Why "Time Poverty' is damaging to business

There is an old saying that ‘Time is money’, however many people struggle to draw the correlation between the two. In many ways, today’s new world of work has given us the opportunity to save time, multi task and achieve better work-life harmony. So why are so many workers still feeling that they have so much to do and not enough time to do it?

If you have ever heard yourself mutter that there are not enough hours in the day; you are not alone. Increasingly, employees are sharing that they are time poor, and it is having disastrous results on productivity, effective collaboration and employee wellbeing. It appears the term ‘Time Poverty’ has crept its way into our vocabulary and organisations are seeking to find ways to eliminate it.

What does ‘Time Poverty’ mean?

‘Time Poverty’ is commonly described as “the chronic feeling of having too many things to do and not enough time to do them in”.  Many people are susceptible, but especially those who have to balance multiple responsibilities such as work, family, and personal interests. Time poverty can have negative impacts on well-being, health, and productivity.

Time poverty is a global problem, and it can affect anyone regardless of age, income, education or occupation. However, it can impact some groups more than others. For example, a single mother juggling the responsibilities of home and work life is more at risk.

Some employers believe that time poverty is a personal issue, but that is not the case. It has serious consequences for an employee’s health and wellbeing, but there is also a hidden cost to employers if this issue is left unchecked or becomes systemic throughout the organisation.

What Causes Time Poverty?

Time poverty is the result of multiple factors which are both external and internal.

Some of the external factors include: The demands of work: Many employees work long hours, have tight deadlines and can be susceptible to high levels of stress at work. This can spill over into ‘personal time’ through emails and calls; blurring the lines. The demands of family: Many employees have family responsibilities such as childcare or eldercare and others are part of both – being the ‘sandwich generation’. These tasks are often underpaid and undervalued by society. Single parents and low income families can face even greater challenges as they have less access to support services. The demands of society: The Australian culture values achievement, productivity, efficiency and status. We are living in a world where there is non stop technology, endless options for entertainment, consumption and opportunities. We want to do more, be more and have more. This can create a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) or overload us. Some of the internal factors include: Our perception of time: This means how we perceive time can affect how we use it. Some people will have a scarcity mindset, which means that they believe that time is limited and finite. These people tend to focus on what they lack or what they have to do. Others have an abundance mindset, which means that they believe that time is flexible and abundant. They tend to focus on what they have or what they need to do. Our priorities and value: What we prioritise and value can influence how we allocate our time. Some people will always prioritise family and others will put work first. In addition, some people value quality over quantity and vice versa. Some people will have clear goals and plans for their time and others are more spontaneous or reactive. Our habits and routines: How we organise our daily activities can affect how we experience time. Some people have structured schedules and routines that help them manage their time effectively. Others have chaotic or inconsistent patterns that make them lose track of time or waste time on distractions. How does Time Poverty impact our lives?

Time poverty can have negative effects on various aspects of our lives, such as:

Physical health: Time poverty can lead to poor health outcomes, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or insomnia. This is due to not having the time to engage in healthy behaviours such as exercising, eating well, sleeping well or seeking medical care.   Mental health: Time poverty can cause psychological distress, such as anxiety, depression, burnout, or low self-esteem. This is due to a reduction of a sense of control, autonomy or satisfaction with life. Time poverty can also impair our cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention, or creativity. Ai Group has Consulting Services on Psychosocial Hazards to support employers and empower them with knowledge and tools.  Relationships: Time poverty can harm our relationships with others, such as family members, friends, or colleagues as our ability to communicate, connect and support each other is reduced.  Time poverty can also increase conflict, resentment, or isolation. Work performance: Time poverty can impact work performance, including productivity, innovation, sales and quality. This is attributed to a reduction of motivation, engagement and learning at work. It can also increase errors, mistakes, or accidents. What are the hidden costs of Time Poverty for employers?

There is no question that time poverty has determinantal impacts to the worker, however there are also costs to the employer. Some of the common ramifications of time poverty at work include:

Lower productivity and efficiency: Time-poor workers may struggle to complete their tasks on time, meet deadlines, or prioritise their work. They may also experience more errors, mistakes, or rework. This can impact motivation as well as quality and quantity.  Higher stress and burnout: Time-poor workers may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or anxious by the demands of their work. They may also have less time for rest, relaxation, or personal activities. This can result in an impact to physical and mental health as well as performance and engagement.  Reduced creativity and innovation: Time-poor workers may have less time or opportunity to think creatively, explore new ideas, or learn new skills. They may also be more reluctant to take risks, experiment, or collaborate with others. This can impact an employee’s ability to adapt to change, solve problems and generate value.   Increased turnover and absenteeism: Time-poor workers may be more likely to quit their jobs, look for other opportunities, or take personal leave. They may also be less loyal, committed, or satisfied with their employer. This can impact recruitment, retention and attraction of talent. Furthermore, the employer’s reputation may become tainted.   Therefore, Time Poverty can have significant hidden costs for employers, such as: Lost revenue and profit: Time poverty can reduce the sales, income, or growth potential of the organisation. Concerningly, it can also increase waste, expenses or inefficiencies.  Damaged reputation and brand: Time poverty can affect the quality, reliability, or customer satisfaction of the products or services offered by the organisation. Unfortunately, it can also impact the trust and loyalty of customer and stakeholders.   Reduced competitiveness and sustainability: Time poverty can affect the innovation, differentiation, or value proposition of the organisation. Furthermore, it can also affect the resilience, adaptability and future readiness of the business.  

Given these negative impacts, it is recommended that employers are aware of the hidden costs of time poverty and take proactive steps to address it.

Some of the possible solutions include: Setting realistic and clear goals and expectations for workers Providing flexible and autonomous work arrangements for workers Encouraging and rewarding quality over quantity of work Providing adequate resources and support for workers Promoting a healthy and positive work culture Encouraging and facilitating work-life harmony for workers Providing tools and training to employees to assist in optimising time Some tools for employees to minimise Time Poverty include: Plan and schedule time to prioritise tasks, set realistic goals and avoid procrastination. Use time blocking as a technique to divide the day into blocks of time dedicated to tasks. Get rid of distractions by turning off notifications, closing unnecessary tabs or apps, putting your phone on silent or flight mode, wearing headphones, or finding a quiet place to work.  Delegate or outsource tasks that are not essential, urgent, or enjoyable for you. You can ask for help from your family, friends, colleagues, or professionals who can do the tasks faster, better, or cheaper than you.  Saying no may seem hard, but it ensures that you do not take on too many commitments or obligations that are not aligned with your values, goals, or interests. You can avoid this by learning to say no to requests or invitations that are not relevant, necessary, or beneficial for you.  Think abundantly rather than thinking about what little time you have, reverse that mindset. Consider the amount of time you have going forward. Consider all the hours and days you can fill with purposeful activity. Simulate urgency and pretend that you have a deadline for everything you want to do. This is very effective to overcome procrastination, focus on the priorities and get things done. What are you going to do with your 24 hours today?

There is no question that time poverty creeps in like an unwelcome visitor. It can have many negative consequences that impact productivity, health, happiness and engagement. It may seem like overcoming it is too high a mountain to climb, but we can conquer time poverty by being self-aware and intentional with our time and using science based solutions that create more balance and purpose in our lives. We all have the same 24 hours in each day. How will you use yours today?

Further information

For assistance with your workplace matters, Members of Ai Group can contact us or call our Workplace Advice Line on 1300 55 66 77 for further information.  Ai Group has offers a range of development for a broad range of needs through our training programs.

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