Study Reveals Low Employee Productivity and More Errors on Fridays

What do you think of when someone mentions Fridays? The last working day of the week, the last day to feel stressed out before you can relax during the weekend, and even the last day of the week when you have to wake up early. If you are anything like me, this is all you can think of when Friday comes! That is exactly why this recent study claims that companies and businesses face lower employee productivity on Fridays. Who can blame them though? Friday is definitely for getting ready for the weekend!

Here is what the study had to say about the matter.

Introducing the Issue Around Low Employee Productivity

The way we work and handle our jobs has significantly changed in the last century. This has led to a demand for novel work arrangements that can better cater to the evolving needs of both employers and employees. To shape policies and practices for the modern workforce, it is crucial to discern the advantages and disadvantages of these emerging work arrangements. Two noteworthy alternatives include the compressed workweek and hybrid work.

The workweek is highly compressed and offers a 40-hour schedule weekly. This is condensed into fewer than five days, requiring employees to work longer hours each day. This can lead to an imbalance of personal and work life which is another factor that contributes to low employee productivity.

The Study’s Claims on Low Employee Productivity on Fridays

In the conducted study, workplace computer usage patterns across the workweek were analyzed by observing computer output metrics from 789 participants over a two-year period. The research revealed that computer usage metrics, including total words typed, mouse distance, mouse clicks, scrolls, and the number of typos, displayed a gradual increase throughout the workweek. The most significant drop in these metrics was consistently observed on Friday afternoons. Notably, the number of typos decreased by a modest 1.65%, while the number of words typed exhibited a substantial 19.1% decrease on Fridays. Additionally, an interaction effect was observed between the day of the week and the time of day (AM/PM), with reduced activity levels in the afternoons and a higher average number of typos, particularly on Fridays.

A notable strength of this study lies in its utilization of objective and quantitative computer usage measures applied to a large sample over an extended timeframe. This approach minimizes potential inaccuracies associated with self-reported data and subjectivity, providing valuable insights into workplace behavior. These findings offer potential guidance for business leaders seeking to optimize work arrangements and harness the most productive days within the workweek, particularly given the common use of computer metrics as performance indicators.

Do Other Studies Agree?

The study’s outcomes align with previous research that has shown a typical pattern of employee productivity increasing from Monday to Wednesday, followed by a decline on Thursday and Friday. This phenomenon is often attributed to the “Monday Blues,” wherein employees experience heightened stress and reduced motivation upon returning to work after the weekend. Furthermore, elevated cortisol levels on Monday mornings indicate the impact of anticipatory stress. As the workweek progresses, employees tend to become more proficient, resulting in heightened productivity earlier in the week, with a peak occurring midweek.

The Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the data were exclusively gathered from white-collar workers within a single corporate energy firm, making it inappropriate to broadly apply these conclusions to various work domains. Secondly, there could be unaccounted activities that substantially affect overall productivity. For instance, the decrease in computer use might be attributed to engaging in different tasks like attending meetings or planning on Fridays.

However, it is worth noting that these activities can still be carried out remotely, underlining the continued relevance of alternative work arrangements and their positive influence on sustainability. Lastly, the study lacks information on demographic, behavioral, and individual characteristics beyond job types, which restricts its ability to provide a comprehensive perspective on other factors that might have contributed to the observed changes. Therefore, additional research is required to validate our findings and assess their applicability across diverse industries and job roles.

So, Why Are Companies Facing Lower Productivity on Fridays?

As the workweek advances, employees may encounter increasing stress and fatigue, leading to decreased cognitive abilities and a rise in errors, especially during the afternoon. While some recovery from mental fatigue may occur in the evening, it is typically limited, and mental resources do not fully replenish, accumulating over the course of the workweek. Consequently, employees tend to report higher levels of mental fatigue, stress, and negative mood on Thursdays and Fridays compared to earlier in the week. Research also suggests that job satisfaction, engagement, and productivity levels tend to be at their lowest on Fridays.

The findings of the study raise questions about the effectiveness of the traditional five-day workweek in promoting employee well-being and productivity, highlighting the potential need for the exploration of alternative work arrangements.

The results of the study indicate that fatigue and stress may build up over the course of the workweek, possibly resulting in reduced productivity, especially as the workweek approaches its end on Fridays.

What Are Some Solutions to Low Employee Productivity?

One option, which is hybrid work allows employees to split their work between a traditional office setting and a home workspace, offering them increased flexibility in their work locations. Both of these arrangements are being explored as potential solutions to boost productivity and enhance the balance between work and personal life.

Achieving the long-term success of businesses solely relies on prioritizing workforce sustainability and the well-being of employees. Many workplaces have adopted alternative work arrangements to enhance employees’ work-life balance, including initiatives like flexible working hours, parental leave options, and childcare services. This pursuit of work-life balance is not only critical for the sustainability of organizations but also for societal well-being, prompting numerous developed nations to advocate for strategies that strike a better equilibrium between work and personal life.

Additionally, several countries and companies, such as Spain (with the 4-day workweek), Unilever in New Zealand, Shopify in Canada, and Microsoft in Japan, are exploring the impacts of alternative work arrangements. Consequently, a comprehensive examination of the pros and cons of these arrangements is imperative to guide policies and practices in today’s workforce.

What About Remote Work?

Remote work is also a great option for those who want higher employee productivity. This type of work provides flexibility, which leads to a reduction in work-family conflicts and an improvement in family relationships. It also allows employees to have more leisure time and engage in regular exercise, positively affecting both their physical and mental health. This then allows them to boost their work productivity as well.

Beyond these employee benefits, remote work has environmental advantages as well. It decreases the consumption of transportation fuel, lowers CO2 emissions and other pollutants, mitigates noise pollution, and conserves energy and material resources. A study assessing the impact of working from home on greenhouse gas emissions and associated energy costs across residential, commercial, and transportation sectors found that working from home for 1.5 days per week reduces annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1.21 million metric tons and cuts annual transportation costs for employees by 30%.

Why Are These Measures Necessary?

The study’s results emphasize the advantages of introducing strategies to address fatigue and encourage rest. These changes have the potential to enhance employee well-being, work-life balance, and overall productivity, all of which are vital for sustainability within a business context. Employing alternative work setups can yield substantial advantages for businesses over the long term. These benefits encompass heightened employee contentment, decreased absenteeism, and increased productivity.

The stage is all yours now. So, what about you? Are you more or less focused at work on Fridays? Do you agree with the study when it says employee productivity could be raised if the hours were reduced, the workweek was shorter, or if you had more flexible options?