Business Leaders Survey: What's Wasting Your Time?

Business Leaders Survey: What's Wasting Your Time?

Over 20% Lament "Constant Interruptions" by Co-workers

Email, Unnecessary Meetings, Disorganization and Social Media in Top 5

_____________________

Express Employment Professionals released new survey results revealing what employers believe are the biggest daily wastes of time in the workplace.

In a recent poll of more than 2,000 businesses, respondents were asked, "What is the biggest waste of your time on a daily basis?"

Twenty one percent identified "constant interruptions by employees/co-workers" as the biggest office time waster, followed by 17 percent who chose "reading/replying to email." Fifteen percent selected "unnecessary meetings," and nine percent chose "general disorganization."

Additionally, "social media/internet browsing" was selected by nine percent of respondents, and eight percent chose "idle chit chat with co-workers." At the bottom of the list was, "smoke breaks/snack breaks" at just 1.2 percent.

Survey respondents were given the option to provide their own responses, which included, "spam emails," "computer issues," "trying to accomplish a task with little or no training," "phone solicitors" and "repeating instructions."

"Today's workplace is full of distractions. Modern conveniences can easily become modern wastes of time," said Bob Funk, CEO of Express, and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. "The first step to reducing wasted time is recognizing its causes. It's easy to feel like we are at the mercy of forces beyond our control, but setting clear priorities and sharing them with co-workers can help improve productivity and ease workplace frustrations." 

The survey of 2,093 business leaders was conducted in March and April 2016. 

###

About Robert A. Funk

Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has more than 760 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than six million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.

About Express Employment Professionals

Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $3.02 billion in sales and employed a record 500,002 people in 2015. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com .

For More Information:

Sheena Karami   
Director of Corporate Communications and PR   
Express Employment Professionals   
(405) 840-5000   
sheena.karami@expresspros.com