Routine office technology problems are quietly eating into productivity, according to new research from Standley Systems, a leading provider of managed print services, managed IT services, and business technology solutions in Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma. The survey found most desk workers run into daily slowdowns tied to computers, networks, software and print devices.
For the 2026 Office Technology Report: How Workplace Slowdowns Affect Productivity, Standley Systems partnered with Pollfish to survey 500 desk-based workers in February 2026. The report looks at how often employees face tech-related interruptions, which issues take the most time, and how long it can take to get fully back on track.
The findings suggest these problems aren’t occasional annoyances. They show up often enough to break concentration and stretch tasks across the day. The results also point to a common pattern: when getting help feels like a hassle, employees try to fix issues themselves or work around them instead of seeking a fast resolution.
Key findings include:
- 85% of desk workers say they run into a tech-related slowdown at least once per workday, including 29% who face them three or more times a day.
- Nearly half of desk workers lose more than half an hour to everyday tech issues each week, and nearly 30% lose an hour or more.
- Only 30% say they regain focus immediately after a tech interruption, while another 30% say it takes at least six minutes to fully get back on track.
- 58% say their first response to a tech issue is to try fixing it themselves, and 76% say they avoid contacting IT at least sometimes because it feels like more effort than it is worth.
- Only 18% say printing, copying, or scanning always works correctly on the first try.
- 69% say they would rather their workplace invest in preventing tech issues than expect employees to work around them.
“Employees should not have to build their workday around unreliable technology,” said Greg Elliott, CEO, Standley Systems. “This survey suggests many have simply learned to absorb those interruptions as part of the job, even when they are clearly costing time and focus. That should prompt organizations to look more closely at whether the tools people rely on every day are truly supporting productive work.”
Visit the full 2026 Office Technology Report: How Workplace Slowdowns Affect Productivity on the Standley Systems website for the complete survey results and additional insights.
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