Good Systems · public information library

What can I do at work to help someone when interruptions knock them off track for a long time?

People come here to understand why something in everyday life feels harder, different or more costly than it should — and what might make it work better.

Short answer

Reduce unnecessary interruptions and make resumption part of the workflow.

What this can look like

“Quick” interruptions can fragment a day until no work has a clean return path.

Why it can happen

Interruptions can remove the details needed to restart a task. Focus blocks, status cues and captured questions make work more reliable for the whole team.

What might help

Batch non-urgent requests and make a return note part of the interruption process.

What the research helps explain

Australian ADHD guidance and international consensus evidence describe ADHD as affecting everyday functioning for some people, including attention, planning, memory, time and follow-through. At work, practical supports and fair design can be useful without identifying anyone as having ADHD.

What can vary

Stress, sleep, health, task design, role clarity and preference can create similar work patterns. Do not diagnose employees, seek private medical information or make support conditional on disclosure.

For this situation

For you, challenge the assumption that immediate access to everyone is always productive.

More info and original sources

Poko summarises the relevance of public original sources and links out for anyone who wants to read more.