For many U.S. employees, the appearance of effort and productivity is the new, ultimate job requirement. According to the Connext Global 2025 KPI Confidence Gap Survey Report, two-thirds (66%) admit to “productivity theater”—the optics of work, rather than work itself—while fewer than one in four (23%) say their contributions are measured by clear, outcome-based metrics. With the current surge of return-to-office (RTO) mandates, the trend of visibility over value is only deepening in the workforce.
The survey of 1,000 full-time U.S. employees, conducted in August 2025 via the third-party platform Pollfish, found that workers believe speed and presence often outweigh business impact. The findings reflect a growing misalignment between how employees create significance and how companies choose to measure it.
Key findings from the report include:
- Two-thirds of employees (66%) admit to engaging in productivity theater, such as staying late (33%) or taking on extra tasks (34%) mainly to be noticed.
- 64% say visibility is rewarded at least sometimes instead of actual results, proving that appearances frequently outweigh impact.
- Only 27% of workers feel they are most productive in the office, yet 37% believe their manager assumes that’s where they do their best work.
- Most employees (69%) view RTO mandates as visibility-driven, with morale expected to drop by a net 22 points under these policies.
- More than half (55%) say their performance goals change at least occasionally, and 42% report that unclear or shifting targets drain motivation.
- Just 23% of workers say their performance is measured against clear, outcome-based metrics, and only 22% believe KPIs fully capture what good work looks like.
- Employees believe managers tend to recognize speed and responsiveness (45%) more than tangible results (40%) or innovative ideas (30%).
- A strong majority (77%) want better performance systems, favoring real-time feedback and organized contribution goals (59%) above other reforms.
The growing gap between how employees add benefits and how they’re measured creates opportunities for organizations like Connext Global to reset the standard. By focusing on end goals, greater clarity and stronger trust between employers and their teams, companies can move beyond productivity theater toward systems that truly reward impact.
“Outdated benchmarks are stifling achievements in today’s workplace,” said Tim Mobley, President of Connext Global. “Employees are frustrated with being judged on rituals and want recognition for the impact they create. Companies that shift their focus to outcomes will not only restore confidence but also unlock stronger, more sustainable performance.”
The findings of the 2025 Connext Global KPI Confidence Gap Survey Report highlights an urgent need for organizations to rethink and modernize how success is measured. As employees call for milestone-based metrics, real-time feedback and transparent promotion systems, companies that answer this demand will build workplaces where reliability and results go hand in hand.
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