Businesses may realize far more negative consequences from bored employees than from those who report having “too much work,” according to research by Sirota Survey Intelligence, specialists in attitude research.

Employees who are bored (reporting “too little work”) are often doing work for which they are ill-suited, or have jobs that are poorly designed. As a result, they have by far lower job satisfaction, sense of accomplishment, and pride in their employers compared to all other workers, according to the Sirota survey of over 1 million employees.

“While overwork raises significant issues for employees and employers, the attitudes of bored employees pose even greater challenges. Bored employees are less satisfied with their jobs, finding them less challenging and poorer matches to suit their skills,” said Klein. “Bored employees are also less proud of their employers, less innovative, and feel less valued compared to all other workers.”

When asked about:

• Job satisfaction: 81% of employees with “about the right amount of work” are satisfied with their jobs, compared to just 50% of those with “too little work”
• Find job challenging: 71% of employees with “about the right amount of work” feel that their jobs are challenging, compared to just 22% of those with “too little work”
• Good use of their skills and abilities: 74% of workers with “about the right amount of work” feel their jobs make good use of their skills and abilities, compared to just 36% of those with “too little work”
• Pride in their employers: 76% of workers with “about the right amount of work” are proud of where they work, compared to just 51% of those with “too little work”
• Feeling of personal accomplishment: 73% of workers with “about the right amount of work” get a feeling of accomplishment from their jobs, compared to just 38% of those with “too little work”
• Encouraged to be innovative: 65% of workers with “about the right amount of work” feel they are encouraged to be innovative, compared to just 43% of those with “too little work”
• Feel important to the company: 61% of workers with “about the right amount of work” feel they are an important part of their companies, compared to just 34% of those with “too little work” (Note: Those reporting “too much” work are almost as favorable as those who report “about the right amount” on the above dimensions.)

“The complaints of both overworked and bored employees should be taken seriously,” Klein cautioned. “Complaints about being overworked can be an indication of poor quality or work processes, and it can be difficult in certain circumstances to retain employees who feel they are overworked and out of balance with their work life. But bored employees have an even greater negative impact on an organization, lowering morale and productivity, and draining resources.”