Remote workers often find time to complete household chores and other duties during their workday, but they may also engage in leisure activities such as watching TV. In fact, Gen Z employees watch nearly an hour of TV each day at work, according to an analysis by TollFreeForwarding.com based on time use survey data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the report, viewers will be able to watch all 236 episodes of the Friends series nearly two and a half times in one year. And in the end, they pay more than $8,000 a year for TV viewing, the report said.
Looks like there’s a problem.
But while watching TV, napping, exercising, and other activities may be considered less productive during the workday, workers can still maintain concentration while multitasking. They claim that by maintaining a high level of productivity and taking short breaks after work, you’re actually becoming more productive. Come back refreshed.
ERIC, a job search platform for creative careers, recognizes that Gen Z staff watch TV while working and don’t see it as a problem. Six of our eight staff members are Gen Z and admit that they like to watch TV in the background while doing certain tasks. ERIC staff all work remotely, and “we consider that one of the perks of WFH,” says co-founder Samantha Hornsby.
“We’re kind of a results-driven business, so as long as you get the job done, we don’t really care how you do it,” co-founder May Yip said. “It’s almost like listening to music while doing monotonous tasks,” she said.
“It’s almost like listening to music while doing monotonous tasks.”
Mae Yip, co-founder of creative job search platform ERIC.
Some studies suggest that moderate levels of ambient noise may actually increase creativity. Yip said remote work can also be isolating and lack stimulation without real social interaction and connection, and can include very intense work periods. TV can replace a little bit of the sociability and activity you lose when it’s playing in the background.
Employers who see this as a hit to productivity need to rethink younger generations’ new ways of working and values when it comes to how work gets done, Yip said. It has also been influenced by the fact that more staff are aware of nervous diversity, and many have developed new ways of working while working from home to suit their personal preferences.
For some staff with ADHD, watching TV while working can be a similar experience to working in a coffee shop, providing enough stimulation to help them focus on the task at hand. Masu. Body doubling is another way of working that has become popular in the remote work era, where staff simply work silently next to each other. This is another strategy that some workers with ADHD find helpful in increasing stimulation and focus.
Deepak Shukla, CEO of digital marketing agency Pearl Lemon, also agrees that Gen Z is incorporating TV time into “mini-breaks” where they watch videos and clips on streaming platforms and smartphones. I’m aware.
“Mini-breaks, such as watching short episodes, TikTok shorts, or YouTube clips, provide a way to recharge in a short amount of time, allowing you to feel refreshed and more focused when you return to your tasks.” Streaming content can provide a mental reset, similar to how others take a walk or meditation break, he said.