The Effectiveness of Time Blocking and To-Do Lists in Managing Employee Workload at Assessment Center

Abstract

This study was conducted in response to employees' difficulties in managing increasing and dynamic workloads, particularly multiple tasks, overlapping deadlines, meetings, and unexpected work demands. The study aimed to examine the practical usefulness of a handbook integrating time blocking and to-do list techniques in supporting employees' workload management. A one-group pretest–posttest design was employed with four employees of the Assessment Center Unit selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a 15-item workload management scale, supported by observations, semi-structured interviews, and handbook records. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, while qualitative data were analyzed descriptively. The findings showed an increase in mean workload management scores from 54.50 to 57.75, with all participants demonstrating individual improvements; however, the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test indicated that the difference between pretest and posttest scores was not statistically significant (p = .066). Qualitative findings indicated that the handbook helped participants organize tasks, determine priorities, record deadlines, allocate working time, and monitor task completion. The findings also showed that time blocking needed to be applied flexibly due to unexpected tasks and changes in work priorities. Overall, the handbook provides preliminary evidence of practical usefulness as a structured tool for supporting workload organization. However, the small sample size, absence of a control group, and short intervention period limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research should involve larger samples, controlled designs, objective performance indicators, and longer follow-up periods.