Working hard or hardly working? More than half of workers have sent unneeded emails or messages just to show they are doing something

Date:
Sat, 08 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Description:
Office workers are feeling increasingly pressured to unnecessarily respond to emails and messages to prove that they are engaged with their workload

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter 52% of workers have sent
replies to message or emails simply to prove that they are working Focused work is being interrupted by the requirement to respond quickly, with
response speeds raised in performance evaluations More than half have replied at weekends, evenings, or even on annual leave to remain available and accessible Are you staying in touch with your boss? New research suggests
that career performance is being silently evaluated by speedy responses and availability, alongside traditional metrics, and this is resulting in employees interrupting focused work to reassure their managers.

A Use.AI survey of 15,842 adults across the United States, the European
Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Latin America has found
that 68% of employees believe that replying quickly demonstrates a higher level of commitment than slower colleagues. There could be an AI element to this, too, with respondents who work extensively with AI feeling that
response expectations are higher than those who have less exposure or requirement for the technology. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Fastest fingers first The results from the survey strongly suggest that managers and team leaders are demanding fast responses, but that this doesnt necessarily have the desired outcome.

For example, focused work has been interrupted by 48% of those surveyed in order to check emails or messages that might require an urgent response. Meanwhile, more than half (53%) have replied at weekends, evenings, or even
on annual leave to remain available and accessible to their line managers.
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Perhaps the most surprising result from the survey is that 52% say they have sent unnecessary messages or made changes to their status in messaging tools purely to demonstrate that they are working.

The new demands on employees have not gone unnoticed nor unmentioned. 42%
have found themselves discussing their speediness in responding to messages
in performance meetings. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up
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Curiously, despite completing work in a timely manner, 29% have been criticized for slow responses to messages, highlighting a curious conflict in communication. Is AI inflating expectations? The survey also explores the matter of how artificial intelligence tools are impacting workplace expectations. Here, it found that 62% who use AI widely have found expected response times to emails had decreased. Conversely, just 38% of those will less regular AI use noted the same change.

While this doesnt mean that AI caused that change, the results may suggest that the introduction of AI isnt just impacting workflows and productivity. Enhanced, smarter systems underpinned by LLMs and agentic solutions are introducing an unforeseen tension, a mistrust from management concerning employees ability to devote time to work.

AI is making routine communication almost effortless, but that convenience is also compressing expectations around response times, said Use.AIs Co-Founder and CEO, Ihor Herasymov. We risk mistaking responsiveness for productivity.

Fast responses to emails and messages may signal attentiveness, does this necessarily tally with solid results? Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/working-hard-or-hardly-working-more-than-half-of -workers-have-sent-unneeded-emails-or-messages-just-to-show-they-are-doing-som ething


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