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Jamie Lawrence

Wagestream

Insights Director

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Multitasking can ‘increase error rates by 50%’

statattack

Stat attack gives you the facts, figures, numbers and survey results you need to keep on top of developments and changes in sentiment in the HR and L&D industries, all in an easy to digest format. It’s your regular dose of facts and figures, parcelled up for easy reading.

Context:

These statistics are from research from workplace equipment manufacturer Steelcase on effectiveness at work and the things that stop employees from remaining effective.

Key findings:

  • Multitasking can increase the error rates made by employees by 50%

Other related findings:

  • The brain’s capacity is limited and complete focus isn’t usually possible for longer than 45 minutes.
  • Mindfulness has proven to increase gamma activity in the brain, indicating intensely focused thought.
  • Movement – as opposed to static sitting – stimulates production of the protein BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which helps brain areas vital to learning, memory and concept thinking.

Key questions to ask yourself:

  • Are you facilitating employees to ‘chunk’ their time and avoid doing too many things at once?
  • Do your employees understand how simple changes can affect focus
  • Is your workplace open plan in order to ‘encourage collaboration?’ If so, have you thought about how distractions can affect peoples’ focus?

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One Response

  1. 76% of all statistics are
    76% of all statistics are made up on the spot. A quoted figure of 50 rings alarm bells of fudged data unless a study can be cited.
    Hi-freq Gamma waves reflect the most chaotic brain activity, and mindfulness meditation trains at alpha-SMR frequencies of below 15Hz.
    Geoff Kirwood, theMindfulGap.com.au

Author Profile Picture
Jamie Lawrence

Insights Director

Read more from Jamie Lawrence