Workers are putting in more hours. More than one-third of workers (36%) said they are logging more hours compared to the previous year. View a breakdown by generation, city, and specialization.
“The correlation between increased productivity and longer work hours is a complex issue that requires careful attention,” says Dawn Fay, operational president of Robert Half. “While advances in technology and enhanced processes have allowed for improved efficiencies, it’s critical to monitor employee well-being and burnout. Flexibility goes beyond work schedules. Hiring contract professionals to help with projects during busy seasons offers a flexible staffing solution that can help optimize productivity, boost employee morale, and support retention.”
About the research
Worker productivity is up. Nearly 7 in 10 hiring managers (68%) report an increase in employee productivity compared to one year ago. They say improved management practices (33%), enhanced staff training (31%), and the adoption of new technologies (29%) are contributing to greater output from their teams.
(Robert Half: Menlo Park, CA) — New research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half reveals a complex picture when it comes to worker productivity. While most managers report that their teams have become more productive, employees are logging more hours than they did a year ago. This trend raises potential concerns about employee burnout, morale, and turnover.
The online survey was developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm in June 2024. It includes responses from more than 2,500 workers aged 18 or older in the U.S., and more than 2,500 managers with hiring responsibilities in finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and human resources at companies with 20 or more employees in the United States.