Adapted by:
Rubén Andrés
WriterWriter at Xataka. I've been working remotely for more than a decade and I'm a strong advocate of technology as a way to improve our lives. Full-time addict of black, sugar-free coffee.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
Improving productivity is a primary concern for companies. However, a Microsoft study has revealed that the biggest obstacle to enhancing productivity comes from the bosses and co-workers themselves, who frequently interrupt each other.
The data indicate that even remote workers can’t escape this problem, which hinders employees’ ability to concentrate on their tasks. In fact, 80% of employees admit they feel exhausted by the amount of interruptions they encounter throughout the day.
Silent burnout. Work fatigue isn’t solely the result of long hours but also stems from an invisible yet persistent issue: interruptions. Every notification, message, or query from a colleague diminishes the ability to maintain focus, which is already challenging.
The so-called “ping fatigue” affects both remote and on-site workers and prevents them from boosting their productivity. According to the Microsoft report, 53% of leaders and managers have unrealistic expectations regarding productivity increases. The study gathered insights from 31,000 employees and managers across 30 countries.
275 interruptions a day. According to Microsoft, each employee faces an average of 275 interruptions a day at work. These interruptions include emails, messages from corporate messaging platforms, meetings, and inquiries from colleagues in face-to-face work environments.
This means that roughly every two minutes, employees pause their workflow to respond to a question, attend to a notification, or join an unscheduled meeting. It takes the brain 10 to 20 minutes to regain optimal concentration levels. As a result, it becomes nearly impossible for employees to maintain productivity, no matter how hard they try.
Feeling stuck. Constant interruptions not only hinder concentration but also create a sense of chaos and disorganization, which detracts from productivity. Employees continually switch tasks, making it challenging to complete important projects. This situation also increases stress and burnout caused by multitasking and constantly shifting priorities.
In the Microsoft survey, 48% of employees and 52% of managers reported that their workload feels chaotic and fragmented.
Meetings don’t help. Data shows that the number of meetings held after 8 p.m. has increased by 16% year-on-year. This is mainly because 30% of these meetings involve participants in different time zones.
Notably, a big disruption in daily schedules is that 60% of these meetings are unscheduled and called spontaneously. Microsoft has found that last-minute planning leads to a significant spike in PowerPoint usage. The study found a 122% increase 10 minutes before these meetings as employees scramble to complete presentations.
Microsoft’s solution. The report indicates that specialized AI agents will help minimize interruptions by taking over tasks that previously required colleague input. In fact, 82% of leaders say a digital workforce should be a priority in the next 12 to 18 months.
However, despite the potential benefits of AI in transforming the workplace, one challenge persists: last-minute meetings.
Image | Annie Spratt
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