Remote Workers Admit to Engaging in Extracurricular Activities During Business Hours

Remote Workers Admit to Engaging in Extracurricular Activities During Business Hours

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The rise of remote work has undoubtedly transformed the traditional office landscape. With the flexibility to work from anywhere, employees have been found engaging in various extracurricular activities during their remote work hours. According to a recent survey conducted by Upgraded Points, a travel points-savvy advice site, these activities have ranged from scrolling through social media and online shopping to even engaging in personal errands and intimate encounters, as was reported by the New York Post.

The survey, which included 1,000 US-based remote workers, revealed that one in seven employees logged a mere three to four hours of actual work. The Post reported that the multitasking escapades were widespread, with 10.5% of respondents admitting to indulging in a midday rendezvous during their shift, and 11.8% confessing to drinking alcohol while on company time.

Interestingly, the list of non-work-related activities did not end there. The Post report indicated that a significant 71.6% of respondents admitted to doing household chores, 37.4% ran errands, 24% confessed to taking power naps, and 23% even visited the doctor during their designated work hours.

The survey also shed light on the extensive use of social media and online shopping during work hours. A staggering 74.7% of respondents admitted to scrolling through social media platforms, while 69.6% were caught online shopping, according to the Post report.  Additionally, 52.9% confessed to watching movies, and 32.2% were busy planning their next vacation.

To further complicate matters, the study revealed that nearly three in ten remote workers employed strategies to avoid getting caught by their superiors. They would occasionally move their mouse around so that their status appeared as “active” rather than “away” or “offline.” The Post reported that Gen Z employees were found to be the most frequent users of this tactic, with 50.7% admitting to doing so.

Interestingly, the survey also found that remote workers often chose alternative locations instead of their homes to complete their tasks. While the majority worked from home, 13.7% preferred reporting to a local coffee shop, 12.4% opted for a friend’s house, and 4.2% spent their workdays at co-working spaces, the Post report indicated. Moreover, 5.6% of remote workers found themselves “going to work” in airports, and 3.0% even did so from airplanes.

Despite these seemingly distracting activities, the survey indicated that two-thirds of the workers believed they were more productive when liberated from the confines of a traditional office environment. They attributed this increased productivity to the freedom of remote work, the Post report said.

In light of the survey results, employers may want to consider implementing a shorter workweek. A staggering 80% of respondents expressed that they would devote more time to their assigned tasks if they only had to work four days each week, as was reported by the Post.  Some companies have already embraced this idea. Samsung recently announced a policy allowing its full-time staff in South Korea to have one Friday off per month, the Post report said. Similarly, SK Hynix Inc., a local rival, implemented a policy that permits workers who exceed 40 hours per week to enjoy one Friday off each month.

The trend of adopting a four-day workweek is not limited to South Korea. In the UK, a study involving 61 businesses and approximately 2,900 employees found that 91% of the companies planned to continue or were already following a four-day schedule after testing it from June through November of the previous year, the Post reported. Only 4% of the companies indicated a return to a traditional five-day workweek.

Even in the United States, several companies have recognized the benefits of a shorter workweek. Panasonic and clothing exchange site thredUP are among ten US-based companies listed by Indeed as having adopted a four-day workweek, according to the Post report. These organizations cite improved productivity, reduced overhead costs, and enhanced talent retention as the driving forces behind their decision.

The rise of remote work has ushered in a new era of flexibility, but it has also brought attention to the challenges of maintaining focus and productivity, the Post report indicated. As employees continue to navigate the intricacies of remote work, employers must strike a balance between providing autonomy and ensuring the completion of assigned tasks. Whether through a shorter workweek or other innovative approaches, it is essential to find strategies that cultivate a productive and engaged remote workforce.