Employee productivity is a top priority for every manager, owner and CEO, especially now that remote work is here to stay. But how much do you really know about how to increase productivity in the workplace?
Here are 3 key facts you need to know, plus 5 tips for boosting your company’s employee productivity.
3 key facts you need to know about employee productivity
1. Up to 67% of the workforce is not engaged
According to Gallup, more than 2 in every 3 employees isn’t engaged. To put it into perspective, let’s say a company has 10,000 employees who make an average salary of $50,000. That means the cost of that disengagement amounts to more than $60 million each year.
Other studies show that US employers lose approximately $11 billion annually in lost productivity, which explains why trying to figure out how to increase productivity in the workplace is a business in its own right.
2. Disengaged employees cost companies nearly 20% of their salaries
If you work for a smaller business, it may be difficult to get a sense of what that percentage means for you. But the same Gallup survey shows a connection between engagement and employee productivity for any size business: Employees who aren’t engaged cost their company the equivalent of 18% of their annual salary.
Consider an employee whose productivity you’re unsure of and do the math. It’s the fastest way to see the impact disengagement may be having on your business.
If you already have Time Tracker, you can quickly pull an employee report that shows:
- Billable versus non-billable hours
- How much time is spent on specific tasks
- How much PTO employees are taking
- Employee utilization rates
3. Productivity is 14% higher among engaged teams
The flipside of those statistics, naturally, is that employee productivity is higher among engaged teams. The recent Gallup survey places that number at 14%, but previous studies put that number closer to 20%. Either way, it’s a percentage managers and owners need to take seriously.
How to increase the productivity of employees
When it comes to figuring out how to increase productivity in the workplace, it should come as no surprise that it starts at the top. Gallup finds that the manager or team leader alone accounts for 70% of the variance in team engagement. They also find that one of the most common mistakes companies make is thinking of engagement as a sporadic or one-time effort. If managers are only concerned about engagement leading up to an annual meeting, or in the weeks before a survey goes out, employees feel that.
The solution: Give your employees the tools they need to engage all the time. With a system like Time Tracker, employees can stay engaged and productive no matter where they are.
5 tips to increase productivity in remote workplaces using Time Tracker
1. Communicate clearly and consistently
When working remotely, employees need to know the importance of work-life balance. Be sure to set boundaries and expectations from day one, and keep them engaged by asking questions or running polls.
2. Recommend breaks
Your team will have more time in their day without their commute. Regular breaks can boost energy and enhance concentration, which improves employee productivity.
3. Encourage set working hours
Stress the importance of working regular hours, and encourage your team to stick to a routine to keep them motivated and engaged.
4. Help create a workspace
Provide your employees with the tools they need to be successful when working from home, including allowing them to take home computer monitors and laptops. Consider offering stipends or incentives so they can create a space that makes them feel productive.
5. Offer incentives
Create a work-from-home policy that focuses on results, whether it’s based on hours billed or projects completed. Incentivizing performance and results is a great way to increase the productivity of employees, even when you’re apart.
Ready to increase employee productivity in your workplace?
Try a free, 14-day trial of Time Tracker today and see the difference time tracking software can make. No credit card required.
