5 Methods to Increase Employee Productivity

Posted by Jim Raychrudhury on August 13th, 2018

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spend more than 40 hours a week working. They work more than anyone in the industrialized world, working longer days, taking less vacation, and retiring later. 

But does working more equal higher productivity? Studies suggest that most of the eight hours employees are spending at the office are filled doing things other than work, including socializing, eating, and browsing social media.

We take a look at some of the strategies business owners can use to increase employee productivity, that doesn’t involve simply putting more hours in.

1) Reduce distractions

One way to increase productivity is to improve focus, which means you need to think of ways to create a less distracting environment. One of the biggest distractions in the workplace is a cell phone. Every time your phone rings or you get an unscheduled text message or notification, it can be all too tempting to stop what you’re doing and divert your focus to your mobile device.

While banning phones altogether may not be the most practical approach, you could encourage workers to put their phones on silent and place them out of sight. That’s because even the mere presence of a phone can be distracting. Instead, schedule regular breaks when they are free to use their phones and respond to any important messages.

2) Create the right environment

Whether your employees spend all day sitting at their desks or on their feet, you need to consider how their working environment can affect their productivity. For instance, regular breaks and sit-stand desks could help workers who usually spend most of their working day sitting down, as this will help to reduce back, neck, and shoulder pain, which can get in the way of productivity.

On the other hand, standing for too long can lead to standing fatigue, which will also impact productivity. Again, taking regular breaks will help to combat this, along with using anti-fatigue mats. Other things that could help to create a more productive environment include personalizing your workspace, removing clutter, introducing greenery, using natural lighting, making sure you drink enough water and keeping the office at a pleasant temperature.

3) Have the right tools and equipment

That slow printer could be costing you more time than you realize. If your employees need a computer to complete their daily tasks, then the last thing you want to hear is that they were unable to do their job because the computer was down.

Make sure that you equip your workers with the right tools and equipment for the job, even if that means investing in high-quality, modern devices. Not only will this help to make your employees more efficient, but it will also help to reduce stress and frustration, both of which can also kill productivity.

4) Set realistic goals

Do your workers have a clear focus and set goals? Expectations can differ from one company to the next, so it’s important that both you and your employees have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. This will help you to measure the productivity of your business, while workers will be given an incentive to stay on track, thereby increasing productivity.

You should schedule regular check-ins to see how your team is progressing and whether or not goals are being met on time. If you see that someone is falling behind, then you can take the time to identify any areas where they may be struggling or if there is something causing the lack of productivity, such as spending too much time on non-work related sites. By addressing the issue, you can help your employee reach their full potential and keep productivity levels high.

5) Offer incentives

You would be surprised how a small incentive can go a long way. Incentive programs that offer recognition for a job well done with things such as extra time off, gift cards, or a free cup of coffee can make a big difference to a business, helping employees to stay motivated, increasing productivity, and improving company morale.

While monetary rewards appear to offer the best form of motivation, other good options include the option to finish the workday early, paying for drinks or meals out, and extra vacation time.

Even making small changes in the workplace can help to dramatically boost the productivity of your employees. As is often the case, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, so take the time to consider what strategies may work best for you and your business.

Photo by Studio Republic on Unsplash