Dissecting Employee Productivity

It’s evident that employee productivity is important at work. Organizations across the globe rely on their workforce for optimum productivity. In this case, the need for ensuring employee productivity becomes a matter of necessity for every organization. But do we know the sole factors that affect our productivity while working?

There are several factors that can affect productivity, such as organizational environment, communication, appropriate tools, and company culture. Each of these factors influences and affects the employee’s productivity.

This article tackles factors that you need to inspect for maintaining a productive work environment and how to improve it.

What is productivity?

When we talk about workplace productivity, we are referring largely to how much work is accomplished in a particular work environment over a particular span of time.

The traditional model of productivity is often conceptualized linearly. Meaning: the more hours one puts in, the more productive you are. This idea misses a crucial point: Humans are not machines. They get tired-mentally and physically.

However, after years of observation and research, we can now define productivity in a more subtle approach that takes into consideration the value and quality of work as well. In short, the more suitable definition of productivity means producing valuable and quality work in a short period.

1. Organizational Environment

One fundamental human requirement of employee productivity is a working environment that allows employees to perform their work optimally under comfortable conditions. How does the level of comfort affect people working in office environments?

When the environment is negative or tense, engagement and productivity levels decrease significantly thus affecting the company as a whole. In most cases, modern workplaces are embedded in environments that are inherently dynamic and distracting. Improper surroundings may impede the productivity rate of employees. Hence, the workplace needs an environment in which the employee can carry out his work without any hindrance. This aspect does not only lie on employers but to also the employees. Distractions may come internally or externally.

2. Lack of Technological Tools

When we say technology, we refer to everything employees have at their disposal to do their respective jobs and tasks. It has become an inseparable element of the modern workplace and it is quite difficult to think of business or workplace without making a noteworthy reference to technology.

An employee’s ton of work can be done seamlessly if the right computer along with suitable working software is perfectly harmonized. With the help of the internet, an increased level of coordination at work can be achieved. The problem is there are still a lot of companies that don’t upgrade or ignore the necessity for tech tools like computers and working software which in result runs the risk of diminished employee productivity. In today’s job environment, being productive means equipping employees with the right technological tools and gears. You don’t need to invest millions in keeping up to date with every new device that’s coming but you can learn to maximize the potential they offer by being open to new ways technology can help.

3. Morale and Company Culture

Company culture is also an important aspect of employee productivity. Workers are more likely to enjoy work when their needs and values are consistent with their employers. If you work somewhere where the culture is a good fit, you'll tend to develop better relationships with coworkers and be more productive. On the contrary, if you work for a company where you don’t fit in with the culture, you are likely to feel less pleasure in your work thus creating diminished efficiency to tasks.

Healthy and productive cultures within organizations are based on effective communication. If employees and managers in the company have good working relationships with each other, the culture of the company improves and becomes a healthy one.

This brings us to our next sub-topic which is communication.

4. Workplace Communication

An organization that communicates throughout the workplace in an effective manner is more likely to avoid problems with completing the daily procedures. Such an organization generates stronger morale and a more positive attitude of employees towards work. Efficient communication includes clear instructions, fast message delivery, and proper explanation, which is the key factor in solid cooperation between employers and employees. Not only does it foster transparency, trust, and healthy employee morale but it also ensures that there are fewer conflicts, negativity, and tension in the workplace. That is why it is essential to have effective communication in an organization. This will strengthen your organization both internally and externally.

How to Improve Employee Productivity:

A universal solution to maximum productivity doesn’t exist. Improving productivity takes the application of varieties of strategies, tips, and research-driven hacks. Understanding what helps and what hinders productivity is of paramount importance for any organization. Here are some formulated tips on how to maximize employee productivity:

1. Empower your staff to work smarter, not harder

Humans are not robots or automated machines—quite the contrary! In the long-run, treating them as such is detrimental to overall employee engagement and especially in productivity. If there’s no systematic way to approach tasks, employees easily fall into the trap of being unsure where to start and feel overwhelmed. Let us teach employees to work in intervals and prioritize important tasks. They shall break down tasks into a more deliverable and manageable way. Work will become less daunting as a result.

2. Acknowledge the use of technology and software tools.

Companies should use technology as an advantage. These software applications have the benefit of giving employers a 360-degree view of what their team is working on. So they’re always aware of who is working on what and when. These tools are essential to management today and help keep employees aligned on what needs to be done. You don’t need high-end software for computers to achieve this.

3. Effective communication is key

Effective communication in the workplace is central to all business goals.

• It avoids confusion

• It provides purpose

• It builds a positive company culture

• It creates accountability

Final Thoughts:

There are many things that influence employee productivity, but these factors are crucial when we want to improve and increase it. The key to maximizing overall contribution and output is to make sure your organization stays knowledgeable and realistic about the limits of cognitive effort and attention while respecting and trusting employees as autonomous individuals.