Three designers working together on a laptop
As the debate rages on about whether remote or in-office work yields the most productivity among workers, a new study suggests that workers who spend at least some time in the office have a healthier work-life balance than those who work remotely full time.
The survey, by productivity tracking firm DeskTime, found that the most productive employees operate on a cycle that includes 75 minutes of work followed by 33 minutes of rest. During peak remote work amid the pandemic, that ratio was less balanced, with people working 112 minutes for every 26 minutes of break time.
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“When DeskTime conducted the work/break ratio study back in 2021, we saw that working from home had immensely impacted workers’ ability to draw a line between work and life,” said DeskTime CEO Artis Rozentals. “Now, our latest productivity research shows we’re returning to more balanced working habits.”
The more balanced work cycle allows employees to take four breaks per day rather than the three breaks they typically took during an eight-hour workday while working remotely during COVID-19. Rozentals said working in an office environment naturally encourages more breaks as employees get coffee, talk with co-workers and attend to other tasks. While these interruptions may be perceived as unproductive, they are important for mental rejuvenation, employee wellbeing and strong workplace social dynamics, Rozentals said.
“Ultimately, my experience as a CEO has shown that the hybrid model is the goldilocks choice, as it best leverages both this in-office social dynamic and the deep focus afforded by remote work,” he added.
DeskTime has been studying work habits since 2014. The company’s original research found that the most productive people worked on average 52 minutes, followed by a 17-minute break. That 52/17 rule gained widespread popularity and continues to be cited as a benchmark for balanced productivity in the workplace.
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Kristen Smithberg
Kristen Smithberg is a Colorado-based freelance writer who covers commercial real estate, insurance, benefits and retirement topics for BenefitsPRO and other industry publications.
