With around 50 percent of the total population fully vaccinated, life is going back to normal. Businesses are also planning future growth to take advantage of the economic recovery in the country. But to achieve growth, businesses should work on improving productivity.
While salary increases and incentives can help in enhancing productivity, businesses have other options aside from monetary remuneration. Here are some practical ways for a business to improve the productivity of its employees.
Improve Work Conditions
The recent surge in cases across the country has made some people wary about working in the office. To deal with this apprehension, the business can make sure that the office is safe for them to work in. It should work on cleaning and disinfecting the facilities, especially if it was not used after the employees worked from home at the start of the pandemic.
Improving the natural lighting in the office also allows the employees to remain focused at work. Businesses should also check the ventilation system and increase circulation inside the office. Adding indoor plants in the office can also improve memory and concentration. Plants can also improve productivity among the employees.
Provide the Right Tools
Businesses should also make sure the employees have all the tools they need to perform their jobs. Employees become frustrated if they do not have the right tools, which can affect their productivity. Since the employees worked from home at the height of the pandemic, much of the equipment was not used at this time.
Businesses should check the equipment and make sure they are working properly. If necessary, they should replace them to ensure the employees have something to use at work. Businesses can also check the latest innovations in technology and integrate these innovations into their workflow to improve productivity. For instance, they can integrate cloud technology into the workplace to provide better access to the data that employees need at work.
Promote Learning
A National Center for Education Statistics study showed that promoting learning among employees is among the best ways to improve productivity. There is a direct correlation between employee productivity and access to continuing education among employees. Businesses can provide employee development and cross-training opportunities for their employees.
In addition to providing learning opportunities, businesses can also get the services of a reputable transformational business coach to encourage positivity among the employees through the courses the coach offers. The positivity among the employees can also help increase their productivity since it gives them an optimistic view of work.
These courses also help businesses maximize performance among their employees and increase their efficiency. Additionally, the course can help the business focus its energies on better profitability and performance.
Permit Flexible Schedules
If it’s possible, businesses should also allow flexible schedules for their employees. A flexible schedule allows employees to arrive and leave work at different times as long as they meet the minimum number of work hours each week. But they should be present during the core time of the business every day. This allows the business to take advantage of the most productive hours of the employee.
Businesses can allow the employees to come in early or late in the morning. They may even let them work in smaller time blocks. For instance, they can come in at 8:00 AM and take their lunch at noon. Then, the employee can return to the office at 2:00 PM and leave for the day at 6:00 PM. Some employees are productive at these times.
Additionally, the business can also allow the employees to work remotely on some days of the week. They can work in the office every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesday and Friday, the business can allow the employee to work from home. But this arrangement may be limited to certain positions that do not require the employee to work in the office every day.
Reinforce Communication
Reinforcing communication between the employees and managers can help improve productivity in the workplace. Constant communication between the two parties increases employee engagement. Providing the employees with regular updates can also increase their motivation.
Communication can also enhance collaboration, which has a positive effect on productivity. Communication also aligns the goals of the employees with the business. It allows the employees to connect with the mission and objectives of the business. This also increases efficiency and satisfaction among the employees.
Additionally, communication promotes innovation and cooperation among departments. It encourages different departments to share their knowledge, which can bridge skill gaps among the employees.
Increasing productivity among the employees is one of the goals that businesses should aim for, especially in a health crisis.
