TimeMarbles: A More Holistic Approach to Self-Reflecting on Focus in the Knowledge WorkplaceDigital tools promoting individual focus are increasingly popular in knowledge work. Yet their narrow framing of attention as a binary of focus versus non-focus can be unsustainable and discourage engagement in other vital activities, such as team coordination and collaboration. We introduce TimeMarbles, a web app that encourages more holistic self-reflection by tracking three modes of focus: high-focus, normal-focus, and break, as well as a team vs. individual dimension. In a two-week comparative structured observation in the field with 24 knowledge workers across six countries, we explored how users experience TimeMarbles vs. a more traditional focus-centric web app. Our thematic analysis shows that participants felt more positive about their day when tracking their time in TimeMarbles and that, despite the added logging effort, they preferred the more granular approach because it better represented the range of different attention and activities that characterize their workday. Our work points toward re-imagining digital workplace time-tracking tools to better support worker wellbeing.2026ARAnastasia Ruvimova et al.University of ZurichKnowledge Worker Tools & WorkflowsWorkplace Wellbeing & Work StressBehavior Change & Reflection TechnologyCHI
From Tabs to Structures: Understanding and Supporting Web Page ManagementKnowledge workers spend significant time finding, understanding, and relating information from different web pages. This process often leads to cluttered workspaces requiring active management of web pages, their evolving relevance, and relationships. Existing approaches, such as bookmarking systems, are often too rigid and impose considerable cognitive effort to create and maintain. In this work, we identify key design concepts to capture and retrieve the emerging and dynamic structures of web pages. In a field experiment with 29 knowledge workers (primarily students and IT professionals), we investigated current web management practices over time before we deployed our technology probe (Gstell) to explore initial behavioral adaptation to our design concepts in practice. Our analysis showed that many participants frequently struggle with excessive but inactive browser tabs and that the design concepts can alleviate the overload and improve focus. We discuss design considerations for more sustainable web page management.2026RRRoy Adrian Rutishauser et al.University of ZurichKnowledge Worker Tools & WorkflowsUser Research Methods (Interviews, Surveys, Observation)Prototyping & User TestingCHI
Exploring a Real-time Feedback Display of Non-verbal Cues in Online Work Meetings to Support Self-PresentationExpressing oneself appropriately in online meetings through non-verbal cues can be challenging for knowledge workers. Automatic non-verbal cue detection technologies have the potential to support workers’ self-presentation efforts through real-time feedback, but little is known about workers' reactions to and the implications of doing so. We designed and implemented Novecs as a technology probe of a real-time feedback display that automatically detects and signals users' own non-verbal cues – smiling, nodding, gaze, and posture. Novecs was deployed in an exploratory field study (n=18) to support knowledge workers' self-presentation in their everyday meetings. Post-study interviews reveal how Novecs' real-time feedback helped increase in-the-moment self-awareness, and how neutrally-framed feedback may help navigate tensions between authentic and in-authentic self-presentation. Participants also emphasized the need for natural timing when adjusting non-verbal cues in-meeting. We discuss design opportunities and challenges of real-time, non-verbal cue feedback systems, such as personalizing feedback based on different meeting types.2025KCKevin Chow et al.Making Work Meetings BetterCSCW
Better Balancing Focused Work and Collaboration in Hybrid Teams by Cultivating the Sharing of Work SchedulesIn the context of hybrid knowledge work, striking a balance between individual focused work and team collaboration remains challenging. Existing approaches often fail to provide comprehensive and accurate presence awareness, as the necessary information is scattered across multiple applications and is frequently outdated, inaccurate or unavailable. To address this challenge, we introduce FocusedTeams, a technology probe designed to (a) unify and combine presence information in one place, (b) cultivate the scheduling of workdays around focused work and collaboration, and (c) provide visibility of the information through both physical and digital presence awareness displays. In a field experiment, we deployed FocusedTeams with 48 professionals across 10 hybrid working teams over an average of 6 weeks. The analysis of the collected data shows that the approach increased participants' awareness of their co-workers' availability, work hours and locations, and allowed them to better align their work schedules to their team's, while also structuring their workdays according to individual preferences. Furthermore, the results reveal that FocusedTeams successfully mediated intrusive interruptions, enabling participants to significantly enhance their focus when necessary, while maintaining effective, yet less taxing, teamwork. Our work underscores the potential for supporting hybrid knowledge workers in negotiating a better balance between focused work and teamwork.2025AMAndre N Meyer et al.Hybrid WorkCSCW
Remote Workplace Interactions and Extraversion: A Field Study on Wellbeing and Productivity Among Knowledge WorkersSince the COVID-19 Pandemic, the knowledge workplace has seen a dramatic transition from collocated-first to hybrid or fully-remote arrangements. A significant portion of the knowledge work industry has moved or is moving from office to remote or hybrid work, the implications of which are yet to be fully understood. One of the biggest unknowns is how remote team communication impacts the individual worker, especially in consideration of personality type. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of remote workplace interactions on productivity and wellbeing, and how these effects are moderated by extraversion. The study lasted for 2-3 months and involved 60 knowledge workers. The data was analyzed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. We present novel findings on how remote communication affects individuals differently depending on the type of interaction, agent, and personality of the individual, showing that the impact of communication on workers is far from straightforward. We contextualize these findings with an in-depth analysis of communication patterns and experiences in the remote workplace, adding to existing literature. Finally, we present suggestions for a more individualized communication approach in industry and future research.2025ARAnastasia Ruvimova et al.Distributed & Remote WorkCSCW
'Stick to' Three: Fostering Awareness, Intentions, and Reflections on the Top Daily TasksKnowledge workers face increasing challenges in managing numerous digital tasks, often leading to long task lists that distract from completing the most important ones. We present AIRbar, a task management tool designed to enhance Awareness, Intention, and Retrospection (AIR) in daily task management. AIRbar prompts workers to prioritize a maximum of three daily tasks, displays them in an always-on glanceable widget, and facilitates end-of-day reflection to improve task completion and self-awareness. In a 4-week field study with 35 participants, we found that AIRbar increased task completion rates, improved focus and motivation, and positively influenced perceptions of work processes. These findings suggest that limiting the number of tasks and ensuring continuous visibility of priorities can address key challenges in modern task management, providing actionable insights for designing future task management systems.2025AMAndré N Meyer et al.Knowledge Worker Tools & WorkflowsNotification & Interruption ManagementDIS
Beyond the Watercooler: Designing for Computer-Mediated Self-Disclosure among Work ColleaguesSelf-disclosure, the sharing of personal and professional information about yourself, can help foster and maintain working relationships. But how do computers mediate the way we self-disclose at work? We look "beyond the watercooler" to investigate computer-mediated self-disclosure (CMSD) at work. We conducted two studies: (1) a survey (n=455 knowledge workers) to understand perceptions towards disclosing various information types among colleagues, and (2) an interview study (n=12 knowledge workers) with five speculative design concepts to characterize attitudes and needs around CMSD. Study 1 indicated sharing about well-being was valuable, but that it was less familiar among remote workers compared to those in-person or hybrid. Study 1 informed the design concepts for Study 2, whose findings revealed that CMSD is a key part of workers’ socialization and should evolve alongside relationship stages. We discuss design opportunities for adaptive, intentional, and personal CMSD, along with policy implications for organizations.2025KCKevin Chow et al.University of British Columbia, Computer ScienceRemote Work Tools & ExperienceKnowledge Management & Team AwarenessCHI
Examining the Use of VR as a Study Aid for University Students with ADHDAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by patterns of inattention and impulsivity, which lead to difficulties maintaining concentration and motivation while completing academic tasks. University settings, characterized by a high student-to-staff ratio, make treatments relying on human monitoring challenging. One potential replacement is Virtual Reality (VR) technology, which has shown potential to enhance learning outcomes and promote flow experience. In this study, we investigate the usage of VR with 27 university students with ADHD, in an effort to improve their performance in completing homework, including an exploration of automated feedback via a technology probe. Quantitative results show significant increases in concentration, motivation, and effort levels during these VR sessions and qualitative data offers insight into considerations like comfort and deployment. Together, the results suggest that VR can be a valuable tool in leveling the playing field for university students with ADHD.2024ICIsabelle Cuber et al.University of ZurichVR Medical Training & RehabilitationCognitive Impairment & Neurodiversity (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia)CHI
Cultivating a Team Mindset about Productivity with a Nudge: a Field Study in Hybrid Development TeamsWhile there has been significant study of both individuals and teams of knowledge workers, research has focused largely on one or the other, with less focus on the interaction between the two. In this paper, we explore the tensions between the individual and their team, focusing on the choices an individual makes towards their own productivity versus their team's productivity. We developed a technology probe with a team nudge that fosters recurring reflection and prompts individuals to consider how their team helps them to be productive. We examined its impact through a longitudinal field study with 48 participants. We chose to undertake this study with software development teams as they are examples of knowledge workers who collaborate on a shared set of tasks with specific goals. Our exploration took place with hybrid development teams, which have increasingly become the norm. Our analysis of a total of 8338 hourly self-reports and 1389 daily diary entries found that the team nudge increased participants' productivity ratings and team awareness, led to participants spending more time on their own tasks, reshaped their perceptions of themselves and their team, yet, in general, did not increase team cohesion or affect well-being.2023TFThomas Fritz et al.TeamsCSCW
Supporting Software Developers' Focused Work on Window-Based DesktopsSoftware developers, like other information workers, continuously switch tasks and applications to complete their work on their computer. Given the high fragmentation and complexity of their work, staying focused on the relevant pieces of information can become quite challenging in today's window-based environments, especially with the ever increasing monitor screen-size. To support developers in staying focused, we conducted a formative study with 18 professionals in which we examined their computer based and eye-gaze interaction with the window environment and devised a relevance model of open windows. Based on the results, we developed a prototype to dim irrelevant windows and reduce distractions, and evaluated it in a user study. Our results indicate that our model was able to predict relevant open windows with high accuracy and participants felt that integrating visual prominence into the desktop environment reduces clutter and distraction, which results in reduced window switching and an increase in focus.2020JPJan Pilzer et al.University of British ColumbiaKnowledge Worker Tools & WorkflowsNotification & Interruption ManagementCHI
"Transport Me Away": Fostering Flow in Open Offices through Virtual RealityOpen offices are cost-effective and continue to be popular. However, research shows that these environments, brimming with distractions and sensory overload, frequently hamper productivity. Our research investigates the use of virtual reality (VR) to mitigate distractions in an open office setting and improve one's ability to be in flow. In a lab study, 35 participants performed visual programming tasks in four combinations of physical (open or closed office) and virtual environments (beach or virtual office). While participants both preferred and were in flow more in a closed office without VR, in an open office, the VR environments outperformed the no VR condition in all measures of flow, performance, and preference. Especially considering the recent rapid advancements in VR, our findings illustrate the potential VR has to improve flow and satisfaction in open offices.2020ARAnastasia Ruvimova et al.University of ZürichMixed Reality WorkspacesImmersion & Presence ResearchCHI
Is Your Time Well Spent? Reflecting on Knowledge Work More HolisticallyThe modern workplace is more demanding than ever before. Yet, since the industrial age, productivity measures have predominantly stayed narrowly focused on the output of the work, and not accounted for the big shift in the cognitive demands placed on the workers or the interleaving of work and life that is so common today. We posit that a more holistic conceptualization of Time Well Spent (TWS) at work could mitigate this issue. In our 1-week study, 40 knowledge workers used the experience sampling method (ESM) to rate their TWS and then define TWS at the end of the week. Our work contributes a preliminary characterization of TWS and empirical evidence that this term can capture a more holistic notion of work that also includes the worker's feelings and well-being.2020HGHayley Guillou et al.University of British ColumbiaKnowledge Worker Tools & WorkflowsWorkplace Wellbeing & Work StressCHI
Sensing Interruptibility in the Office: A Field Study on the Use of Biometric and Computer Interaction SensorsKnowledge workers experience many interruptions during their work day. Especially when they happen at inopportune moments, interruptions can incur high costs, cause time loss and frustration. Knowing a person's interruptibility allows optimizing the timing of interruptions and minimize disruption. Recent advances in technology provide the opportunity to collect a wide variety of data on knowledge workers to predict interruptibility. While prior work predominantly examined interruptibility based on a single data type and in short lab studies, we conducted a two-week field study with 13 professional software developers to investigate a variety of computer interaction, heart-, sleep-, and physical activity-related data. Our analysis shows that computer interaction data is more accurate in predicting interruptibility at the computer than biometric data (74.8% vs. 68.3% accuracy), and that combining both yields the best results (75.7% accuracy). We discuss our findings and their practical applicability also in light of collected qualitative data.2018MZManuela Züger et al.University of ZurichNotification & Interruption ManagementCHI