In the business world, productivity, or the quality of work produced by employees in a given timeframe, is key to success. A company that can get more work done in less time will be more profitable and have a competitive advantage. But this is easier said than done as facilitating productivity can be impeded by many factors.
Being aware of these factors is the best way to get ahead of things, so here are three factors that negatively affect employee productivity.
Poor Physical Workspace
Workspaces greatly impact employee productivity for better or for worse. A cramped, dirty, cluttered workspace decreases productivity while a well-designed office space has been shown to have the opposite effect.
But what exactly constitutes a well-designed workspace? A helpful guide is hiring an interior designer to incorporate controllability, personalization, and complex task support into a new workspace design.
Controllability refers to the ability of employees to control their environment. This means having adjustable lighting, temperature, and noise levels. Personalization is the ability to make the space one’s own by adding personal items. And finally, complex task support refers to the ability of the space to support complex tasks such as brainstorming and collaborating.
Lack of Engagement
Employee engagement is critical for productivity. An engaged employee is one who is invested in a company’s success in a way that translates into going above and beyond the call of duty.
There are different ways to approach increasing employee engagement. One effective route is for the business to first invest in employees. This can mean training and development opportunities, competitive salaries, and benefits packages.
Another approach is to create an engaging company culture that employees can buy into. For example, having shared values and a common vision that employees feel invested in. When everyone is working towards the same goal, it can be a powerful motivator.
Lack of Autonomy
Employees who feel like they have no control over their work are more likely to be unproductive because they have no ownership over their projects.
An example of a lack of autonomy would be an employee who is micromanaged. This type of management style does not give employees the freedom to experiment and try new things. As a result, they become less innovative and productive.
Giving employees more autonomy does not mean giving them free rein. There still need to be guidelines and expectations in place. But within those parameters, employees should have the freedom to be creative and come up with new ideas. For instance, allowing employees to choose their teammates for projects, work schedules, and methods of execution can all lead to increased productivity.
These are three top factors that negatively affect employee productivity. By being aware of them, companies can take steps to mitigate the effects and create a more productive workplace.