Unlike other studies that examine employee productivity, this research did not rely on self-assessments or manager feedback. Instead, the researchers monitored computer usage metrics such as typing speed, mouse activity, and typing errors.
According to a recent study published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE, employee productivity and accuracy tend to decline in the afternoon.
Afternoon is often when the most typing errors occur. (Illustrative image).
The researchers studied nearly 800 employees working in an office setting, not remotely, over two years. The afternoon is typically when the most typing errors happen. Specifically, on Friday afternoons, productivity in computer-related tasks decreased while the number of spelling errors increased.
“This aligns with similar findings that the amount of work completed by employees steadily increases from Monday to Wednesday, then declines on Thursday and Friday,” said Taehyun Roh, co-author of the study and assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Texas A&M University, in an interview with ScienceDaily.com.
The authors of the study stated that this research adds evidence that workplaces should be more flexible.
Surveys indicate that most employees would welcome such changes. According to a survey by Monster, a majority of workers, 61%, expressed a desire for a shorter workweek, and 33% stated they would leave their jobs if they found one with shorter working hours.
The study authors wrote: “Implementing flexible work arrangements, such as hybrid work or a four-day workweek, could help mitigate the negative impact of long workweeks and promote better productivity and employee health. For instance, employers might be more open to allowing employees to work remotely on Fridays or to implement shorter workweeks with Fridays off.”
