74% of Workers Now Labor on Sundays, Report Finds

Nearly three-quarters of workers, specifically 74%, are now working on Sundays, with 21% dedicating a full or near-full day to work, according to Owl Labs’ tenth annual State of Hybrid Work report. This trend is notably more prevalent among younger demographics, with 76% of Gen Z workers and 62% of millennials reporting frequent Sunday work, contrasting with 34% of baby boomers and 42% of Gen Xers. The report suggests that the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence may be a contributing factor to this widespread Sunday labor. Specifically, 62% of respondents indicated that AI has amplified their daily expected accomplishments, while 46% stated that AI sometimes impedes their productivity. Another significant contributor identified is meeting fatigue, with 38% of workers experiencing overburden due to meetings during the week. The primary reasons cited for this fatigue include overly long meetings (45%), an excessive number of meetings overall (41%), and meetings occurring too frequently back-to-back (34%). Workers are also embracing a more adaptable approach to scheduling, with 61% expressing interest in "microshifting." This concept involves working in "short, non-linear blocks to manage [their] workday around parenting, health, energy levels, or [their] personal productivity." Owl Labs, a Boston-based provider of videoconferencing solutions, conducted a survey of 2,000 full-time knowledge workers across the U.S. to gather insights on remote, hybrid, and in-office work dynamics. The report also noted a slight increase in full-time office presence, rising from 63% to 65% in 2025, alongside a decrease in hybrid schedules from 28% to 25%. Despite these shifts, flexible work arrangements continue to be highly valued, with 46% of respondents indicating a preference for a hybrid schedule if given the option. The pervasive influence of AI is further underscored by the report, with 82% of employees utilizing AI tools, a figure that reaches 90% among Gen Z workers. The proportion of employees using AI daily has seen a year-over-year increase, climbing from 27% to 32%. The integration of AI has yielded both positive and negative outcomes for workers. On the beneficial side, 69% of workers reported that AI has enhanced their productivity, and 66% felt it has boosted their confidence. However, a substantial 46% of employees find that AI sometimes hinders their productivity, with another 46% experiencing this issue.