Workplace challenges: Toxic multitasking and rust out

Modern work environments are facing two distinct psychological challenges: toxic multitasking and ‘rust out’.

Toxic multitasking refers to a pattern where constant task-switching is mistaken for efficiency. Research on task-switching indicates a ‘switching cost’—the mental effort and time required to regain context when moving between complex tasks. This often results in employees feeling busy all day without completing high-priority, concentration-heavy work.

In contrast, ‘rust out’ is characterized by a loss of interest and motivation due to a lack of professional challenge. While burnout is caused by excessive stress and workload, rust out occurs when employees feel their skills are underutilized or their work lacks meaning. According to 2025 Gallup research, only 31 percent of employees in the US were actively engaged at work. Experts suggest that repetitive tasks and a lack of autonomy can lead to decreased self-confidence and a sense of stagnation.