4 Odd-But-True Problems That Can Hurt Employee Productivity

Your employees are vital to the success of your business. It therefore naturally follows that you need your employees to be attentive, feeling good about their occupation, and giving their all when they are working.

While that sounds easy enough to achieve, the reality is usually much more stark. If you get your workplace environment wrong, then you’re going to have unhappy employees on your hands. And unhappy employees are — inevitably — unproductive employees. Essentially, if your staff aren’t working to their full capacity, then neither is your business.

Getting employee happiness right is an absolute essential to how your business functions — but it can be troublesome. Not only do you have to take care of the obvious things, such as an adequate number of breaks as discussed on http://workplaceinfo.com.au/payroll/hours-of-work/analysis/rest-breaks-during-work-hours-the-issues, but you also have to keep an eye out for the odd things that can cause a drop in productivity from your employees.

1. Bad Weather

It’s true; if the weather outside is frightful, then there’s every chance your employees aren’t going to be delightful. Obviously, there is very little that you can do to control the weather — but be aware of it. On days where it’s raining and gloomy, it might be best to focus on tasks that require staff to work alone rather than in groups. This helps prevent arguments that might develop due to bad moods.

2. Lack Of Daylight

We all need daylight.

This is particularly important during winter, when days are so short that your employees might spend the entire duration of the day indoors. Lack of daylight is a huge contributor to mood, as discussed at https://www.gaiam.com/blogs/discover/how-does-sunlight-impact-your-mood. Without that daylight exposure, employees will be more lethargic and less willing to engage in group activities. Try and ensure that everyone gets outside a couple of times a day; even a few minutes makes a big difference.

3. Improper Indoor Lighting

If employees are constantly having to squint to see what they’re doing, they’re not going to be happy employees. Not only is this going to delay them when it comes to getting work done as quickly as possible, but they could also suffer headaches and other maladies as a result of working in a low-light environment. It therefore becomes imperative that you explore innovative lighting solutions, so your employees can work effectively and comfortably.

4. Uncomfortable Furniture

Stylish, yes, but comfortable?

Finally, another clear link between pain and discomfort impacting employee performance. Investing in your office furniture isn’t just about pampering your employees; it’s the best way to ensure their mind stays focused on the work tasks in front of them. Uncomfortable furniture not only increases the risk of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), but also may prevent your staff from working to their full capability. While this is an expense, bear in mind it should also reduce employee absenteeism due to RSI-related injuries — so investing in your furniture could actually save you money in the long term.

With these issues rectified, your business should be more productive than ever.