UK employees waste an average of nine hours each week — more than an entire working day — searching for necessary information, a new survey reveals, an inefficiency contributing to the nation’s ongoing productivity challenges.
The survey, by software firm Atlassian, shows that 48% of UK workers’ time is consumed by “busy work,” such as sharing information, tracking down colleagues and resolving misunderstandings, rather than focusing on critical tasks.
Over half of employees believe that the only way to get the information they need is by asking someone or scheduling a meeting. Consequently, 55% find their work often stalled while awaiting information from other teams, and 34% feel that collaborating with other departments slows down progress.
It’s not unique to the UK either. A report by management consultants McKinsey indicates that employees spend an average of 1.8 hours daily — equivalent to 9.3 hours per week — searching for and gathering information.
Implications for UK Productivity
The UK’s productivity has been a subject of concern for years. According to the Office for National Statistics, output per hour worked in the UK was 0.1% lower in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the base year of 2022, indicating stagnation.
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research reports that nearly a decade of welfare reductions and stagnant incomes have led to a decline in the UK’s standing among affluent nations. Declining productivity growth and welfare cuts are primary contributors to stagnant real wages, threatening the country’s high living standards.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Productivity
Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a promising solution to these challenges. The Atlassian survey suggests that 59% of the UK workforce believes AI will improve the speed and quality of their team’s work, and 43% feel that AI helps them be better teammates. But to fully leverage AI’s potential, robust training is essential, as over two-thirds (67%) of UK workers think they could use AI more effectively to discover and manage information.
Implementing AI-driven knowledge management systems can significantly reduce the time employees spend searching for information. For instance, IBM’s Watson technology can process vast amounts of data in a fraction of the time it would take a human worker, making intelligent recommendations and identifying trends.
Strategies for Improving Information Accessibility
To combat information overload and improve productivity, experts say organisations can implement several strategies:
- Unified Knowledge Management Systems: Developing a centralised repository where employees can easily access information reduces dependence on external sources and minimises time spent searching for data.
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- Standardised Processes and Tools: Ensuring that all teams across an organisation use the same processes and tools can streamline workflows and reduce inefficiencies. The survey indicates that 40% of UK workers advocate for uniform processes, and 30% support the use of standardised tools.
- AI Integration: Incorporating AI technologies to manage and retrieve information can enhance efficiency and reduce the time spent on non-essential tasks.
The Broader Impact on Employee Wellbeing
The inefficiencies in information management not only affect productivity but also employee wellbeing. The survey reveals that nearly two-thirds (64%) of UK workers feel more overwhelmed with the current pace of work than a few years ago. This sense of being overwhelmed can lead to workplace burnout, further diminishing productivity and increasing staff turnover.
Head of Teamwork Labs at Atlassian Dr Molly Sands said workers needed instant access to information to do their jobs properly and productively.
“This research highlights a critical issue in the modern workplace: the systems designed to support employees are not keeping pace with the increasing demands of work,” she said. “As teams become more cross-functional, the inability to quickly access information is creating bottlenecks that slow progress.
She added that “[t]his ‘digital hide-and-seek’ not only wastes time but also stifles creativity and innovation, as employees are forced to focus on administrative tasks rather than high-impact work”.