A consensus among many office employees is their noticeable dip in productivity towards the later parts of the day and as the workweek progresses towards Friday. This subjective experience has now been substantiated through objective analysis by a research team from Texas A&M University.

In an innovative study conducted by the School of Public Health at Texas A&M, an interdisciplinary approach was utilised to gather data, revealing that workers exhibit a reduction in activity and an increase in errors by the afternoon hours, culminating in the least productive period being Friday afternoon. This investigation has been documented in a recent edition of PLOS ONE, with contributions from Drs. Taehyun Roh, Nishat Tasnim Hasan of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, and Drs. Chukwuemeka Esomonu, Joseph Hendricks, Mark Benden from the Environmental and Occupational Health Department, and Anisha Aggarwal, a postgraduate student from the Health Behavior Department.

The study analysed the computer usage of 789 office employees within a prominent energy corporation in Texas from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018, seeking a more objective measure of productivity. Traditional methods such as self-reports, supervisory assessments, or wearable technology, which may skew subjective or intrusive, were set aside to analyse direct computer interaction metrics. These metrics included typing speed, error rates, and mouse movements, offering a clear, unobtrusive view of daily work patterns.

This detailed analysis revealed a progressive increase in computer-related activities from Monday to Thursday, with a noticeable drop on Fridays. Not only did the quantity of typing and mouse usage reduce on the final day of the traditional workweek, but the afternoons, predominantly Friday afternoons, saw diminished activity and increased typographical errors.

The implications of these findings extend beyond mere observations, suggesting that alternative working models such as hybrid or four-day weeks could enhance employee satisfaction and productivity. As of May 2023, a significant portion of the U.S. workforce was still engaged in traditional on-site roles, with the rest adopting remote or hybrid formats. These alternate schedules mitigate stress related to commuting and office politics and enhance work-life balance, allowing for increased time spent with family, engaging in physical activities, or pursuing hobbies, thereby improving overall well-being.

Moreover, flexible work arrangements can have broader benefits, including reduced operational costs and environmental impact through lowered electricity consumption and carbon emissions. These findings present a compelling case for business leaders to consider more adaptive work policies to foster a healthier, more productive, and environmentally sustainable workplace.

More information: Taehyun Roh et al, Examining workweek variations in computer usage patterns: An application of ergonomic monitoring software, PLoS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287976

Journal information: PLoS ONE Provided by Texas A&M University