"Work is not everything" -- I keep reminding myself as I sit through yet another pointless meeting. "It's beautiful outside," says my mind. I want to go outside and play in the sweet sunshine. But I have priorities -- patients to see, reports to run, and phone calls to make. I know I am not alone. There are countless others engaged in the same pursuit every single day of their lives. The question is whether we are getting more productive as a result? Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding NO.
Worker productivity has risen very slightly over the last few years, according to the Department of Labor. This is definitely not in keeping with the amount of work that is being put in by workers on a daily basis in the United States. Compared to other countries in Europe and North America, we are far behind in our overall productivity. So what can an employer do to improve employee productivity in the long run? I have some answers for them below.
•Reward your employees with perks other than monetary boosts -- When was the last time you arranged a pizza party or impromptu Happy Hour for your employees? Research shows that employees feel more attached to their employer when they can bond with each other in non-work settings.
•Don't measure success in terms of net profit -- An organization should not always look at their bottom-line if they want to increase employee productivity and retain efficient employees for the long haul. Profit is of course important, but there are other indicators of success that are equally important, such as employee satisfaction and engagement, that will actually help boost productivity in the long run.
•Tell your employees they are doing a good job -- A lot of times employees quit organizations where they do not fee valued as human beings. Verbal reinforcement can go a long way in showing someone that you care about them more than just the work that they are doing for you. And as behavioral science tells us, reinforcement is always a better motivator than punishment.
•Recognize and promote talent, irrespective of their race -- There is no disputing the fact that there is widespread prejudice and discrimination when it comes to giving employees promotions and raises. On average, Caucasian employees tend to get the most important salary hikes and promotions, whether they are really deserving or not. When an employer recognizes talent, they should help mold and develop that talent without paying attention to their racial or ethnic background.
•Promote diversity of opinion -- Just because an employee thinks of a different solution to the problem than her boss does not mean that she is wrong. Oftentimes, employers tend to dismiss or devalue diversity of opinions and suggestions. This could lead to organizational groupthink, which can be detrimental to its very foundation in future.
So employers, build your employees up and you will be rewarded with promising results. Some of these results could even surpass your expectations. Go ahead, try out my suggestions. Let me know what you think.