Unmotivated employees being unproductive can be costly for businesses — according to research, procrastination can equate to 36 working days annually, including wasting time on our phones browsing social media, texting our friends, and even online shopping.
That begs the question, what exactly can be done to help boost your workforce’s productivity levels? We take a look here with Cliverton, specialists in kennel insurance.
Better Office Conditions
It’s likely that you never considered that office temperature can influence productivity. The optimum temperature is between 20-21C. Anything outside of this bracket may lead to distractions in concentration, as employees will be more interested in reaching an acceptable body temperature. This could include getting up to put their coat on or playing with the air conditioning system.
Similarly, the colour you decorate your office can have a significant impact on both morale and productivity. While we may say we are feeling ‘blue’, this primary colour is said to put you at ease in the workplace. It’s said to be an ‘emotionally comfortable’ colour, meaning you’ll be happier if your décor is awash with blue. Green has a similar effect and is most suited to those who are looking for a creative environment. Then there is purple; a colour which can encourage teamwork and creativity. You’ll likely find this, alongside red, in design firms.
Implementing standing desks into the office can be beneficial. Not only is this concept a good way to boost your staff’s productivity, but it also has health benefits. By allowing a colleague to choose or alternate their stance during the working day, you will be showing that you care about their well-being.
Achievable Goals
SMART goals can help motivate us — this means you should be specific in your goal, making sure it’s measurable and action-orientated. It should also be realistic and time-bound.
Having achievable goals are imperative. Research indicates that goal setting can improve work performance by up to 25 per cent. However, if you introduce goals or targets that aren’t realistic, morale and productivity will nosedive. It’s important that you keep staff focused and on the same track. This can be provided by giving them clear directions and an end goal that is clearly reachable.
Pets in the Office
It’s not a coincidence that the world’s most successful companies like Google and Amazon have their own office pets. Research has found that nine out of 10 dog owners are happier in life because of their furry friend. This is because they can help reduce stress levels, and this can also transfer to the office.
Nestlé UK’s head of HR, Paul Steadman said: “Having a dog-friendly workplace encouraged interaction and socialisation between employees who may not have crossed paths otherwise.”
Having good relations with co-workers has been found as a major player in job satisfaction. And, as they say: a happy worker is a good worker.
Healthy Living
The Centres of Disease Control and Prevention states that male workers who are a healthy weight take two days less off due to sickness compared to those who are overweight. Therefore, company benefits, such as the use of a company gym and free fruit, can go a long way to improving productivity. In Google’s New York office, it’s even rumoured that no colleague is ever more than 150 feet away from food because they believe nutrition will keep the productivity levels high.
Work/Life Balance
Having a good balance between work and life is the key to a happy life, especially to millennials, who are now dominating the workforce. It’s been found that 70 per cent of millennials believe a flexible work schedule is a priority when looking for a new job. Head of Brand and Content at Remote Year, Emily Moyer agrees, stating that “flexible work schedules make you happier”. Thanks to flexible shift patterns, a colleague will feel less stressed due to the fact they can easily plan their schedule around their life commitments.
With productivity being one of the most important elements of a business, following this advice can help your business and employees flourish!
