The ActivTrak Productivity Lab has released its 2025 State of the Workplace: Workforce Trends & Productivity Benchmarks report, offering a data-driven analysis of evolving work habits. The study, based on three years of anonymized data from 218,900 employees across 777 companies, uncovers key trends in productivity, engagement, remote work, and AI adoption.
The findings indicate a 7% shorter workday but a 2% increase in productivity, reflecting greater efficiency in how employees manage their time. Additionally, AI adoption has surged by 107%, reshaping collaboration and focus dynamics in the workplace.
Findings from the 2025 Report
1. Productivity Trends
- Employees are more efficient: The average workday is now 8 hours 44 minutes—36 minutes shorter than previous years—while productive time has increased by 6 minutes (to 6 hours 17 minutes).
- Work sessions are longer: The average productive session has risen from 20 minutes to 24 minutes, a 20% improvement.
- Multitasking impacts focus: Focus efficiency has declined to 62%, with overall focus time dropping by 8%.
2. Work Location Insights
- Remote work remains dominant: 53% of employees work remotely for over 60% of the year.
- Remote employees are more productive: They achieve 29 more minutes of productivity per day compared to hybrid or office-based workers.
- Office-based employees show healthier work patterns: They record the highest percentage of healthy workdays (76%), 6% higher than remote workers.
3. AI Adoption & Its Impact on Work Patterns
- AI usage has doubled: 58% of employees now use AI tools—a 107% increase year-over-year.
- ChatGPT leads AI adoption: 27% of employees use ChatGPT, more than twice as much as the second-most used AI tool.
- AI tools don’t shorten workdays: AI users work 8 minutes longer per day and experience 27 minutes less focus time.
- More collaboration & multitasking: AI users spend 17 more minutes collaborating and 8 more minutes multitasking, indicating shifts in work habits.
4. Employee Engagement & Work Patterns
- Healthier work habits on the rise: 70% of employees now maintain healthy work patterns—the highest level in three years.
- Weekend work is increasing: 5% of employees work on weekends, reflecting a 9% increase from 2023. The trend varies depending on company size.
According to Gabriela Mauch, Chief Customer Officer & Head of Productivity Lab at ActivTrak, the report reveals that clearer expectations around remote work, core working hours, and balanced workloads are driving healthier workplace behaviors. With AI adoption accelerating and remote work stabilizing, businesses must reassess productivity strategies to align with these evolving trends.
