Most Workers Are Only Productive for 4 Hours 12 Minutes During an 8 Hour Workday

There’s been a lot of talk over the past year and a half about productivity at work and whether people are more or less effective working from home, compared to being at the office.

According to a new survey, most workers aren’t productive for a FULL eight hours, regardless of where they are.

During an eight-hour workday, the average worker only spends 4 HOURS and 12 MINUTES actively working.

The survey asked people to list the things they’re doing when they’re not zeroed in on work, and the top five distractions are:

1. Surfing the Internet
2. Social media
3. Texting
4. Bathroom breaks
5. Socializing with coworkers

Other responses include:

• Snack breaks
• Coffee breaks
• “Reading & drawing”
• Watching TV/Videos
• Phone calls
• Childcare

When asked WHY they’re not busier at work, common responses were:

• There are lulls in tasks
• Waiting on coworkers to finish
• They’re not motivated
• They’re distracted by personal situations
• The “environment is not ideal”

(Zippia)