In this digitally driven world, employers often seek employees who can multitask because they believe it can increase productivity and efficiency in the workplace. While multitasking may seem like a productivity booster, it can also lead to decreased focus, poorer work quality, and increased stress levels. Multitasking has been proven to reduce productivity and job performance: You waste time as your brain shifts gears from one activity to another, causing stress and potentially leading to burnout.

When you multitask, you attempt to perform multiple tasks simultaneously or switch between tasks. Even though research suggests that frequent multitasking may be less efficient, especially for complicated or unfamiliar tasks, it’s still touted as a positive asset in the workplace. Multitasking impacts concentration and cognition, requiring shifting mental gears as you switch between tasks.

What to say: “I’m happy to share some research with you if you're interested in learning more about how we might optimize our work productivity.”

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