Employees can be a business’s most valuable asset — and luckily for the managers out there — one of the most effective ways of ensuring employee productivity and that everyone enjoys their job and working environment.
1. Hire the Right People
Taking the time to hire an individual who not only has required professional experience but relevant skill sets and interests, can have a big impact. With 25% of people reportedly leaving their jobs due to company culture, finding an individual who identifies with the values of a business is vital for both longevity and collaboration.
2. Show that Efforts Yield Results
The way that the majority of businesses are structured today means that employees are unlikely to actually see the fruits of their labor. While working in teams has many benefits, the fact that an individual is unable to track their work from conception to delivery can impact feelings of pride and satisfaction. Taking the time to show employees the finished product or the effect their work has had on a specific aspect of the business will increase long-term productivity and job satisfaction.
3. Pay on Time
The most common employee complaints and grievances are regarding pay and benefits. Failing to pay on time or the appropriate amount can have a significant knock-on effect on a staff member’s personal life. Using tools such as online payroll services can ensure that such errors don’t continue to impact productivity as they streamline the administration surrounding invoices and salaries.
4. Working Environment
To understand the need for a quality working environment, it can be useful to consider the success of companies like Google. This tech giant offers its employees a range of perks from onsite doctors, chefs, nap pods, video games, global education leave, flexible working schedules, and more. Employees even have the option to bring their pets to work with them. The reason this corporation is so dedicated to its working environment is that happy employees are a smart investment: they work harder, spend more time in the office, and are less likely to leave the company.
5. Promotion Potential
Opportunities for growth have a major effect on an individual’s productivity levels: incentivising with bonuses and the possibility for promotion is essential. This also helps to foster an environment in which staff feel valued for their work and, since 69% of employees state they work harder when they feel they have been appreciated, it can make all the difference.
6. Allow for Flexibility
A recent study has found that after health insurance, the second most valuable offering to employees is the option of flexible working hours. Making sure employees have a healthy balance between their work and personal lives, through work from home or flexible hours, is a relatively low-cost option that can benefit productivity.
7. Vary the Workload
A thoughtful recruitment process should ensure that the employee is at least interested in the work they are doing; however, this alone is not enough for complete job satisfaction. Work should also be varied and provide enough challenges to keep an employee motivated.
