U.S. Workers Say They Waste 2 Hours A Day

4th and Long · 07-11-2005, 05:17 PM

U.S. Workers Say They Waste 2 Hours A Day
Personal Internet Use Ranks As Top Time-Wasting Activity

The average U.S. worker admits to wasting more than two hours a day at the workplace, according to a new survey conducted by America Online and Salary.com.

The survey found that the wasted time was double what employers expect and costs U.S. companies up to $759 billion a year.

How are workers spending that wasted time?

Top 10 Time-Wasting Activities

1. Surfing Internet (personal use)
2. Socializing with co-workers
3. Conducting personal business
4. Spacing out
5. Running errands off-premises
6. Making personal phone calls
7. Applying for other jobs
8. Planning personal events
9. Arriving late -- Leaving early
10. Other

According to the survey, most workers -- 44 percent -- used the time for personal Internet use, such as emails, message boards and chat rooms.

About 23 percent said they wasted time socializing with co-workers.

Other popular time-wasting activities cited in the survey included conducting personal business, "spacing out," running errands and making personal phone calls.

Bill Coleman, senior vice president at Salary.com, said employers build a certain amount of slacking off into the salary structure.

Coleman said employers expect workers to waste about an hour a day -- plus lunch.

"Our survey results show that workers on average are wasting a little more than twice what their employers expect. That's a startling figure," said Coleman.

But Coleman said in some cases, the wasted time turns into something positive for the company.

"Although in some cases this extra wasted time might be considered 'creative waste' -- time that may well have a positive impact on the company's culture, work environment, and even business results. Personal Internet use and casual office conversations often turn into new business ideas or suggestions for gaining operating efficiencies," he added.

According to the survey, the most popular excuse for wasting time at work was not having enough work to do.

Nearly a quarter of those surveyed said they squandered their work hours because they were underpaid.

Top 5 Excuses for Time-Wasting

1. Don't have enough work to do
2. Underpaid for amount of work I do
3. Co-workers distract me
4. Not enough evening or weekend time
5. Other

The survey found that men and women waste about the same amount of time per day at work, despite the fact that most HR managers surveyed suspected that women waste more time than men.

The survey also found that older workers tend to waste less time at work than younger workers.

Workers over 55 years old wasted an average of just 30 minutes a day, according to the survey.

America Online and Salary.com interviewed 10,044 workers in the online survey.

Top 10 Time-Wasting States

1. Missouri -- 3.2 Hrs/Day

2. Indiana -- 2.8 Hrs/Day
3. Kentucky -- 2.8 Hrs/Day
4. Wisconsin -- 2.8 Hrs/Day
5. Nevada -- 2.7 Hrs/Day
6. Oklahoma -- 2.7 Hrs/Day
7. Virginia -- 2.7 Hrs/Day
8. Pennsylvania -- 2.6 Hrs/day
9. Connecticut -- 2.5 Hrs/day
10. Idaho -- 2.5 Hrs/day

We're not wasting time. We are just terribly efficient at our jobs and get the work done early.

Pants · 07-11-2005, 05:19 PM

7 probably sounds awfully familiar to Rainman.

Miles · 07-11-2005, 05:22 PM

Bob Slydell: You see, what we're trying to do is get a feeling for how people spend their time at work so if you would, would you walk us through a typical day, for you?

Peter Gibbons: Yeah.

Bob Slydell: Great.

Peter Gibbons: Well, I generally come in at least fifteen minutes late, ah, I use the side door - that way Lumbergh can't see me, heh - after that I sorta space out for an hour.

Bob Porter: Da-uh? Space out?

Peter Gibbons: Yeah, I just stare at my desk, but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too, I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work.

Buster's Dad · 07-11-2005, 06:00 PM

now I know how some of these guys got 30 to 40 thousand posts

**Saulbadguy** · 07-11-2005, 06:00 PM

I'm way over 3.2 hours wasted a day.

PastorMikH · 07-11-2005, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4th and Long

Top 10 Time-Wasting Activities

1. Surfing Internet (personal use)

According to the survey, most workers -- 44 percent -- used the time for personal Internet use, such as emails, message boards and chat rooms

Good thing no one around here was surveyed, that % would have gone up as well as the amount of time spent.

shaneo69 · 07-11-2005, 06:13 PM

I think Missouri's ranking is gonna drop now that I started my new job on 7/1 and don't have time to surf the net anymore at work.

**Iowanian** · 07-11-2005, 06:15 PM

Chiefsplanet is going to Fug that Curve up.

The Rest of the state is probably at .25hrs/day

**luv** · 07-12-2005, 12:46 AM

Those are definately office workers. No one in production (including us supervisors) have internet access. I would say we waste just as much time though. Between going to the bathroom umpteen times, swapping CD's with a neighbor, switching out CD's, stopping work in order to turn and talk to a neighbor, coming in late, leaving early, etc. There are other job specific ways to waste time (like setting up stations, choosing batches to work, etc). Not on our shift though. We're cutting down cuz the two supervisors are real bitches.

chiefqueen · 07-12-2005, 04:52 AM

I shouldn't be posting on this thread...........I'm not @ work yet.

MeaTy The Pimp · 07-12-2005, 04:56 AM

Amateurs....
I can easily waste 5 or 6 hours of the workday...

**ptlyon** · 07-12-2005, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeaTy The Pimp

Amateurs....
I can easily waste 5 or 6 hours of the workday...

Wuss - more like 8 for me.

MOhillbilly · 07-12-2005, 08:05 AM

europeans get like 2 months off a year and dont work 40 hours.
**** this study.

Cntrygal · 07-12-2005, 08:42 AM

I waste more time answering the damn phone from upper management. One of them will call with a "priority" job, and as soon as I hang up (sometimes even before I hang up), one of the other ****ers that work right across the hall from the jackass I'm talking to - calls. ABOUT THE SAME DAMN JOB. Finally I got pissed and asked the higher rank of the two if any of them up there EVER talked to each other. Because I wasn't getting a damn thing done as long as they were bothering me.

StcChief · 07-12-2005, 08:52 AM

I've seen worse than two hours a day.

07-11-2005, 05:17 PM
4th and Long Wheeeeee!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: In a house Casino cash: $9314925	U.S. Workers Say They Waste 2 Hours A Day U.S. Workers Say They Waste 2 Hours A Day Personal Internet Use Ranks As Top Time-Wasting Activity The average U.S. worker admits to wasting more than two hours a day at the workplace, according to a new survey conducted by America Online and Salary.com. The survey found that the wasted time was double what employers expect and costs U.S. companies up to $759 billion a year. How are workers spending that wasted time? Top 10 Time-Wasting Activities 1. Surfing Internet (personal use) 2. Socializing with co-workers 3. Conducting personal business 4. Spacing out 5. Running errands off-premises 6. Making personal phone calls 7. Applying for other jobs 8. Planning personal events 9. Arriving late -- Leaving early 10. Other According to the survey, most workers -- 44 percent -- used the time for personal Internet use, such as emails, message boards and chat rooms. About 23 percent said they wasted time socializing with co-workers. Other popular time-wasting activities cited in the survey included conducting personal business, "spacing out," running errands and making personal phone calls. Bill Coleman, senior vice president at Salary.com, said employers build a certain amount of slacking off into the salary structure. Coleman said employers expect workers to waste about an hour a day -- plus lunch. "Our survey results show that workers on average are wasting a little more than twice what their employers expect. That's a startling figure," said Coleman. But Coleman said in some cases, the wasted time turns into something positive for the company. "Although in some cases this extra wasted time might be considered 'creative waste' -- time that may well have a positive impact on the company's culture, work environment, and even business results. Personal Internet use and casual office conversations often turn into new business ideas or suggestions for gaining operating efficiencies," he added. According to the survey, the most popular excuse for wasting time at work was not having enough work to do. Nearly a quarter of those surveyed said they squandered their work hours because they were underpaid. Top 5 Excuses for Time-Wasting 1. Don't have enough work to do 2. Underpaid for amount of work I do 3. Co-workers distract me 4. Not enough evening or weekend time 5. Other The survey found that men and women waste about the same amount of time per day at work, despite the fact that most HR managers surveyed suspected that women waste more time than men. The survey also found that older workers tend to waste less time at work than younger workers. Workers over 55 years old wasted an average of just 30 minutes a day, according to the survey. America Online and Salary.com interviewed 10,044 workers in the online survey. Top 10 Time-Wasting States 1. Missouri -- 3.2 Hrs/Day 2. Indiana -- 2.8 Hrs/Day 3. Kentucky -- 2.8 Hrs/Day 4. Wisconsin -- 2.8 Hrs/Day 5. Nevada -- 2.7 Hrs/Day 6. Oklahoma -- 2.7 Hrs/Day 7. Virginia -- 2.7 Hrs/Day 8. Pennsylvania -- 2.6 Hrs/day 9. Connecticut -- 2.5 Hrs/day 10. Idaho -- 2.5 Hrs/day We're not wasting time. We are just terribly efficient at our jobs and get the work done early.
Posts: 19,788

07-11-2005, 05:19 PM	#2
Pants Time Keeps On Slipping Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $5669900	7 probably sounds awfully familiar to Rainman. __________________ "Turn the channel to 26!"
Posts: 27,294

07-11-2005, 05:22 PM	#3
Miles MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Casino cash: $1622400	Bob Slydell: You see, what we're trying to do is get a feeling for how people spend their time at work so if you would, would you walk us through a typical day, for you? Peter Gibbons: Yeah. Bob Slydell: Great. Peter Gibbons: Well, I generally come in at least fifteen minutes late, ah, I use the side door - that way Lumbergh can't see me, heh - after that I sorta space out for an hour. Bob Porter: Da-uh? Space out? Peter Gibbons: Yeah, I just stare at my desk, but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too, I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work.
Posts: 14,521

07-11-2005, 06:00 PM	#4
Buster's Dad retired mean ole man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Scott City, Ks. Casino cash: $10004900	now I know how some of these guys got 30 to 40 thousand posts __________________ I'm old, I'm tired, and I may blow up at anytime so don't mess with me, other than that I'm a pussycat
Posts: 600

07-11-2005, 06:00 PM	#5
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2596966	I'm way over 3.2 hours wasted a day. __________________ http://www.goemaw.com
Posts: 46,966

07-11-2005, 06:13 PM	#7
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $10004900	I think Missouri's ranking is gonna drop now that I started my new job on 7/1 and don't have time to surf the net anymore at work. __________________ "I like Chiefs president Carl Peterson. I respect his business savvy. I envy his management skills and his penchant never to be driven by the whims of popularity. I admire his willingness to take responsibility for decisions that don’t work out the way he would have wanted." - Rufus, from KCChiefs.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 4,910

07-11-2005, 06:15 PM	#8
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4738454	Chiefsplanet is going to Fug that Curve up. The Rest of the state is probably at .25hrs/day
Posts: 61,539

07-12-2005, 12:46 AM	#9
luv MY LITTLE #15 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $6219600	Those are definately office workers. No one in production (including us supervisors) have internet access. I would say we waste just as much time though. Between going to the bathroom umpteen times, swapping CD's with a neighbor, switching out CD's, stopping work in order to turn and talk to a neighbor, coming in late, leaving early, etc. There are other job specific ways to waste time (like setting up stations, choosing batches to work, etc). Not on our shift though. We're cutting down cuz the two supervisors are real bitches.
Posts: 63,432

07-12-2005, 04:52 AM	#10
chiefqueen On my throne Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $8172060	I shouldn't be posting on this thread...........I'm not @ work yet.
Posts: 4,179

07-12-2005, 04:56 AM	#11
MeaTy The Pimp Who's the masta??? Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Louisville Ky Casino cash: $3340000	Amateurs.... I can easily waste 5 or 6 hours of the workday...
Posts: 666

07-12-2005, 08:05 AM	#13
MOhillbilly Mama Tried Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $9949903	europeans get like 2 months off a year and dont work 40 hours. **** this study. __________________ True Son of Liberty
Posts: 23,371

07-12-2005, 08:42 AM	#14
Cntrygal Brrrrr..... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: USA!!! :) Casino cash: $9954930	I waste more time answering the damn phone from upper management. One of them will call with a "priority" job, and as soon as I hang up (sometimes even before I hang up), one of the other ****ers that work right across the hall from the jackass I'm talking to - calls. ABOUT THE SAME DAMN JOB. Finally I got pissed and asked the higher rank of the two if any of them up there EVER talked to each other. Because I wasn't getting a damn thing done as long as they were bothering me.
Posts: 4,793

07-12-2005, 08:52 AM	#15
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	I've seen worse than two hours a day. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901