A recent study commissioned by Logitech has revealed that nearly half of British workers believe they could accomplish just as much in half the time, with Millennials spearheading the adoption of AI and productivity tools in the workplace. The research found that 45% of UK employees have already implemented smart AI tools that allow them to be more productive in less time.
Productivity Gains and Workplace Culture
On average, workers feel they can complete a full day of work in roughly five hours and 15 minutes, rather than the conventional eight hours. More than two-thirds of employees (68%) say they now complete their work quicker than they previously did. However, workplace culture has not entirely kept pace with these productivity gains. Many employees say results matter more than hours, but feel unable to step away once their tasks are complete.
Measuring Productivity
Only 11% of workers believe hours worked is the most effective way to measure productivity. Instead, nearly a third (32%) say output and results are the most reasonable way to assess performance. Technology seems to be fuelling this transformation, with AI emerging as the UK's leading productivity hack. Some 44% of workers use tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or Grammarly to accelerate daily tasks.
Generational Differences in AI Adoption
While Gen Z are frequently labelled as tech natives, Millennials emerge as the generation most likely to be embracing AI at work. Nearly half (49%) of Millennials say they use AI tools to streamline tasks, compared with 44% of Gen Z. On average, UK workers claim they save more than an hour daily thanks to shortcuts, automation, and AI assistance, potentially reclaiming five hours each week.
Pressure to Stay Online
Despite these time savings, many workers report that the additional efficiency does not result in increased flexibility. Instead, some feel pressured to stay online or accessible, even after their main work is finished. Multi-screen setups that eliminate constant tab-switching, external keyboards, and precision mice that enable quicker navigation are all reported to make a meaningful difference.
Logitech’s Research and Products
This research emerges as Logitech recently unveiled the MX Master 4 mouse, which, according to Logitech experts, saves up to 33% of users' time with actions ring shortcuts and enhanced customisation compared to a standard mouse. This feature allows users to rapidly access customised commands and automate repetitive tasks with a single click. Logitech, a global technology brand specialising in productivity-boosting hardware, commissioned the workplace research to demonstrate the power of productivity tools in the workplace.
Hybrid Working and Productivity
Hybrid working now dominates the UK landscape, with 47% of workers in hybrid roles, 12% fully remote, and 42% fully office-based. More workers say they are more productive in the office (24%) than at home (21%). Yet a third (33%) maintain they perform best in a quiet, low-distraction environment, and 15% report that offices can be distracting due to noise and interruptions. Over a third (35%) prefer starting and finishing earlier, 33% say they are most productive when they manage their own hours, and 26% perform more effectively when working to task-based requirements rather than fixed shifts.
Impact on Work-Life Balance
Nearly a quarter (24%) say their current work schedule prevents them from spending more time with their families. Some 22% miss out on exercise or hobbies, while 21% say it stops them from travelling more. With workers trimming hours from their daily workloads and redefining what a full day actually looks like, the message to employers is unmistakable: productivity is no longer about bums on seats, but results on screens.
Rob Wells, Head of Northern Europe at Logitech, said: "What this research shows is that productivity today is less about working longer hours and more about working smarter. As more people use AI and digital tools to streamline tasks, the physical set-up they're working with becomes just as important. Simple things like a precision mouse, custom shortcuts, or a multi-device workflow can remove small friction points that add up over the course of a day and have a real impact on productivity and wellbeing. Tools like the MX range are designed to help people navigate tasks more efficiently, whether that's switching between applications, controlling multiple screens, or automating repetitive commands, so they can focus on the work that really matters."
