Agent Occupancy

Agent occupancy is a critical metric in managing contact center efficiency, measuring the percentage of an agent’s working time spent actively handling calls or other tasks versus idle time.

Agent Occupancy

What is Occupancy in a Call Center?

Occupancy in a call center refers to how effectively agents are utilized during their shifts. It indicates the proportion of time agents spend on productive tasks, such as handling calls or completing after-call work. This is an essential metric for workforce optimization in any contact center environment.

How to Calculate Agent Occupancy?

The call center occupancy formula is:


Agent Occupancy (%) = (Total Call Handling Time + After-Call Work Time) ÷ Total Logged-In Time × 100


This formula helps contact centers monitor the occupancy rate in call centers, ensuring a balance between agent workload and downtime

The Role of Occupancy in BPO Operations

  • High occupancy rates may indicate agent overwork, leading to burnout and reduced performance.
  • Low occupancy suggests underutilization, increasing operational costs. By applying the occupancy formula in BPO, businesses can optimize resource allocation and maintain operational efficiency.

Optimizing Agent Occupancy

  1. Monitor Occupancy Contact Center Metrics: Use advanced tools to track real-time agent activity.
  2. Balance Workloads: Assign tasks evenly to avoid overloading agents.
  3. Leverage Automation: Automate repetitive tasks to improve efficiency without overburdening agents.
  4. Provide Breaks: Schedule regular breaks to maintain productivity and morale.

Explore our glossary to dive deeper into more essential call center terminologies!

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