A new survey from Adobe for Business of more than 1,000 full-time U.S. employees points to a growing productivity problem inside organizations: work itself isn’t the issue—how it’s managed is.
Respondents report losing significant time to low-value tasks, fragmented tools, and constant interruptions, with many saying these issues have contributed to stress, burnout, and even job exits.
Time Lost to Low-Impact Work Adds Up
On average, workers estimate they lose the equivalent of 91 business days each year on administrative and low-impact tasks such as data entry, scheduling, and internal reporting. Healthcare workers report the highest losses, followed by finance and marketing.
On-site employees are particularly affected, spending 16% more time on low-value work than remote peers. They are also significantly more likely to cite coworker interruptions as their top productivity barrier.
Across industries, distractions from coworkers emerged as the single biggest driver of lost productivity.
Work Management Issues Are Fueling Stress and Turnover
More than half of surveyed employees say work management problems have caused stress over the past year. Nearly one in three report leaving a job because of poor work management practices.
The impact varies by role and seniority. Entry-level employees are more likely to struggle with inefficient workflows, while senior leaders report higher rates of interruptions. Industry differences also stand out, with finance workers reporting the highest stress levels linked to work organization.
Long Hours Remain the Norm
Nearly seven in ten respondents say they regularly work outside scheduled hours. Technology workers reported the highest volume of extra time, followed by marketing employees.
The data suggests that unclear priorities and inefficient workflows—not workload alone—are extending the workday and eroding work-life balance.
Fragmented Tools Are a Common Pain Point
Respondents point to poor integration between tools, confusing workflows, and a lack of centralized systems as persistent obstacles. Many say they spend more time tracking information across platforms than doing strategic work.
Employees estimate that a unified workflow system could save them an average of 38 days per year, while also reducing stress and improving clarity around priorities.
Productivity Gains Are Tied to Structure, Not Speed
Across roles and industries, the findings point to a shared conclusion: productivity improvements are less about working faster and more about reducing friction. Employees say clearer priorities, fewer tools, and better-connected workflows would have the greatest impact on efficiency and well-being.
As organizations continue investing in AI and automation, the data suggests that tools alone are not enough. Without structural changes to how work is planned, tracked, and executed, productivity gains may remain elusive.
