Workplace inefficiencies could cost $85b annually: report

Fragmented digital experiences fuel inefficiency and workplace stress.

Singapore could be losing up to $85b annually due to inefficiencies in the workplace, according to Notion’s new research.

This translates to 12.5% of the national gross domestic product (GDP).

Local office workers lose an average of 66 minutes daily to inefficient work, equivalent to more than five hours per week on low-value tasks.

The research points to fragmented digital experiences as the primary cause of lost productivity.

Nearly half of workers report using three to four different tools daily, whilst over a quarter rely on five or more.

But the real issue lies at the organisational level, with many departments operating in separate, siloed systems.

This constant tool-switching, which can happen up to ten times a day, contributes to cognitive burden, and 48% of workers say it directly adds to their workplace stress.

Workers lose significant time searching for information across platforms, with almost 25% spending one to two hours daily searching for documents and data.

In fact, 42% identified this search process as one of the biggest inefficiencies in their work, second only to constantly switching between tools.

Singapore’s office workers see AI as a promising solution to these challenges. According to the research, 82% would adopt AI tools that could significantly reduce time spent searching for information or switching between platforms.

Younger professionals lead this trend, with 85% of Gen Z respondents showing strong interest in AI-powered workflows, compared to 76% of Gen X.

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