Time Management Training and Perceived Control of Time at Work

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of time management training, which was based on psychological theory and research, on perceived control of time, perceived stress, and performance at work. The authors randomly assigned 71 employees to a training group (n = 35) or a waiting-list control group (n = 36). As hypothesized, time management training led to an increase in perceived control of time and a decrease in perceived stress. Time management training had no impact on different performance indicators. In particular, the authors explored the use and the perceived usefulness of the techniques taught. Participants judged the taught techniques as useful, but there were large differences concerning the actual use of the various techniques.

Keywords:

• perceived control of time
• performance
• stress
• time management training

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Würth Industrie Service GmbH & Co. KG for the financial support of their research. The authors also thank Lydia Pinneker, Julia Hartmann, Anne Kaiser, and Sabine Schwäble for their contributions to the preparation of the data collection and the entering of the data.