A new Slack Workforce Index surveyed over 10,000 workers globally and uncovered insights into the ingredients for an optimized, productive workday. It’s all about achieving balance between different types of time.

After Hours Work Can Backfire

37% of surveyed individuals log hours outside normal schedules weekly. But those feeling pressured to do so experience 20% lower productivity, with 2x the burnout risk. The most common reason for working after hours is “not having enough time in the day”.

The Ideal Balance / Focus Time and Meetings

Workers need around 4 hours per day for solo focus work. But more than 2 hours in meetings was deemed excessive by most, while too little cross-functional time decreases innovation and connection. Those farther up the management chain reported spending too much time in meetings and responding to emails and messages.

Aim for the “Goldilocks Zone” where meetings, collaborative work, and independent tasks are adequately balanced. Ideally, 4 hours daily for solo focus work, no more than 2 hours in meetings.

Break Time Fuels Productivity

Perhaps surprisingly, incorporating breaks pays dividends. Desk workers who regularly take breaks demonstrate 13% higher productivity, 43% lower stress, and 62% greater work-life balance versus those who rarely or never take breaks.

Yet 50% of surveyed staff admit to rarely, if ever, taking breaks. This points to an opportunity for reshaping unproductive attitudes around constantly grinding.

By properly balancing the right amounts of focus work, collaborative time, rest, and restoration woven throughout the days, both employees and organizations can unlock greater performance, satisfaction, and well-being.

And be sure to take into account the afternoon slump. 71% of respondents identified the late afternoon, especially 3-6 pm, as the least productive period. Yet 75% continue working during those hours, While only 27% consider it a highly productive time.

The Key Insight?

Employees and companies thrive when the workday offers balanced time for collaboration and focus work augmented by breaks and autonomy. Productivity depends not on sheer hours logged but rather on properly aligning time across critical needs. There is no uniform formula, but helping employees strike the right balance unlocks performance.

Go Deeper –> The surprising connection between after-hours work and decreased productivity – Slack