Hybrid Workers Face Most Distractions in the Workplace
3 min
Our latest research reveals the growing challenge of workplace distractions in the era of hybrid working. Our study, conducted among 500 Irish office workers, highlights how interruptions impact productivity and the strategies employees use to maintain focus.
Key Findings on Workplace Distractions
Our research identifies the primary culprits of workplace distractions:
- Receiving phone calls is the most significant distraction, affecting 42% of office workers.
- Background noise (41%) and colleague interruptions (40%) are significant disruptors.
- Receiving emails (28%) and social media notifications (27%) round out the list of key workplace distractions.
While most (67%) hybrid workers report experiencing the most distractions in a shared workplace, remote work comes with challenges. Household chores, such as laundry and cleaning, are the biggest distraction for 41% of hybrid workers, followed by looking after children or pets (30%) and cooking or preparing meals (30%).
The Impact of Distractions on Productivity
Our research shows that workplace distractions significantly affect employee productivity. In fact, 62% of workers admit to spending more than 15 minutes daily on non-work-related activities during office hours. Nearly half (46%) of respondents say distractions at least slightly impact their productivity, while 38% report that interruptions moderately or significantly affect their workflow. Personal technology plays a major role, with 74% of workers admitting to being distracted by their devices at least once a day. Additionally, one in five employees loses focus at least once per hour, while 10% report being distracted multiple times within the same timeframe.
How Employees Combat Distractions
To improve focus, workers are adopting various strategies, such as taking regular breaks (57%) and changing work environments (19%) to regain concentration. Many also rely on tools like noise-cancelling headphones (20%) and time management apps (12%) to minimize distractions. Additionally, setting boundaries with colleagues (34%) and enabling ‘Do Not Disturb’ settings on personal technology (41%) are common tactics used to enhance productivity.
Our findings underscore the importance of quiet, dedicated spaces in Irish workplaces. More than half (56%) of employees report a lack of access to quiet workspaces, and 28% believe such spaces would significantly enhance their productivity.
Solutions to Boost Employee Focus and Productivity
“We live in a distracted world, and our research highlights the scale and sources of workplace disruptions, particularly in hybrid working environments,” said Patrick Murphy, CEO of Codex.
“At Codex, we offer a range of technological, physical, and strategic solutions to help businesses create more focused and productive workplaces,” Mr Murphy added. “We work with organisations of all sizes to maximise employee engagement, a critical factor for success in today’s evolving work landscape.”
Codex provides various workplace tools designed to help businesses minimise distractions, from noise-cancelling headphones to ergonomic office setups. These solutions empower employees to create productive work environments, whether in the office or at home.
Our research was recently featured on Ireland's Classic Hits Radio! Have a listen below:
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Need help creating a motivated and productive workplace? Contact us to learn how our office solutions can help you build an inspiring work environment for your team. Open an account today or contact us at sales@codexltd.com if you require product recommendations or pricing!
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