4 Tips for Holding Meetings Without Cutting Productivity
New survey data shows 72 percent of employees suffer burnout from too many meetings.
Workplace gripes about endless meetings are as universal as traffic jams or flight cancellations—but new survey data now puts hard numbers behind those frustrations, revealing just how much time and money unproductive meetings are costing businesses.
A recent study by Software Finder, a tech product advisory platform, surveyed 1,000 U.S. employees and found that 72% report chronic fatigue or burnout due to the sheer volume of meetings—whether virtual or in-person. Even more concerning for employers: nearly half (46%) of all meetings—ranging from team check-ins and client calls to one-on-ones with managers—are seen by employees as unnecessary or unproductive.
The scale of the problem is significant. On average, workers attend five meetings per week, totaling six hours. But it’s worse for some: 16% attend 10 or more meetings weekly, and 19% spend at least 10 hours in meetings each week.
All that adds up. Employees estimate they waste **146 hours annually** in meetings that deliver no real value. According to Software Finder, that translates to roughly **$6,280 in lost productivity per employee each year**. The cost climbs even higher in certain sectors: **$9,825 per worker in tech** and **$8,014 in finance**, where salaries—and thus the opportunity cost of wasted time—are greater. Larger companies and more senior staff also see higher losses.
So, what can employers do?
To reclaim time, boost morale, and protect the bottom line, businesses should rethink how—and when—they meet.
**1. Cut the worst offenders.**
Employees identified specific meeting types as the biggest time-wasters: status updates, all-hands gatherings, brainstorming sessions, project kickoffs, and routine manager check-ins. Replacing some of these with async communication (like shared documents or quick Slack updates) could yield major savings.
**2. Schedule smarter.**
Timing matters. Nearly a third of respondents said **Monday mornings** are the best time for meetings—and 40% rated meetings during that window as the most productive. Conversely, **Friday afternoons** were deemed the most disruptive and least effective.
**3. Favor in-person over virtual when possible.**
Surprisingly, **49% of employees find online meetings more draining** than face-to-face ones. While remote work remains essential for many, reserving video calls for truly necessary collaboration—and opting for in-person huddles when feasible—could reduce fatigue.
**4. Pay attention to engagement—or the lack thereof.**
A striking **85% of employees admit to staying silent in meetings they consider pointless**. Why? They view them as performative, feel their input won’t be valued, or simply multitask on more meaningful work. Leaders should take silence as a red flag—not compliance.
“Meeting fatigue is eating up time, money, and energy,” the report concludes. Poorly planned gatherings don’t just waste hours—they disengage teams and erode trust. But change is possible. By listening to employees and rethinking meeting culture—starting with cutting just one unnecessary session per week—companies can reduce burnout, sharpen focus, and save thousands in hidden costs.
As the data shows, not every conversation needs a calendar invite.