Who's got the time? | There's a simple solution to increasing 'productivity', but you probably won't like it

We use the term ‘productivity’ constantly. And why not? It’s the perfect encapsulation of what we want out of our workers – a steady flow of good work, delivered on time. Did you over-deliver on your targets? Great, you’re productive. Are you quick and efficient? Congrats, you’re a productive worker.

But in many ways, productivity is a bit nonsensical. We heap so much praise on those who are seemingly being productive, however there are innumerable factors that play into one’s ability to do so.

Mental health and wellbeing; family life and care responsibilities; neurodiversity or physical disability; even simply being burned out by the constant need to be seen as productive in the first place are all totally excusable reasons for not living up to this universal standard for value that we hold in such high regard.

When we really dig into what being productive means, the whole thing falls apart even further. Research from GoRemotely states that the average employee is only productive for two hours and 53 minutes per day.