---
title: "Knowledge workers' most dreaded tasks"
description: "The most dreaded task in every state has one thing in common: it's something humans shouldn't have to do anymore because computers can do it instead. "
image: "https://images.ctfassets.net/lzny33ho1g45/3TlHNM9IOqFO1EefdnAFyA/dc686999e9f3b37063ae88dd1877f210/data_reports.jpg"
---

# Knowledge workers' most dreaded tasks

The most dreaded task in every state has one thing in common: it's something humans shouldn't have to do anymore because computers can do it instead. 

The most dreaded task in every state has one thing in common: it's something humans shouldn't have to do anymore because computers can do it instead. 

A Zapier survey of marketers, operations managers, IT professionals, and other roles in businesses with up to 250 people shows that **the most dreaded task for knowledge workers is data entry**: simply moving information from one piece of software to another. 

This and other mindless tasks, which are easily automated, take up an average of 17.3 hours a week—almost half the work week. This means businesses have a unique opportunity: to reduce employee burnout while simultaneously increasing productivity. 

## Workers' most dreaded tasks by state

Coast to coast, knowledge workers share a dislike of repetitive work—sometimes spending upwards of 20 hours each week on it. 49 percent of workers say these dreaded tasks **take away from time spent on strategic work**, and 39 percent say they feel like a **waste of time**.

## Automating mundane tasks makes workers happier

Among companies that implemented automation software:

- 46 percent say they're better able to focus on **growing their career**
- 60 percent say they're **more valued for their skills**

59 percent of employees at companies that don't use automation software said they'd be **happier with automation**, and 48 percent said they'd have **more time to spend on strategic or creative work**. 

This means automation software is a rare opportunity for a win-win: companies could be more productive and employees could be more satisfied with their jobs.

If you're[ constantly copying and pasting between apps](https://zapier.com/blog/stop-copy-paste-with-automation/), or spend lots of time on [data entry](https://zapier.com/blog/automate-data-collection/), you can set up an automation that does the job for you. Automation has all of the most dreaded tasks covered, from [scheduling meetings](https://zapier.com/blog/meeting-management/) to[ tracking your time](https://zapier.com/blog/automation-for-time-tracking/), and even [automating your project management](https://zapier.com/blog/project-management-automation/).