Remote Work Has Created The Infinite Workday

Microsoft's new Work Trend Index Special Report reveals that the traditional 9-to-5 workday is fading, replaced by an "infinite workday" where knowledge workers are constantly connected — starting early, ending late, and bleeding into weekends.

Data from millions of users of Microsoft 365 productivity apps like Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, etc. shows workers are interrupted every 1.75 minutes during business hours, with many meetings and messages now occurring outside of regular hours.

Remote work and global teams have normalized this always-on culture, but it comes at the cost of focus, rest, and mental health.

While flexibility can help people work on their own terms, it also makes it hard to unplug — a key driver of burnout.

Microsoft argues that AI can help alleviate some of this work, but so far it doesn't seem to be making a dent.

Sources Microsoft, "Work Trend Index Special Report," Axios.

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