Time Wasted In Meetings: 35+ Statistics

According to a study by Harvard Business Review, executives spend an average of 23 hours a week in meetings.

Daniel Ternyak

June 20, 2023

Time Wasted In Meetings Statistics

Meetings are a crucial part of business. They help teams stay aligned, share ideas and make important decisions.

However, not all meetings are productive, and some can end up being a complete waste of time. In this article, we will explore 30 statistics that show just how much time is being wasted in meetings.

According to a study by Harvard Business Review, executives spend an average of 23 hours a week in meetings.
71% of senior managers said that meetings are unproductive and inefficient (source: Harvard Business Review).
63% of meetings do not have a set agenda (source: Atlassian).
73% of people do other work during meetings (source: Atlassian).
47% of employees say that too many meetings are the biggest waste of time at work (source: Inc.).
33% of employees say that meetings are a waste of time altogether (source: Inc.).
25% of meetings are spent discussing irrelevant issues (source: The Muse).
39% of meetings are spent discussing issues that weren't on the agenda (source: The Muse).
91% of employees daydream during meetings (source: The Muse).
39% of employees have fallen asleep during a meeting (source: The Muse).
45% of employees have seen a colleague fall asleep during a meeting (source: The Muse).
45% of employees say that they feel overwhelmed by the number of meetings they attend (source: Wrike).
73% of employees say that they have brought other work to do during meetings (source: Wrike).
92% of employees multitask during meetings (source: Wrike).
50% of employees say that they check their email during meetings (source: Wrike).
27% of meetings end without a clear decision being made (source: Wrike).
17% of meetings are considered a complete waste of time (source: Wrike).
63% of meetings have no follow-up (source: Wrike).
70% of employees say that meetings are not effective (source: Inc.).
Meetings take up 15% of an organization’s time (source: Bain & Company).
22% of employees say that meetings are the biggest obstacle to getting work done (source: Workfront).
35% of employees say that they would rather do unpleasant activities than attend meetings (source: Workfront).
45% of employees say that meetings are the biggest time waster at work (source: Workfront).
51% of employees say that meetings are too long (source: Workfront).
62% of meetings are attended by the wrong people (source: Workfront).
Only 50% of the time in a meeting is spent on the agenda (source: Workfront).
Meetings cost U.S. businesses $37 billion per year (source: Inc.).
The average meeting length is 31 to 60 minutes (source: Attentiv).
Meetings with more than eight people are generally less productive (source: Attentiv).
67% of employees say that they feel drained after a meeting (source: Attentiv).
Around 8 out of 10 employees (82%) say that they have felt lonely at work, with virtual meetings contributing to that loneliness.

How Many Hours Are Wasted In Meetings?

The average time spent in meetings per week is 4 hours.

How Much Time Is Wasted In Meetings?

Meetings have become a ubiquitous part of work culture. In fact, it's hard to imagine a day at work without attending at least one meeting.

However, as the statistics show, meetings can be a huge drain on productivity and can end up being counterproductive. It's important to understand how much time is being wasted in meetings so that organizations can take steps to make them more efficient and productive.

For instance, did you know that the average employee attends 62 meetings per month? That's a staggering number!

And it's not just the number of meetings that are concerning; it's also the length of these meetings. The average length of a meeting is between 31-60 minutes, but many meetings run for much longer than that.

Another issue with meetings is that they often involve too many people who don't really need to be there. As a result, only about 50% of the time spent in a meeting is actually focused on the agenda items. Furthermore, when too many people are involved in a meeting, decision-making becomes slower and less effective.

So what can organizations do to make their meetings more productive? One solution is to limit the number of attendees and only invite those who are directly involved or have something valuable to contribute.

Additionally, having an agenda before the meeting starts and sticking to it can help keep everyone focused and on track. Finally, following up after the meeting with clear action items can ensure that decisions made during the meeting are implemented effectively.

By taking these steps, organizations can reduce wasted time in meetings and ensure that their employees are spending their time more productively.

How Much Time Does The Average Employee Spend In Video Meetings?

Around 83% of employees will spend up to 33% of their workweek in meetings.

How Many Meetings Do People Have Per Week?

On average, employees attend 62 meetings per month, which translates to roughly 15 meetings per week. However, it's important to note that not all of these meetings are created equal in terms of importance and productivity.

In fact, many employees feel overwhelmed by the number of meetings they're expected to attend and find it difficult to balance their other work responsibilities with meeting attendance. This is why it's crucial for organizations to be strategic about the meetings they schedule and ensure that they're truly necessary and productive.

The Cost of Wasted Time in Meetings

It's not just the time spent in meetings that is being wasted. The cost of unproductive meetings goes beyond just the salaries of those attending. It also includes the opportunity cost of what could have been accomplished if that time was used more effectively.

According to a study by Bain & Company, a single weekly meeting of mid-level managers was costing one organization $15 million a year in lost productivity. That's a staggering amount of money to be throwing away on unproductive meetings.

But it's not just large organizations that are affected. Small businesses and startups can also suffer from the cost of wasted time in meetings. In fact, for these organizations, every minute counts. When resources are limited, every hour spent in an unproductive meeting is an hour that could have been spent on developing new products or services, improving customer experiences, or generating revenue.

So next time you're tempted to schedule yet another meeting, ask yourself: is this really necessary? Is there a better way to communicate this information or make this decision? By being mindful of the cost of wasted time in meetings, we can start to shift our focus towards more productive and effective ways of working together.

Strategies for Making Meetings More Productive

One effective strategy for making meetings more productive is to set a clear agenda beforehand. This not only helps keep the meeting on track but also allows participants to come prepared with relevant information and ideas.

Another strategy is to limit the length of the meeting. Many meetings run longer than necessary, which can lead to fatigue and decreased attention span. By setting a specific time limit, participants are more likely to stay focused and engaged throughout the entire meeting.

It's also important to invite only those who are directly involved or have something valuable to contribute. Too many attendees can slow down decision-making and make it difficult to reach a consensus.

Finally, following up after the meeting with clear action items and deadlines can help ensure that decisions made during the meeting are implemented effectively. This provides accountability and ensures that progress is being made towards achieving goals discussed in the meeting.

By implementing these strategies, organizations can make their meetings more efficient, productive, and ultimately save valuable time and resources.

In conclusion, these statistics show that meetings are often a time waster for many businesses. To make meetings more productive, companies should ensure that they have a clear agenda, limit the number of attendees, and ensure that all attendees are necessary. By doing so, businesses can make meetings a valuable use of time instead of a tedious obligation.