What does a better workday mean to you? Reflecting on the results of the third Better Workday Survey, simple goals are often the most difficult to achieve in the modern workplace.
Just like in previous years, the majority of people consider a better workday a day when they can get the important work done, finish at the end of the regular workday, and have a reasonable amount of flexibility to allow them to care for other areas of their lives.
Today’s work environments, with hyper-communication habits and minimal time for deep work, mean that many employees log off at the end of the day weary and with the dreaded feeling that they still “haven’t done enough.”
But there is hope. And even the slightest move in the right direction is still a move in the right direction. In this article, I outline some key insights from the 2024 Better Workday Survey and practical steps you can take as an individual, team or organisation to begin the journey.
One of the standout findings from the 2024 Better Workday Survey is the identification of the most productive times of the day. Consistent with previous years, most respondents reported that their peak productivity occurs in the morning, specifically between 10 AM and 1 PM.
Consider scheduling high-priority tasks that require deep concentration and creativity during these peak hours. On the other hand, try to allocate routine tasks or low-value activities to different parts of the day.
This simple adjustment can lead to significant improvements in both productivity and job satisfaction.
A recurring theme in the survey is the challenge of managing heavy workloads and meeting deadlines. The majority of respondents reported working between 40 to 50 hours per week, with a notable percentage clocking in even more hours. This "unofficial overtime" often spills into early mornings, late evenings, and weekends, which can lead to burnout.
It is essential to examine how time is spent during core working hours. Are meetings and minor tasks consuming valuable time that could be better allocated to strategic work?
Implementing time-tracking tools can provide insights into these patterns, enabling employees to make more informed decisions about their schedules. Management must marry this with a strategic review of key programmes and projects to remove redundant work and the administrative overhead accompanying it.
Effective communication and collaboration remain critical yet challenging aspects of modern work environments, especially within hybrid models. The survey reveals that many organisations struggle with establishing effective guidelines for communication, leading to distractions and inefficiencies.
To improve in this area, companies should develop clear guidelines for synchronous and asynchronous communication. These guidelines can help employees understand when and how to communicate, reducing unnecessary interruptions and supporting a more focused work environment.
Training employees on best practices for using various communication tools can also go a long way. Regular check-ins and short, structured meetings can help ensure that everyone is on the same page, reducing misunderstandings and fostering a more collaborative atmosphere.
It’s rare to meet a manager whose sole responsibility is to support and enable their team of direct reports. Most managers are involved in other projects and have responsibility for key activities within their departments.
While managers are generally accessible and maintain regular check-ins with their teams, there are significant gaps in areas like workload management, resource allocation, and stress management training. This is causing pressure points for managers as they try to support themselves and their teams.
For managers to be truly effective, they need adequate training and resources. Organisations should invest in programs that teach managers how to balance their workloads while supporting their teams. Structured one-on-one meetings, which provide a platform for open communication and feedback, clear processes for adding new tasks, and training in resource management can equip managers to balance their dual roles of team leader and key contributor.
The insights from the 2024 Better Workday survey provide a starting point for creating a more productive and satisfying work environment.
Here are some actionable steps you can take:
Implementing these strategies can help you create a work environment that increases productivity and enhances overall well-being.
Download the full 2024 Better Workday survey report and start making informed changes today. Share these insights with your team and initiate conversations that lead to actionable improvements. Together, we can create a better workday for everyone.