The team of researchers behind the time-tracking software DeskTime (based in Riga, Latvia) believes that most of us are not organizing our days effectively. They assert that the key to productive work lies in taking regular breaks.
Experts argue that we need more breaks, and they should be more frequent than we previously thought.
According to a study conducted by the time-tracking team, which is used by tens of thousands of companies, the most productive employees have adopted a work-rest schedule of 75/33. This means they work for 75 minutes and then take a 33-minute break, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Artiš Rozentāls, the lead researcher and CEO of the company, noted that this cycle is better suited for office environments than for remote work.
“Our recent productivity studies have shown that we are returning to more balanced work habits. The 75/33 ratio may be linked to the resurgence of office work,” said Mr. Rozentāls.
What Did the Researchers Find?
To uncover the secret of a productive workday, the team analyzed the work habits of 6,000 users of the time tracker throughout 2024. As mentioned earlier, the most productive participants in the study worked for 75 minutes before taking a full 33-minute break.
Interestingly, previous DeskTime studies from 2014 and 2021 yielded quite different results. The 2014 analysis revealed that peak productivity was achieved by individuals who worked for about 52 minutes, followed by a 17-minute break. Meanwhile, the 2021 study indicated that the most productive work-rest ratio was 112/26.
“When the company studied the ratio of work time to breaks in 2021, it became clear that remote work significantly affected people’s ability to draw a line between work and personal life,” noted Mr. Rozentāls.
The data from the new study convinced him that employees demonstrate the highest productivity in an office setting. The CEO explained, “When working in an office, we tend to take more breaks—for coffee, conversations with colleagues, and so on.”
And while these breaks may seem unproductive at first glance, the expert believes they are crucial for rejuvenation and employee well-being. Additionally, they provide the “necessary social dynamics in the workplace.”