If you shop online while at work, you’re not alone — up to 65% of employees admit to doing the same thing! Another 60% say they visit sports-related websites. Half even reported booking vacations while clocked in at work.
But according to 86% of employees, Facebook is one of the top reasons behind work distraction. It’s almost 10 times as distracting as Instagram.
Clicking on that like button on a post or sharing that cat video may seem harmless. But it’s actually killing your productivity, which can harm your work output.
The good news is, there are many useful apps that can help you counter these distractions at work. Not only can they help you keep track of tasks — they’re also great for staying connected and organized.
Ready to be a more productive employee? Begin by getting these top apps to use at work!
Collaboration and Communication Apps
Slack is the most useful app for collaboration because it’s more than a “messenger”. You can also upload files and documents here, make announcements, and create channels. It even has a search feature so you can type in keywords to find the exact conversation you’re looking for.
Trello is also a good platform for collaboration, although it’s more of a list-making app. It lets you create boards and lists so you can organize your tasks and projects. You can also create schedules and reminders so you don’t miss deadlines.
Time Trackers
Time trackers do exactly that – they track the user’s time from the moment they log in to when they log out. But they also track where exactly this time goes – such as which exact project or task. That’s why many of the 53 million freelancers in the U.S. rely on these apps.
Some of the most useful apps in this category include Time Doctor and WorkSnaps. Aside from time tracking, they also come with accounting and screen capture features. These ensure everyone is being productive and not watching a lot of cat and dog videos.
Employee Engagement Monitors
Over two-thirds of employees in the U.S. are “actively disengaged.” These actively disengaged workers are miserable at work and are the most likely to quit. They may be doing their jobs, but they’re not passionate about what they do.
If you’re feeling disengaged at work, talk to your bosses about using an employee engagement app. These programs monitor employee experiences through various methods like surveys and polls.
The best and most helpful apps in this category also come with a “feed” feature. This is a place where everyone can interact with each other and share insights or opinions.
The best employee engagement apps also track productivity and performance. Managers can then use the measured results to determine “employees of the day”. From there, they can reward the most productive employees for their achievements.
Music Apps
During your break, you may want to set aside time to listen to some music to reduce stress. According to science, music has positive effects on our body’s stress system. It can help lower stress from work, which can then improve your focus and productivity.
For that, you need the best music apps, including Spotify, Apple Music, or Pandora Music. With any of this on your computer or phone, your boss is sure to love you more for your improved productivity!
Take Advantage of these Useful Apps at Work Now
Being productive and happy (or at least, less stressed) at work is doable if you have the right tools. With the useful apps we mentioned above, you can stay on top of your projects and make the most out of your breaks.
Thinking of going freelance or at least doing some work at home for a few days a week? Then our ultimate guide on home office essentials is a must-read for you!