UK workers spend more time on admin than anywhere else in Europe, new Ricoh research reveals

• UK workers spend 31% of their time on non-core admin – the highest across Europe*
• Italy records the lowest at 21%, with all other markets trailing the UK
• Admin pressure emerging as a driver of attrition across UK workplaces
• 15% of workers surveyed have considered quitting due to admin burdens alone 

London, 16 April 2026 – UK workers spend more time on administrative tasks than their European counterparts, with nearly a third of their working week (31%) taken up by non-core activities, according to new research from Ricoh.

The UK sits at the top of the table for admin burden, ahead of Spain (29%), Germany (27%), France (26%) and the Netherlands (23%), while Italy reports the lowest levels at just 21%.

This gap highlights how administrative overload is weighing more heavily on UK employees than elsewhere in Europe, limiting the time available for work that directly contributes to business outcomes. It presents a concern, as administrative overload is becoming a significant contributor to employee dissatisfaction and attrition.

With only half (51%) of UK office workers surveyed stating they spend most of their working day on tasks that deliver direct value, employees report losing 15 hours a week to admin tasks – almost two working days.

Relationships under strain

As almost half of European employees (48%) are already considering a new role within the next 12 months, the findings show that excessive admin is affecting how people experience work and how long they choose to stay with an employer.

Nearly one in five (19%) UK workers admit admin now creates conflict or tension within their team, while 16% feel resentful towards colleagues who carry lighter admin loads. Only one in five (21%) believe admin loads are distributed equally, and 16% report generational tension, with younger colleagues perceived as resisting such tasks.

This is leading to demotivation in workplaces across Britain, with almost a quarter of workers surveyed (24%) stating admin limits their productivity and 21% saying they feel less motivated or disengaged with work. Meanwhile, 19% believe it stifles their creativity.  

For some, the pressure is enough to consider an exit altogether, with 15% admitting to considering leaving their organisation due to admin burden alone.

Ed MacArthur, Practice Lead – Process Automation at Ricoh UK, said: “UK organisations have pushed hard on digital transformation over the past decade, but that investment hasn’t always translated into simpler workflows for employees. Instead, many are dealing with layers of systems, reporting requirements and compliance processes that sit alongside their core role. That creates duplication, manual workarounds and a heavier administrative load than in markets where processes are either more standardised or less fragmented.”

“There is also a clear expectation gap. UK employees are used to consumer-grade technology in their personal lives and expect the same level of ease and integration at work. When workplace tools fall short or when automation is introduced without being properly embedded into day-to-day workflows, it adds friction. The result is a disconnect between the technology organisations believe they’ve invested in and the reality employees experience.”’

Disconnects between employers and employees

Many UK workers believe their employers are disconnected from the day-to-day realities of their admin responsibilities. Only one in five (20%) feel their employer cares about admin overload, while 27% state managers underestimate the time it consumes. 

With AI and automation increasingly commonplace, 34% of those surveyed admitted anxiety around the prospect of replacement. Without clear communication about how technology is set to be deployed, frustration and disengagement can intensify, potentially amplifying attrition further.

“When a large share of the week is taken up by repetitive admin, it quickly drains motivation and limits the time people can spend on meaningful work. As the pressure builds, for some, it becomes a reason to look elsewhere. At the same time, uncertainty around AI is adding to the strain. Without clear communication and investment in skills, technology risks creating anxiety rather than confidence, especially as organisations add on too many tools. Retention comes down to whether people feel supported and see a future for themselves in the company,” concluded MacArthur.

UK employees in the research are clear about what lighter admin demands would mean for their day-to-day experience at work. Nearly a third (31%) say they would enjoy their job more if they had greater freedom to focus on creative tasks, 30% would use the time to properly recharge, and 28% would invest it in learning new skills.

Methodology 

Surveying 1,800 employees (aged 23+) who are purchasing decision makers, working in; HR, Finance or Facilities (equal split between those 3 departments; natural fallout company size & sector) across the UK, France, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany. (300 respondents respectively) in field 10.11.2025 - 17.11.2025. In addition, 6000 Office workers across the UK, Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, 11.11.2025 - 17.11.2025. The research was conducted by Opinion Matters. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Opinion Matters is also a member of the British Polling Council.