Think you’re getting the most out of your workforce? Think again!
Research shows that 89% of employees waste time at work. Each employee wastes 130 work hours a year or 16.25 days on average. And this is the minimum amount of time employees spend doing non-work-related stuff. There may be people wasting three to four hours a day on your team.
It’s almost impossible for anyone to be equally productive the entire day and throughout the workweek; we all experience productivity highs and lows. However, there are ways to reduce wasted time and boost employee productivity.
How to Boost Productivity in the Workplace?
You can’t force your employees to work more diligently and effectively (it will only backfire), but you can use tactics to encourage them to be more productive at work. Here are some for your reference:
● Provide the Right Tools
Nothing is more frustrating for a worker than being forced to do a task without the right tools. The frustration leads to reduced concentration and performance, and the non-availability of the right tools can increase the time it takes to complete the task.
It may surprise many, but Ottawa University reported that more than 50% of employees feel they do not have the right technology to do their job effectively.
Talk to your employees or run a company-wide survey to know what the tech scene at your company is like and fill in any technology gaps that may arise. It’s the right first step to boost employee productivity.
● Discourage Multitasking
Your employees can claim to be great at multitasking. But the reality is otherwise. Several research studies have shown the negative impacts of multitasking on individual productivity. It can cause up to a 40% dip in your employees’ performance and efficiency. For better quality work to be done more quickly, it’s best to let (and encourage) your workers to do one task at a time.
● Set Performance Goals and Review Them Regularly
Employees have been found to be more productive when they have clearly defined achievable goals. A Harvard Business Review study also reports that people work harder when they know they are being monitored. Combine these two, and you have another strategy to encourage your employees to perform better. Interestingly, when you help employees identify their goals, align them with their performance and rewards, and assist them in keeping track of their progress, your workers will be self-motivated and more willing to collaborate with other team members (if and when needed).
The Wrap Up
As mentioned earlier, it’s impossible for anyone to be their best productive self all around the clock. However, as an employer or manager, it is your responsibility to constantly review your team’s performance, work habits, and motivation levels to identify any loopholes in the system and take measures to boost productivity in the workplace. Use these proven tactics to start off on the right foot.
