5 factors that affect employee productivity
Are you aware of the 5 main factors that affect employee productivity?
In a recent report published by Dell, the tech giant has revealed the top gripes of over 1,000 UK workers and which have the biggest impact on productivity levels.
Whilst the regulars of temperature, noise levels and unnecessary meetings account for the top three complaints in the survey, factors relating to poor workplace design and technology aren’t far behind.
Old equipment
It’s no surprise to see this on the list—outdated technology that is slow and unreliable can be a major source of frustration for employees. A slow computer can affect performance in more than one way: not only does every task take much longer, but there’s also a risk of it freezing and potentially causing the loss of an entire day’s work.
If you are looking to give your employees some additional motivation, why not try looking at implementing some new equipment? Not only will it make your working environment look and function a lot better, but 41% of survey respondents believe that high performance desktop workstations have the power to improve their own effectiveness.
Quiet working areas
Despite aiming to increase collaboration and interaction, the rise of the open plan office has, in fact, achieved the complete opposite. With 34% of employees struggling to cope with overhearing their colleagues’ conversations from all angles, it’s clear to see that the need for balance has been lost somewhere along the way.
If you think this could be a problem in your workplace, try to incorporate quiet zones, phone booths or rooms where people can go to escape the hustle and bustle of the main office. You will find that it can make a huge difference to concentration and productivity levels.
Messy desks
Less mess equals less stress! From constant distractions to its impact on health, 24% of workers feel that a cluttered desk affects their productivity. Although some people work best in chaos, most of us prefer an organised and tidy space.
Simple storage and organisational solutions—like shelving or drawer units—can transform a once chaotic workspace into a perfectly organised station.
Poor lighting
It may not be your first thought when considering productivity levels, but bad lighting is commonly associated with both physical and mental ill-health, including eye strain, fatigue and anxiety.
You can combine both natural and artificial lighting to create a healthy working environment for your employees. From planning desk space closer to windows to replacing old fluorescent bulbs with LEDs, there are several ways to create a better, more productive space.
Ergonomics
The ergonomics of your workplace will be one of the top deciding factors in how much your employees miss work, given that back pain and musculoskeletal disorders are some of the most common reasons for people to call in sick.
Each of your employees will have individual preferences and there may not necessarily be a ‘one size fits all’ approach, but you can take steps to create a comfortable environment by investing in quality equipment. Sit-stand desks, ergonomic seating, monitor arms, and telephones are just a few of the items to consider when equipping your workspace.
Those five factors can transform the atmosphere in your workspace and boost productivity—sometimes simple tweaks make all the difference.
What would you add to the list of of the factors that affect employee productivity?
If you’re looking to improve the productivity levels in your office, get in touch with us for a personalized quote on oliver@foursquareworkspace.co.uk or 0800 6347 415, or use the contact form available on our website.
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