The global survey conducted by Slack and Qualtrics highlights a concerning trend of workers in Asia, particularly in India, Japan, and Singapore, spending a significant amount of time on “performative work,” where the focus is on appearing busy rather than engaging in truly productive tasks. This phenomenon is exacerbated by a disconnect between leaders’ perceptions of productivity and actual outcomes. The survey found that metrics like online activity and email volume are the primary ways leaders gauge productivity.
This pressure for visibility and immediate responsiveness can lead to longer work hours, over-participation in meetings, and excessive email correspondence. Despite these expectations, most workers express a desire for productivity measurement based on key performance indicators, meaningful conversations with managers, and a focus on specific task hours. This implies a need to shift away from activity metrics toward more outcome-oriented assessment methods.
Interestingly, the report also underscores the preference for asynchronous work, which allows tasks to be completed without real-time constraints. This preference emerged strongly during the pandemic, indicating a need for flexibility and work-life balance. Respondents indicated that flexible schedules and locations contribute more to productivity than unique workplace benefits or office improvements.
In terms of returning to the office, workers emphasize the value of community and collaborative brainstorming, favoring these aspects over tasks that can be accomplished remotely. Microsoft’s research aligns with this sentiment, highlighting the importance of socializing with colleagues for office motivation.
Ultimately, the survey suggests the importance of reevaluating traditional work practices, adopting outcome-driven assessment methods, and embracing flexible and asynchronous work arrangements. By aligning work environments with specific tasks and acknowledging the need for community and collaboration, companies can foster genuine productivity and employee well-being.
