Companies want to retain their best talent, especially amid a tight labor market. One of the most common challenges is employees struggling with productivity and engagement. This is not surprising given that we live in an era where work-life balance has become necessary to people’s choices regarding jobs, careers, and lifestyles.
Now more than ever, organisations need to demonstrate their value proposition as a place of work, more than just a source of income, so they can attract and retain top talent at all levels. As such, this article offers guidance on how management can help maximise productivity while supporting employees’ own life choices that will go a long way toward helping them feel engaged and productive both on and off the job.
To maximise your team’s productivity requires an understanding that today’s best talent expects flexible workplaces that support their needs and personal lives. Workers expect respect for their personal interests outside of work. Here are some ways companies can maximise employee productivity while supporting employees:
Improve the company’s onboarding programME
New employees are more likely to engage earlier on in their first jobs if they have a chance to learn about the company culture, form social and work relationships, and get up to speed on what is expected of them right away. That’s why some companies are improving orientation plans that introduce new hires to how things are done around the office over more extended periods before assigning projects or tasks. Doing this shows that you value your people and take their job transition seriously. For employees who work in a hybrid workplace, this is an especially important step. Ensure that new employees feel comfortable engaging with other employees, asking questions, and building a vital foundation of trust and connectivity.
Provide opportunities for advancement
Investing in employees will benefit your business. By providing opportunities for advancement, employees will be more likely to bring their best selves to work, which is an essential factor in achieving organisational goals. You can demonstrate that you are invested in their futures by offering coaching or guidance on career pathways within the company that align with their interests. This type of investment can decrease turnover because people tend to stay at companies longer when they feel they are getting something out of it.
Be flexible
Todays’ employees want to work in a flexible environment that supports their needs and allows them the freedom to choose how they accomplish their jobs. This is one of the most significant factors in job satisfaction – especially for millennials, who now make up the largest share of the workforce. In addition, working from home gives people time and space to take care of personal matters or handle pressing family issues without worrying about having too many absences on their record.
It’s also about giving people control over where and when they get their work done – knowing that if they can do good work from home, you’ll be more inclined to give them those opportunities when needed. For many individuals, working from home offers greater flexibility and the ability to better focus on the task at hand. A hybrid workplace appeals to people who excel in the office and at home.
Flexible work schedules can help attract and retain top talent because it allows employees more control over their lives outside of work. Providing flexible scheduling, time off during holidays and days off, and offering options for working remotely are ways to make people feel valued for their contributions, no matter when or where they’re working.
Encourage work-life balance
Your employees need to know that you value them as a whole person, not just as workers. In an age of 24/7 connectivity and social media, it’s easy for employees to feel obligated to be on call at all times. Work-life balance policies and company wellness programmes can help set boundaries and create a healthier environment for those who want to achieve the right balance between their personal lives and work.
By communicating this expectation clearly, managers build trust with the team and improve morale. Keeping strong boundaries in place ensure that employees have a much-needed break from work so they return to the workplace refreshed and better able to focus.
Invest in workplace ergonomics
“As technology evolves, people need to find ways to make their work more comfortable. If you spend most of your day at a computer, it’s important to choose high-quality ergonomic furniture and ergonomic peripherals like chairs, mice, keyboards, and monitors.”, says Helene Melby Brodersen, Head of PR, Brand & Communication at Eco Online.
And what about those who work from home? Having a company computer or double monitors can make a world of difference for those who rely on company IT equipment. Additionally, employees should be briefed on the importance of ergonomics in the workplace and how it impacts their physical and mental health.
Employees spend a large part of their life at work, so it’s important to ensure the conditions are ideal. Ergonomic furniture and devices, well-placed lighting, sound-dampening panels in walls and floors, adjustable workstations – all make for a healthier environment. Investing in these areas makes employees more comfortable and less distracted while working.
Reward and recogniSe employees
Good managers find ways to reward and recognise the people who contribute the most. If you have a particularly impactful project on your hands, rewarding those involved can help foster a culture of success – which will be good for future projects. Recognising contributions is vital for overall morale, as well as acknowledging top performers within a company or team. It is also a great way to show that you care about your employees outside of what they do at work.
A lack of recognition can make people feel unvalued and discouraged from doing quality work in the future, so it’s crucial to find small ways to show appreciation when merited. This could be as simple as saying “thank you” or making sure someone is recognized during a team meeting.
For those who work from home, it’s important to recognise their work as well. Ensure that they are rewarded for their work and not overlooked just because they aren’t sitting in the office on a daily basis. Out of sight, out of mind isn’t a good motto when it comes to a hybrid workplace.
Streamline Workflow
Company leaders should promote workflow optimisation not only within their teams but across the whole organisation. By sharing processes and best practices with team members, managers can help improve collaboration across departments.
The more efficient and streamlined your processes are, the lesser time employees will spend on mundane tasks. This can increase their productivity and decrease turnover. It could also reduce waste and save time and money for the company in the long run.
Update Technology
Using the best technology available can help increase productivity and boost company morale, making employees feel more comfortable and able to get their jobs done more efficiently. Updating hardware and software can go a long way in achieving these goals.
Managers should also stay on top of advances in technology and remain aware of how they affect business processes to implement new concepts within their department and across the organisation as needed.
Whether your workplace is fully in the office, at home, or both, ensure their technology is up to date. For employees who work at home either all or part of the time, having reliable technology is vital to staying connected and doing their work. Regular training sessions for new technology can also keep employees connected and better able to handle anything new implemented in the workplace.
The Benefits
Maximising productivity while supporting employees can have numerous benefits for the company. The right balance between efficient labor and quality employee interactions can help create a more engaged, positive workforce. It also helps improve workplace morale by making employees feel connected to the company and know that their opinions matter.
Maximising productivity while supporting employees is especially beneficial when it comes to large-scale projects. Whether short-term or long-term in nature, these types of projects can be difficult and stressful for the people involved. If they aren’t adequately motivated and supported, they might not be successful when it counts most.
For employees who work from home all or part of the time, support is especially vital so they don’t feel cut off from the workplace. While many people have adjusted to working from home in the past year, it’s important to keep an engaged and connected workforce.
Therefore…
As we’ve seen, there are many benefits of maximising productivity while supporting your employees. It’s important to create a culture where the two go hand-in-hand. By making various adjustments and ensuring that people feel supported in their work, managers can send an important message about what they value and help make their in office and hybrid teams more efficient and effective overall.
Author: Sophie Miller – Digital Content Strategist at H55
Photo credit: LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash
Awesome article on maximising productivity ! Thanks for writing about this. Updating tech is a good way to boost that as well.