Check This if Your Employee's Productivity is Lacking

Managers constantly try to improve employee productivity, as the more you get out of someone's work, the more efficient your office becomes. Restricting someone's Internet access or texting abilities may not solve all the threats to productivity, but if you take a statistical look at what lowers productivity levels, you can adapt your company's strategy to increase profits.

An infographic from Profiles International shows major threats to productivity and the motivators that improve employee productivity. The data suggests that companies can keep workers at the same productivity levels at the end of the work week as they are at the beginning. Workers typically are not as constructive or efficient just prior to the weekend due to several factors.

Managers must realize what motivates employees to work at peak levels constantly. As much as 82 percent of employees are motivated by recognition, and 66 percent find their passions from a specific company culture. Find a way to recognize someone's diligent work in a public way on a weekly basis. Bring food to your team every Friday to reward a hard week's work.

Break times offer important ways for workers to take recuperate. A short rest, or a power nap, helps employee productivity by improving brain function and alleviating tiredness. The best nap times are from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and optimal break periods are 6 minutes for every 90 minutes of work time.

Set deadlines to increase employee productivity. Up to 55 percent of workers find a deadline motivates them to work more efficiently. Deadlines do not necessarily mean more pressure, but it lets employees know how to focus their efforts on one task versus other projects.

Threats to employee productivity include overworking, stress, distractions and communication lapses. High-stress employees average 4.6 sick days per year versus just 2.6 sick days per year for low-stress workers. As many as six of 10 stressed workers are disengaged from work.

Distractions and time-wasters represent ways employees find other things to do at the office, such as checking Facebook posts, surfing the Internet or taking personal phone calls. Lack of communication is also a huge time waster. As many as 74 minutes per day are spent trying to get in touch with clients or co-workers, which adds up to $5,246 worth of staff time wasted per year. Improve lines of communication to increase production by having emails, voice mails and text alerts.

Workers can mitigate productivity problems by keeping in mind several tips and tricks. Plan your day ahead of time so you know what tasks must be done first, and know when your appointments occur so you can manage your time wisely. Break larger tasks into smaller, step-by-step procedures that make goal-setting easier. Get adequate rest before and after work, and avoid bringing your work home whenever possible.

Employee productivity falters when workers become overwhelmed, distracted and stressed. Companies and managers should encourage employees to seek balance at the office by offering regular breaks, ergonomic work spaces and a relaxed atmosphere for time spent off the clock.

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net