Five Ways to Increase Employee Productivity
British workers spend an average of 8.8 hours a day in the workplace, which is more than the average 7.7 hours we spend sleeping! Spending so much time with our co-workers can affect our daily moods, and while a motivated employee can create a positive work environment, an unmotivated employee can hinder it.
As a boss, what can you do when you encounter an unproductive employee? Sometimes all it takes is a few small tweaks to change their perception of work. Here are 5 ways you can help motivate your employees to be more productive members of your team:
1. Allow your employees to take their dog to work
Sounds crazy, right? But did you know that taking your pooch to work can help productivity in all kinds of different ways? According to research undertaken by Tails.com, employees of pet-friendly businesses tend to work longer hours and have fewer absences, and they don’t have to worry about rushing home to let the dog out or staying home to watch a pet that may be unwell. There is even a national “Take Your Dog To Work Day” that takes place every June! Stroking and walking a dog has great benefits and can help relieve stress, ease tension and help employees hit their deadlines. It is no surprise that taking a dog to work is the number one way to maintain employee productivity and some examples of pet-friendly employers include Ben and Jerry’s, Etsy and Amazon.
2. Create a family-centric environment
Of course, you shouldn’t treat your employee the same way you would treat your father or sister for example, but treating them along the same lines as a cousin or nephew is perfectly acceptable. Make sure that your employees know that no matter what you feel about them, you always have their backs. Create an environment where your employees feel safe to nurture their creativity and curiosity, and where you as a leader provide support for them in all areas of their work.
3. Train them to do the job you have employed them to do
There is nothing worse than not knowing what to do especially when in a new role, and an employee is likely to be more productive when they understand exactly what is expected of them. Always communicate this clearly and concisely, and offer appropriate training to equip them to undertake their role to the very best of their ability. Having clear expectations helps employees set objectives that get results.
4. Incentives, even small ones, go a very long way
It is surprising how much even a £10 gift card can be valued in the workplace. It has nothing to do with the monetary value of the card, but more about the fact it shows you value your employees and their contribution to your company. If you are looking for an all-in-one solution, Perkbox offers exceptional perks for employees to help boost motivation, build stronger ties, and reward hard work.
5. Employees have lives outside of work, too
Our lives outside the workplace should always take precedence over work, and the single mother who does your accounts may have the occasional babysitter mishap, or the student who is working with you during the holidays may have an essay they need to get in by a certain date. If you are respectful and understanding when life happens, you will always have a productive and appreciative worker.
