Many employees know the irritation of a chatty customer or coworker who just won’t let them get on with their work. But new research from Temple University looks more closely at the effects of this common annoyance, finding that time wasted by others at work isn’t just frustrating—it can actually drive employees to act out in unhelpful ways.

The researchers sought to define wasted time more clearly than the usual “time is money” concept, focusing on time-wasting behaviors that keep employees from reaching their goals. Goals, they suggest, might be as basic as finishing a project or as broad as simply having a good day at work. Any distraction that blocks these goals can lead employees to feel that their time is being misused.

Fighting back

After surveying hundreds of employees, the researchers found a clear pattern: when employees felt their time was being wasted by managers, colleagues, or customers, they reported frustration, often directed back at whoever had caused the delay.

This frustration led to actions that disrupted work—whether by subtly resisting a manager’s instructions, ignoring coworkers, or even slowing down service for a customer. Importantly, employees focused their reactions: annoyance with a coworker, for instance, didn’t spill over to customers or others.

The study identified several specific behaviors tied to this frustration. Workers annoyed by a colleague might exclude them from discussions or criticize their ideas, while those frustrated with customers reported speaking bluntly or making gestures of impatience. When employees felt that the organization itself wasted their time, they often responded by taking extra breaks or spending time on unrelated tasks.

Underestimating the problem

These findings suggest that managers may underestimate how much time-wasting impacts employees’ motivation and productivity. Many bosses assume that since employees are paid for their time, they should accept delays as part of the job. But the study points out that employees want their time to be valued, even if they’re being paid.

The researchers offer a few practical recommendations for managers. First, managers should be aware of how much it matters to employees to have their time used well. Beyond simply noticing this, managers should work to reduce busywork and clear away obstacles to employees’ goals. And if there’s a coworker or customer who regularly distracts others, it may help if the boss steps in to keep disruptions to a minimum.

The takeaway: avoiding wasted time may be one of the simplest ways to avoid wasted productivity.