Slack’s Workforce Index, based on a survey of over 10,000 desk workers worldwide, reveals insights on how to structure the workday for maximum productivity and employee satisfaction. The findings indicate that employees who log off at the end of the workday are 20% more productive than those who work after hours. Taking breaks during the workday improves productivity and well-being, yet half of desk workers rarely or never take breaks. The ideal amount of focus time is around four hours a day, and more than two hours of meetings a day is considered overburdening. Working after hours is associated with lower productivity, stress, and burnout, while working outside of standard hours by choice has no negative impacts. The late afternoon is generally the least productive time for work. Strategies such as blocking time for specific tasks, checking email at specific times, and setting focus timers can boost productivity. To optimize the workday, a balance of focus time, collaboration time, social connection, and downtime is crucial. Many desk workers are interested in AI tools that can assist in managing time, such as automating workflows and providing meeting notes and recaps. The survey also shows that more than two hours of meetings a day reduces productivity. The Workforce
https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/blog/news/the-surprising-connection-between-after-hours-work-and-decreased-productivity?nojsmode=1