Tip 5. The State of Productivity in 2021

If you find yourself losing focus throughout the day, you’re not alone – 91% of employees say that they daydream during meetings. After a year of “Zoom overload,” companies across the country are starting to plan the future of their businesses. Whether you’re heading back into the office or continuing the work-from-home life, maintaining productivity is key in building a healthy workplace.

Download our 2021 Microsoft Work Trend Index Recap

Download Microsoft's 2021
Work Trend Index

The startling stats don’t stop at daydreaming – here are 2021’s top 3 productivity metrics:

  1. 85% of employees spend ~2 hours looking for information – Whether they’re shuffling through a filing cabinet or scouring a hard drive for their data, a large majority of employees waste time just searching for information.
  2. The average worker is productive for 2 hours and 53 minutes each day – Over an hour is spent reading the news (don’t worry, your secret is safe with us.)
  3. Multitasking tanks productivity – Juggling too many tasks at once can cut productivity by 40%.

So, what can you do to boost productivity and keep yourself on track? While there are plenty of motivational speeches and self-help books, ensuring that your team has the right tools for success is the first major step. 86% of professionals say poor communication leads to falling productivity. Keeping your team on the same page and running like a well-oiled machine requires having the right technology in place to help them succeed.


What We’re Reading: Productivity Data & Shortcuts

Infographic: You Waste A Lot of Time at Work

Just because you’re at work doesn’t mean you’re getting work done.

Read: In an 8-Hour Day, the Average Worker Is Productive for This Many Hours

We finally have the data to prove that Joe is always at the coffee machine.

Learn: 8 Productivity Tips That Will Improve Your Workday

Our friends at Formstack share tips to help you maximize your hustle.


Is your technology holding back your productivity – or enabling it?

Just as technology can be your biggest asset, it can also be your biggest detriment – the only difference is how you’re using it. Microsoft monitored and analyzed the data of thousands of users around the world to breakdown the rhythm of work in 2020. Shifting productivity, flexible work, employee satisfaction – their report has it all, but our team has hit the highlights. Download our whitepaper, Microsoft’s 2021 Work Trend Index: What Business Leaders Should Know to stay up-to-date on the latest data.

Download Microsoft's 2021
Work Trend Index