Study: Employees are more efficient when the work week is shorter and there is less collaboration

Microsoft has done a lot study among employees to determine their effectiveness. At the same time, the researchers decided to move away from the usual indicator of employee engagement, and focused on their prosperity. Microsoft defines prosperous employees who are "energetic and energized to do meaningful work."

Among those surveyed, the average level of prosperity was 77%. If we break this indicator into three components, it turns out that employees felt the importance of their work (79%) and were full of energy (79%) rather than being energetic (73%).

Next, the authors focused on responses from employees who spoke better about their prosperity at work, as well as being singled out as the best balance between work and personal life.

Combining the survey results with de-identified calendar and email metadata, they found that these people worked an average of five hours less each week. They also spent five hours less weekly collaborating, focused three hours more, and had 17 fewer people in their work social circle.

These results make you wonder if the desire for teamwork is so effective in everything. However, the authors believe that the problem is not in collaboration per se: “It is important to remember that close collaboration can affect the balance between work and personal life. Both managers and employees need to make sure this doesn't become a 24/7 duty."

In other words, it's okay to work together, it's not okay to expect to be harassing co-workers at 10 p.m. if you suddenly have an epiphany on a joint project.

At the same time, the complete lack of collaboration is also bad: among employees who do not consider themselves prosperous, the most a popular commonality was a sense of isolation—from a lack of teamwork or an inability to participate in decision making. solutions.

The conclusion is simple, but difficult to implement: managers should better monitor how employees feel comfortable in their workplace. positions, and if necessary, monitor collaboration so that no one is left out or overwhelmed by interaction with colleagues.