Good Systems · public information library

What can I do at work to help someone when they are always losing track of 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

Use shared time cues and realistic transition time as part of normal team coordination.

What this can look like

A calendar full of meetings can leave no realistic time to finish, switch or prepare for the next task.

Why it can happen

Absorption, meetings and interruptions can make time harder to track. Milestones, leave-by reminders and clear handovers help without singling anyone out.

What might help

Build transition and focus time into shared schedules; use explicit leave-by and handover cues.

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, put the next transition in the calendar, not only the final deadline.

More info and original sources

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