Time management training and perceived control of time at work

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Organizational Behavior
• Workplace Productivity

Background:

• Effective time management is crucial for employee well-being and productivity.
• High perceived stress and low perceived control over time can negatively impact job performance.
• Psychological theories offer frameworks for developing effective time management interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of time management training on perceived control of time, perceived stress, and work performance.
• To assess the perceived usefulness and actual utilization of taught time management techniques.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial with 71 employees assigned to a training group (n=35) or a waiting-list control group (n=36).
• Intervention involved time management training grounded in psychological theory and research.
• Data collected on perceived control of time, perceived stress, and work performance indicators.

Main Results:

• Time management training significantly increased perceived control of time.
• Participants in the training group reported a significant decrease in perceived stress.
• No significant impact of time management training was observed on work performance indicators.
• While participants found the techniques useful, there was considerable variability in their actual application.

Conclusions:

• Time management training is effective in enhancing employees' sense of control over their time and reducing stress levels.
• The effectiveness of time management techniques in improving actual work performance requires further investigation, possibly due to issues with technique utilization.
• Future interventions should consider strategies to promote consistent application of learned time management skills.