Nobody is indispensable in the workplace anymore!
But getting yourself fired, or firing your own employees may not solve the problem of lackluster performance at the cash register. There are other factors causing poor productivity, and you may not believe how seemingly "harmless" activities can sap a lot of energy! Read on...
Really, how do you resuscitate an ailing bottom line without firing some employees who may have caused it?
It is never easy to send someone out of the door with all his things – in a box. Firing employees is one function I never relish doing; how about you?
Firing employees is not the solution to your apparent slack in bringing in those revenues. It might be Facebook, or your office equipments; maybe, office noise, too.
Three Spoilers of Productivity
The Internet. Oh, that Facebook thing! Everyone seems to want a piece of cyberspace through this networking site, and who can blame them? It’s the most convenient and cost-efficient way to meet-up with friends and family; in fact, the Facebook-fever has rubbed on companies and organizations, as well. Products, services and ideas are marketed on Facebook, like it’s the new Amazon or eBay.
However, this networking phenomenon can have disastrous effect on your bottom line if used by your employees during their working hours, and for personal reasons. It nips productivity, right on the bud. If you want to maximize your employees’ productivity, for your company’s benefit, then by all means prohibit their access to Facebook, Twitter and other “spoilers” during office hours.
Stress at the Workplace. Have you heard of the word, “ergonomics”? This word might just save thousands of dollars for you!
Work-related stress contributes to employees getting sick and taking on sick leave or vacation due to health reasons. Wherever you look at it, it translates to “loss” on your probable income. As an employer, downtime due to employees’ absences always affect your bottom line. Ergonomic chairs, desks, keyboards and everything ergonomics may just be the solution you need.
The science of Ergonomics teaches us that to avoid stress-related ailments like carpal tunnel syndrome, backaches, or the irritating stiff neck, office equipments, such as keyboard and mouse, including office chairs and desks should fit the user. When it comes to the workplace, “fits all” may not sound a good idea!
Office Noise. Chatterboxes have no place in the office, but sadly, there are people who are oblivious to this fact. They chat, laugh, and even sing (!) like they are in a marketplace, not in an office. The noise they create can disturb others and lower the collective productivity of your entire workforce!
Suffice it to say, silence makes gold. If your employees find themselves working in a peaceful environment, they can produce more.
However, even if you gag or put masking tape over the mouth of your company’s chatterbox, noise is still inevitable. Humming sound of your aircon, footsteps, opening and closing of the door, these are spoilers, too.
How can you switch on “mute” every source of noise in the office? You cannot; therefore, it can help you a lot if you devise a plan on how you can eliminate noise without gagging an employee who makes noise, or shutting every source of noise just to cultivate an atmosphere of silence in the office.
Find the cause why your employees are not as productive as when they started out, and when it is caused by noise distractions, now you know what to do!
