Proactivity Lab

Do You Procrastinate at Work? Take This Science-based Quiz

employees procrastinating and taking the workplace Procrastination quiz

Ever wondered if you’re a master of delay in your professional life? Curious about the extent and areas of your workplace procrastination? Take our free test: “The Procrastination At Work Scale (PAWS)” to discover just that.

Recognized as the leading and most scientifically reliable workplace procrastination test, PAWS test offers you an insightful journey into your procrastination habits.

Don’t miss this opportunity to take the quiz and understand the nuances of your work habits.

Table of Contents

What Is Procrastination at Work ?

Procrastination at work or workplace procrastination refers to the act of delaying or avoiding work-related tasks within a professional environment. Though most research has focused on academic procrastination, it’s evident that employees, much like students, struggle with this habit in the workplace.

Various factors contribute to workplace procrastination.

Personal factors might stem from individual personality traits, such as high neuroticism and low conscientiousness, or from a fear of failure.

Situational factors, including the work environment, interpersonal relationships and leadership style.

Task-related factors such as the lack of role clarity or task difficulty, which can also induce procrastination.

The consequences of procrastination at work are multi-layered, affecting both the employee and the organization. For the employee, procrastination can lead to psychological distress, financial setbacks, and professional stagnation. For the company, the consequences range from diminished productivity to an eroded workplace culture.

Assessing workplace procrastination is vital for research purposes, to quantify the extent of this phenomenon, and to identify strategies that boost productivity and well-being in the professional realm.

One of the most scientifically validated and commonly utilized tools for measuring workplace procrastination is the “Procrastination at Work Scale (PAWS)”

Read the most comprehensive guide on Workplace Procrastination.

About the Quiz: What Is The Procrastination At Work Scale (PAWS) ?

The Procrastination at Work Scale (PAWS) is a questionnaire that was developed by researchers Metin, Taris & Peeters in 2016, and serves as a key tool to measure modern workplace procrastination behaviors.

procrastination quiz

This 12-item questionnaire asks you to evaluate your procrastination tendencies on a scale from 0 (never) to 6 (always). The test focuses on two main behaviors: soldiering and cyberslacking, with total scores ranging between 0 and 72.

  1. Soldiering : involves delaying work tasks by performing other unrelated activities, like taking elongated coffee breaks or getting lost in daydreams.

  2. Cyberslacking: refers to the use of the Internet or mobile devices for non-work-related activities during work hours.

The main difference between the two types of workplace procrastination that while soldiering involves delaying tasks without the use of technology, cyberslacking capitalizes on digital devices for personal distractions during work hours.

Another distinction lies in their visibility: while soldiering is obvious and easily noticeable, cyberslacking is more discreet, concealed behind screens, posing a challenge for managers to discern and address.

In this regard, PAWS Questionnaire stands out in its precise assessment of these behaviors, ensuring that its focus remains on workplace-specific procrastination tendencies.

The Scientific Validity of This Test

research on procrastination

A 2019 study examined the reliability and validity of the Procrastination at Work Scale (PAWS), using data from over 1,000 office employees across seven countries, and confirmed that PAWS consistently measured workplace procrastination, regardless of the country or language, solidifying its reputation as a reliable instrument.

Furthermore, this assessment tool has been employed in numerous research studies investigating workplace procrastination and has consistently proven its reliability.

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Sam David founder of Proactivity Lab
About the author

My name is Sam David. I am the founder of "Proactivity Lab," a website that provides comprehensive strategies and resources for understanding and overcoming procrastination.

The website's resources are the culmination of more than 20 years of research and experience, during which I embarked on a long and gruelling journey of study and self-discovery.

Being a former procrastinator myself, it took me years of investigation and numerous trials and errors to gain a clear understanding of the underlying causes of procrastination and the most effective and scientifically supported strategies to permanently conquer the vicious cycle of procrastination. 

I would like to share my knowledge with you, for free.

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