What Millennials Are Secretly Doing While Working From Home

Ever folded laundry during a video call, or snuck in an episode of your favorite show during work hours? You’re not alone.

A new survey conducted this month by Talker Research surveyed 1,000 Americans about their work-from-home habits. Spoiler alert: It’s not just spreadsheets and emails.

While 92 percent of all respondents admitted to doing something that wasn’t work while they were clocked in, there was one generation that stood out as the one most likely to sneak in a personal message while working from home: Millennials (born between 1981 and 2011). 1996).

HR strategist and organizational psychologist Etty Burk explains Newsweek that the shift to remote working reflects a broader shift in workplace culture.

“Flexibility has become a critical element for both businesses and employees to thrive,” said Burk. “Work-from-home (WFH), including hybrid models, is not just a perk; it is a way to support work-life balance, increase job satisfaction and attract great talent. But it does raise questions about productivity and responsibility.”

Netflix and work?

Of millennials, 55 percent admitted to watching TV during work hours. But that’s not all: they also cook (57 percent), do household chores (45 percent) and even sneak a nap (39 percent) between tasks.

This is compared to 26 percent of Generation Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) was the most likely to say they did none of the non-work activities in the survey, with 13 percent selecting ‘none of the above’.

It’s not just about catching up on sleep either; Nearly a third of millennials admit to shopping online, while 34 percent say they juggle childcare with work.

But for many businesses, multitasking from home isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Dima Eremin, CEO of BluedotHQ, an AI-powered Google Meet note taker, sees it as a sign of a healthy work-life balance.

“I don’t mind my employees shopping during work hours, as long as it doesn’t negatively impact their bottom line,” Eremin said. Newsweek. “Remote working offers flexibility and happier employees are often more productive.”

As Eremin’s company embraces a fully remote team spread around the world, he said the priority is on skills and performance, not whether someone takes their dog for an afternoon walk or does a quick workout (something 25 percent of millennials do by the way). ).

Employees get distracted

Yet not everyone is sold. Renante Altar, project manager at e-commerce company Creloaded, has reservations about remote working.

“There’s something you can’t replace about the energy of having everyone in the same room,” Altar shared Newsweek. “In the office, ideas flow naturally and projects move faster. When people work from home, they get distracted by personal things, and that’s why we’ve missed deadlines.”

Nevertheless, millennials seem to have fully embraced the mix of work and life. In addition to the more informal benefits of their home office, they also take time to meet friends (18 percent) or find a second job (16 percent) – all while doing their most important chore. It seems that for this generation, the flexibility of working from home is more than just a perk: it’s a lifestyle.

“While there used to be a strict boundary between work and personal time, remote work has necessitated flexibility,” says Burk. “As employees meet deadlines and get their work done, being able to complete personal tasks during the day can help reduce stress and improve overall productivity.

“It’s about focusing on results, not just time tracking. Of course, clear expectations and communication are crucial, but giving a little autonomy conveys confidence and helps make remote working more sustainable for everyone.”