stress, and disengagement.

Employees opportunity they’re eager for simpler, smarter devices that free them from repetitive tasks for illustration information guidance (24%), penning emails (19%), filling retired forms (18%), and organizing files (17%).

One successful 3 respondents has considered quitting a occupation because of outdated aliases frustrating tech, and 33% of workers judge that their existent activity exertion is contributing to feelings of stress. SWNS

And IT leaders are listening. Seventy percent of IT determination makers opportunity they scheme to rotation retired integrated AI devices successful nan adjacent 12 months. Other priorities see faster instrumentality capacity (50%), amended collaboration package (44%), and much automation (44%).

With workplace tech still falling short for galore employees, it’s clear nan committedness of invention hasn’t caught up pinch reality, but pinch IT leaders signaling a activity of AI and automation devices connected nan horizon, 2025 could people a turning point.

“Modern activity should spark creativity, not get buried nether repetitive tasks,” added Winhoven. “The early isn’t astir piling connected much tech — it’s astir utilizing AI to move busywork into nan inheritance and unfastened up caller possibilities, truthful group tin attraction connected activity that inspires them.”

Writing emails is nan number 1 clip drain, according to respondents. SWNS

Top Time-Drains According to Workers:

Writing emails (31%)
Data guidance (25%)
Catching up connected squad communications (22%)
Searching for and organizing files and emails (18%)

Even arsenic workers suffer half their time to engaged work, less than 4 successful 10 judge their employer is giving them nan correct devices to succeed. Phimwilai – stock.adobe.com

Managing calendars and meetings (16%)
Reporting (15%)
Troubleshooting tech issues (14%)
Filling retired forms for illustration timesheets aliases disbursal reports (14%)

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 achromatic collar workers/knowledge workers and 1,000 ITDMs astatine companies pinch complete 100 employees; nan study was commissioned by HP and administered and conducted online by Talker Research betwixt Aug. 25 – Sept 2, 2025.