Dive Brief:
- Most employees (70%) responding to a recent Hibob survey said they shop online at work during the holidays. Another third are distracted during the season, according to the Dec. 12 report.
- Hibob suggested businesses use these weeks to offer support to staff. Employers can offer special events that boost morale this time of year, for example.
- And with 13% of workers saying they leverage flexible work schedules this time of year, flex work options can ease the burden on staffers during this hectic time.
Dive Insight:
Shopping at work sees an uptick during the winter holiday season. But gift getting isn't the only thing creating distraction at this time of year or any other.
Every six minutes, the average worker checks email or text messages, according to a July 2018 study from RescueTime. Forty percent of respondents said they can't get 30 minutes of uninterrupted work time. Data suggests works tools may pose as much a distraction as those dedicated to personal use. Some workers find the line is blurred between work and personal tasks because they're toggling between dozens of apps during the day, a survey by GoTo revealed.
Other workplace distractions that drain productivity are widespread: office chatting, phone calls and socializing add interruptions that make it challenging for workers to stay focused, a May 2018 report revealed. While most employees find themselves distracted at work, few will ask for help to alleviate the problem: A survey from Udemy found that 70% of respondents said training could help them become more focused on their jobs, but 66% have never asked for such training.