How to manage boredom at work

Have you ever felt bored at work? If so, you’re not alone. According to an international study, nearly half of workers are bored at least three days a week.

Boredom is defined as an emotional state characterized by feeling unstimulated, unfocused and restless yet lacking the desire to engage.

Everyone will get bored at some stage of their career, but if you are bored all the time, this will negatively impact productivity and wellbeing.

So why do people get bored at work, and what can you do about it?

Why do people get bored at work?

People commonly experience boredom at work if they:
• Are performing tedious or repetitive work: When you are performing tedious or repetitive work, you may feel like you are not being stimulated or learning anything new.
• Are in a role that is a mismatch to their skills: If your skills don’t align with what’s required for your job, you may not find your work engaging.
• Do not have enough work to do: If you don’t have enough work to do during the day, this can leave you feeling unproductive. This could occur because your workload has slowed down, or because you are able to complete assigned tasks quickly.
• Are ready to progress in their career: If you have mastered all aspects of your current role, you may feel like you are not learning anything or developing your skills. This could be a sign it’s time to look for a new career.
• Can’t see the value of their work: If you feel like your work isn’t adding value or making a positive difference, this can reduce your job satisfaction.

How to address boredom at work

If you are feeling bored at work, it can be tempting to simply ignore the problem. However, experts say this simply exacerbates the problem. Instead, you should consider why you are bored at work and look for ways to address the problem.

You may not be able to leave your job right now, but there are still things you can do to reduce boredom at work and prepare yourself for opportunities at work. These include:

• Exploring your options: It might not be possible right now, but you can still start preparing for a career change when the time is right. Consider exploring potential new career options by volunteering in areas of interest. If you are unsure where your career is heading, expert career coaching can help you determine this.
• Keep your resume updated: If a good opportunity arises, it is important your resume is up to date. Make sure you have listed all of your key achievements in your current role. If you don’t know where to start, consider engaging a professional resume writing service.
• Job crafting: Job crafting occurs when someone proactively redesigns their job to better align with their interests, while still ensuring the fundamental requirements of the role are still performed. No matter your job, everyone will have some tasks that they find more interesting than others. Try to break up your day by performing stimulating work tasks in between boring ones.
• Do more of what you enjoy: If there are parts of your role you enjoy, consider finding ways to do more of them. For example, if you enjoy interacting with others, consider offering to mentor or train colleagues.
• Get ahead: If you experience quiet periods at work, consider starting tasks you may be required to work on later on. This can help you show proactivity and initiative to your employer.

Not sure where your career is heading next? Public Service Resumes can help. We are pleased to offer various services, including career development coaching.

Article References

Indeed (3 August 2025) ‘What To Do When You’re Bored with Work’, Indeed, 16 January 2025.

Kohler, L (26 July 2022) ‘Why Boredom At Work Is More Dangerous Than Burnout‘, Forbes, Accessed 16 January 2025.

Wright, P (7 January 2025) ‘Why we get bored at work — and what you can do about it’, ABC News, 16 January 2025.