28/10/2010
The average British office worker spends 37 working days a year performing basic administrative tasks, according to new research.
Cloud computing specialists Keboko found that employees spend the equivalent of seven working weeks a year carrying out everyday admin procedures such as filing, inputting data and updating reports.
The Keboko survey, which gathered data from 1,117 people, suggests that time-consuming admin work and red tape is costing UK firms more than 104 billion a year.
Data entry was found to be the most time-consuming task; 18% of the workers questioned in the survey admitted to spending up to six hours every week on this administrative duty.
In addition, the survey found that UK officer workers spend the equivalent of two weeks every year on financial tasks, such as invoicing, processing expenses and accounting.
Charlie Cowan, Keboko's CEO, says that 'non-core' administrative tasks are taking up time that could be spent in more important areas, such as creating new business leads.
"With Britain starting to emerge from the global recession, you'd expect most companies to be hard at work trying to generate new business," Growing Business quoted Cowan as saying.
"However, many workers struggle to find the time to do this, as non-core tasks such as inputting data and updating reports still take up too much time."
Cowan suggests that businesses can improve their efficiency and save money by upgrading their admin tools. Small firms in particular could benefit, with services such as invoice finance allowing them to free up funds, invest in improving admin procedures and focus on creating new business.
"A lot of the time workers are being held back by a lack of tools to help them get admin tasks done quickly and efficiently," Cowan explained.
"It's clear to see that a new generation of tailored and more flexible business applications is desperately needed by Britain's businesses," he added.
Joseph Jeffries