The global pandemic led to many changes in the way people work today. Employees expect more from their companies. If they fail to see desired changes, they often become less productive.
How can a company boost employee productivity, especially in those individuals who have been working from home and would prefer to continue doing so? The following tips may be of help in increasing employee efficiency while improving worker satisfaction.
Set up a Break Room
Many companies avoid setting up a break room because they worry employees will spend more time socializing and less time working. Doing so actually has the opposite effect. When a person has friends at work, they are more engaged. This leads to a rise in productivity.
Make this room comfortable for all who use it. Have snacks and drinks available at all times. In addition, consider a chair massage for your employees, so they can let go of any work-related stress, which also increases productivity.
Delegate Tasks
Business owners often have a hard time letting go of tasks. They worry that the work won’t be done properly. However, failing to delegate tasks has a negative effect on employee productivity.
Don’t micro-manage employees. Trust that they have been well trained and will do a good job. Employees appreciate knowing they are trusted.
In addition, delegating tasks allows them to develop new skills and gain leadership experience. This benefits the business in the long run.
Take the time to match these tasks to a person’s skill level. No employee wants to be given a task they could do in their sleep. They also don’t want a task that is so far above their skill level they need to be walked through the task step by step.
Employee Onboarding
When a new employee joins the organization, make them feel welcome. This introduction plays a large role in how the employee adjusts to the new working environment. Effective onboarding leads to increased productivity.
Don’t overwhelm the employee on the first day. Break the onboarding process down into several steps. This will allow them to ease into their new duties and feel more comfortable with their fellow workers.
Share information via email, so they have something to refer back to. In addition, ensure they have the tools they need from day one. They can begin settling in and learning the new setup in between taking care of other onboarding tasks.
Minimize Distractions
Distractions minimize productivity. Find ways to eliminate these distractions, so workers can focus on their tasks. At one time, phone calls and people stopping in the office were the major impediments to getting a job done, but technology has changed the distractions people face in the workplace today.
Have employees turn off notifications on the computer and put mobile devices away. If working from home, a person needs to turn off the TV and find an area separate from other family members where they can get their tasks done. Ensure employees understand this when they wish to work from home.
Flexibility and Time Off
More employees want flexibility in their schedules today. They like agile working, as it allows them to achieve a better balance between their work and home lives. Companies that allow agile working see many benefits.
When an employee takes advantage of this opportunity, they take ownership of their projects. They manage their time better and handle work according to their strengths. Researchers at Cardiff and Southampton Universities found that people who work from home are more productive than their counterparts who remain in the office.
Improving employee productivity in the workplace isn’t as challenging as many business owners imagine. Implement these tips to see changes in little time. In addition, look for other ways to boost productivity, as doing so benefits the organization at every level.
