• In comparison to sequential execution, multitasking significantly lowers performance. As a result, switching with its associated costs, including recalling the actions, rules and details performed so far, outweighs the benefits of receiving a fresh perspective.

• There was only a marginal improvement in performance for subjects who were free to choose when and how to switch, and they performed significantly worse than those who were forced to change at unpredictable points in time. This study adds a new dimension to the debate over centralizing decision-making by showing subjects perform worse under self-selected work schedules.

• There is no gender difference in productivity when multitasking.