SHRM Survey Finds Workers Split on TikTok Ban

TikTok can keep on ticking — at least until June 19 — after President Donald Trump extended the deadline for the federal government to ban the popular social media app. 

Trump announced he would delay the ban hours before it was to take effect April 5, saying a potential deal to avert a ban requires more work. TikTok’s owner, China-based ByteDance, is being required to sell its U.S. business, after then-President Joe Biden signed a law in 2024 that would ban the app in the U.S. unless it is sold. 

SHRM conducted a survey that sheds light on how U.S. workers view the potential ban, how they use TikTok, and what this all might mean for the workplace. 

SHRM surveyed over 1,500 U.S.-based workers in late January — days after Trump issued an executive order pausing the ban the first time — and found that workers are divided about banning the app, known for its short-form video content. 

The survey reveals that 57% of workers oppose the ban, with 22% strongly opposed. Meanwhile, 44% support the ban, including 13% who are strongly in favor. 

“More U.S. workers oppose a TikTok ban than support it, but a ban wouldn’t mark the end of social media use,” said Ragan Decker, manager of Executive Network and Enterprise research at SHRM. “Seven in ten active users say they’d simply switch to another platform,” she said. “Many say a ban wouldn’t affect their productivity, perhaps because they would just turn to other platforms to fill that same role.”

TikTok use is split among U.S. workers. According to the study, 42% of U.S. workers identify as active TikTok users, and among those, a substantial 61% say they use the app at work. On average, these workers spend approximately 2.8 hours per week on TikTok while at work, with many using it to take mental breaks or manage stress. 

SHRM Toolkit: Managing and Leveraging Workplace Use of Social Media

Of those who use TikTok at work, 65% do so to take a mental break or relax, 56% use it out of boredom, and 53% rely on it to improve their mood or manage stress. Employees also use TikTok to find inspiration or creative ideas (32%), learn a new skill (21%), or because of job requirements (8%).  

Some employers wonder whether banning TikTok would improve productivity. About 65% of active users believe that a ban would not affect their productivity at work, while 19% believe they would be more productive. On the other hand, 16% feel they would become less productive without access to the platform. The data suggests that for many, the app functions as a quick break tool rather than a sustained distraction. 

SHRM Webinar: Boosting Productivity, Retention and Engagement

The debate around TikTok is multifaceted, with proponents of the ban citing national security and data privacy concerns while opponents highlight the app’s substantial role in the creator economy, providing income opportunities for influencers, marketers, and businesses.  

From a workplace perspective, employers might hope that a ban reduces distractions. However, evidence from the SHRM survey suggests it might not lead to dramatic changes in productivity or employee behavior.