Despite the rise of instant messaging at work, email remains the communication tool of choice. But are we overusing it? According to ZeroBounce’s new 2025 Email Statistics Report, 35% of employees say they spend up to five hours a day managing their inboxes.
That much screen time – often fragmented across dozens of threads and notifications – can lead to burnout, anxiety, and serious focus fatigue. And yet, 60% of respondents still prefer email over Slack, Teams, or other messaging platforms.
For many, the inbox has become a to-do list filled with pings that interrupt deep work and drain mental energy.
“People are glued to their inboxes for hours each day.”
“Email is a great communication tool, but it can become a silent source of stress,” says Liviu Tanase, founder and CEO of ZeroBounce. “Our research shows that people are glued to their inboxes for hours each day, often without realizing the toll it takes. Companies need to rethink their communication culture and give employees space to unplug from email.”
The survey also found that:
- 93% of people check email at least once a day
- Only 6% of respondents said they won’t check email if they’re on vacation
- 41% use email to keep in touch with friends and family outside of work
These habits blur boundaries and make true rest difficult.
What companies can do to reduce email overwhelm
Workplace wellness programs often focus on stress reduction, but email overload is rarely part of the conversation. To help reduce cognitive overload and restore focus, business leaders could:
- Agreed upon email-free hours. This can give employees space to recharge and focus without interruptions. These boundaries support healthier work-life balance and reduce after-hours anxiety.
- Setting expectations for response times. This can reduce pressure, empower people to prioritize deep work, and eliminate the guilt associated with slower responses.
- Encouraging more thoughtful communication. Fewer emails mean fewer distractions and a more focused, productive workday.
“Email has been around for more than 50 years, and we can’t imagine our world without it,” ZeroBounce founder and CEO Liviu Tanase concluded. “But like any tool, we need to stay in control – otherwise, it can dominate our workday and affect our productivity. Every company can take small steps to improve email culture and help employees be happier and more focused.”