8 Big Reasons Why Workplace Productivity Is Dropping In 2022

It’s no secret that workplace productivity has been on the decline in recent years. But what’s behind this trend? And why is it happening now?

Let’s take a look at eight big reasons why workplace productivity is dropping in 2022.

1. Remote and hybrid working

The global pandemic has forced businesses to operate remotely, which has led to increased distractions and a decrease in face-to-face interaction.

This can have a negative impact on work relationships, as people may not feel as connected to their colleagues when they’re not working together in the same space. This can lead to a lack of team spirit and decreased morale.

2. Increased distractions

With so many people working from home, there are more opportunities for multitasking and personal errands to interfere with work time, and the line between work and home has become increasingly blurred in recent years. In fact, a study conducted by Stanford University found that employees who work from home are less productive than those who work in an office setting.

The study found that employees were distracted by things like pets, children, and household tasks.

 3. Burnt out from virutal meetings

Employees are feeling burnt out from the constant Zoom calls and virtual meetings. Employees are constantly being asked to attend virtual meetings that last for hours on end, often with little or no break in between.

This can be extremely taxing, both mentally and physically. As a result, many employees are finding it difficult to focus on their family once they step away from their computers at the end of the day.

4. The rise of the gig economy

The rise of the gig economy has led to a lot of job insecurity, which in turn has led to employees feeling less motivated to work hard.

In a study conducted by the Harvard Business School, it was found that job insecurity is one of the key drivers of low productivity.

 5. Increased levels of procrastination

The increase in technology has made it easier for employees to procrastinate. With so many distractions available at our fingertips (such as Netflix on our mobile phones!) it’s become increasingly difficult to focus on our work.

6. Constant pressure to peform beyond normal working hours

The pressure to achieve constantly higher levels of productivity has resulted in employees working longer hours for no increase in output.

In fact, studies have shown that working more than 50 hours per week can actually have a negative impact on productivity.

7.  The increase in artificial intelligence and automation

 The increase in artificial intelligence and automation has led to a decline in human interaction, which can be detrimental to workplace productivity.

A study by the University of Cambridge found that people who work in an environment with lots of social interaction are more productive than those who work in an environment with limited social interaction.

8. Overwhelmed by number of emails, chats and meetings every day

Employees are overwhelmed by the number of emails they receive each day, which leads to them spending less time on each email and consequently producing lower-quality work.

A study conducted by the University of California found that people who check their email more than once an hour are less productive than those who check their email less than once an hour.

Conclusion

 There’s no doubt that the past few years have been tough on businesses and workers alike.

With so many challenges and distractions, it’s no surprise that workplace productivity is suffering as a result.

However, by understanding the reasons behind the decline, businesses can take steps to mitigate the impact and help employees increase their productivity levels moving forward.