A new report from Microsoft warns that employees are experiencing an “infinite workday” of constant emails, meetings, and notifications, leading to burnout. According to the company’s data, workers check their emails as early as 6 a.m., juggle meetings throughout the day, and stay online until late at night.
The extended hours, combined with frequent interruptions from meetings, emails, and messages, have resulted in people feeling overwhelmed. Microsoft’s Work Trend Index survey found that 48% of employees and 52% of leaders reported that work feels “chaotic and fragmented.”
Senior research director Alexia Cambon attributes the issue to outdated work models that haven’t evolved with technology advancements. The report suggests that remote work has blurred the boundaries between work and life, making it difficult for employees to disconnect.
To mitigate these issues, Microsoft predicts that workplaces will shift certain responsibilities from human employees to AI agents, allowing leaders to reclaim time for high-value tasks. However, Cambon emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing human connection to avoid burnout.
The report’s findings are concerning, as workers are spending an average of 117 emails and 153 Teams messages each workday. With this level of distraction, it’s no wonder that people are feeling burnt out.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/20/workers-are-stuck-in-infinite-workday-according-to-microsoft-report.html