Distractions in work are a huge reason for loss of productivity and efficiency. The common reasons for employees losing focus and motivation are smartphones. Be it social media, online shopping or texting, there’re hundreds of ways for employees to lose focus to these devices. Research suggests that 36 working days each year are lost due to this type of procrastination.
Is there anything you can do to improve your employee’s productivity? We take a look here with Cliverton, specialists in insurance for dog walkers.
Optimise the office space
Did you know that the temperature of the office can really make a difference on your staff’s 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.
Surprisingly, adding a dash of colour to the surroundings can be beneficial for morale. 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.
A benefit of office work is not having to be standing up all day. However, giving the option to work while standing up is proven to be effective at improving productivity. 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.
Hit the targets
Setting goals is definitely a SMART idea. 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.
It’s crucial that employees have a clear picture of what the company wants of them and what they want to achieve. Research indicates that goal setting can improve work performance by up to 25%. 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.
Pet
If Google and Amazon have office pets, so why don’t you? 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.”
This is important, as a good relationship 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 has shared that those of a healthy weight take, on average, two days less off work for sick days every year. 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.
Flexible hours
Millennials now hold a huge percentage of the UK’s workforce and this group, more than any other, has a large focus on the balance between work and social life, seeing it as a priority when job hunting. In fact, it has been found that 70% 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”.
Flexible work hours mean that work life can be manoeuvred to work around their social life.
Productivity is essential for every business. By applying the above advice, you can improve your workplace for your employees easily. In turn, this will benefit your business and you will reap the rewards. After all, as Richard Branson says: “Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.”
