How to ignite your team's productivity

Ensuring your employees are healthy and performing well goes beyond looking after their well-being outside the office. To round out a healthy and productive employee, employers need to look at how they are taking care of their team in the workplace as well. But how can you measure workplace productivity to determine if processes are running smoothly? And how can you identify what areas need improvement?

In this blog, we will discuss these topics and give valuable advice on being an insightful employer.

How do you measure workplace productivity?

Employee productivity is the ability to receive instructions and deliver outcomes. Business leaders measure employee productivity to assess how long tasks take to complete. It helps identify areas for improvement. To track productivity, you can look at:

• The amount of work that gets done
• The number of hours put in at the office—or online in a remote or hybrid environment

However, productivity tracking is sometimes more nuanced than the amount of work accomplished. Many situations can impact workforce productivity, including:

• Communication: Does the team member have everything they need to get their work done?  Did the employer clearly explain the tasks? Did the employee understand the assigned task or project?
  
  
• Diversity: Is the employee given the same opportunities for advancement as other team members? Does an employer have either conscious or unconscious bias against the individual?
  
  
• Employee health and wellness: Does the employee deal with physical, mental, or emotional health concerns? Do these concerns prohibit them from giving tasks their full attention and energy? Do they have the necessary benefits to address these potential medical issues?
  
  
• Leadership: Does the employee feel valued by the company’s leadership team? Can the C-Suite executives empower and motivate this employee for improved efficiency?
  
  
• Technology: Does the employee have the proper tools and equipment to finish their work? Is there a system or software that could make them more efficient and give them more time back in their day?
  
  
• Training: Was this team member educated on best practices and given everything they need to be successful? What further training could improve the employees’ understanding and boost their confidence?
  
  
• Workplace culture: Does the employee feel like a valuable member of the team? Is a person or group of people making work difficult for the employee?
  
  
• Work environment: Is the workplace set up for optimal performance and concentration? Is their office a place where they want to work and feel comfortable and inspired?

Healthy and happy employees are very likely to be more productive. Employers should keep this in mind when assessing their employees’ productivity and performance.

Importance of employee productivity

Businesses are generally more profitable when employees complete tasks quickly and efficiently. However, organizations can also find long-term success by motivating and engaging team members. Here are some of the main benefits of high-performing teams:

Improved customer service

High-yielding employees complete their tasks faster and have more time to focus on offering excellent customer service. No matter what role an individual works in, there is some form of customer interaction. This is true even for employees who don’t have face time with customers. Individuals who can provide quality and attention to partners are valuable to a business.

Increased employee engagement

Employee engagement and productivity go hand in hand. Productive team members regularly communicate with their co-workers and attend meetings. They are also more likely to participate in work-related activities, help their colleagues, and seek learning opportunities. This can result in more passionate individuals who like what they do and produce top-quality work.

Greater collaboration

Increased productivity can facilitate more widespread and consistent contributions to the company. It also tends to improve overall production and work quality. Everyone can contribute to success when all team members play a part in the group effort. Collaborative teams are also more likely to be sought after by potential employees. It gives businesses with strong teams a competitive advantage.

Higher employee retention

Engaged employees tend to be more passionate about their careers, working hard to achieve their goals. Employers can provide learning opportunities for productive employees that motivate them to stay. Businesses with a higher percentage of productive employees have better retention rates. This saves them money and helps them build a positive brand image.

How to improve workplace productivity

There are several ways employers can boost productivity within the workplace:

Create a positive environment

A positive environment starts at the top—with C-Suite executives—trickling down to every other department. By leading the way, employers can show how important the company culture is to them. It also makes it more likely for everyone else to follow suit.

This could look like:

• Improving collaborative efforts between co-workers
• Introducing more relationship-building exercises throughout the workweek
• Offering incentive-based health programs

Use employees’ skills in their assigned roles and provide regular training

Some employees may struggle to stay productive because their tasks are too challenging. Others may not have the proper education or resources. Assess the team’s skills to avoid putting pressure on team members who still need more training. Then, train these individuals in the areas that need the most help.  

Give employees chances to learn new systems and processes that make their jobs more efficient.

This could include helping them:

• Attend a webinar on improvements for their role
• Learn about technology and tools related to their role or job function, like Google Suite or Adobe products
• Use scheduling software

Set clear goals and expectations

Employers must take charge of setting goals for their employees. With clear guidance and expectations, workers can measure success and prioritize their tasks. For the most success, make targets simple, achievable, and flexible. Managers can help them create an action plan they can follow to achieve these goals.

Additionally, giving regular feedback can encourage open communication. It can also increase workers’ confidence, motivation, and productivity through employee recognition. During these meetings, employers can provide constructive feedback. Team members can learn how they’re doing and ways they can improve.

Cut unnecessary meetings and tasks

Time—something employers can’t create more of. But they can cut unnecessary, time-consuming tasks. For in-person and remote workers, distractions can keep individuals from completing their work.

While meetings can be beneficial, too many can take time away from employees. It leaves them with fewer hours to do tasks. Limit the number of meetings and attendees to only the absolute necessities. They will have more time in their days, showing them their employer values their schedule.

On top of that, endless emails, chatty co-workers, and procrastination tactics can limit teams. Employers should create policies to help employees better manage interruptions.

Find growth opportunities for them outside of their roles

Employers can motivate employees by allowing them to try tasks outside their existing roles. Showing growth opportunities can encourage those who desire career development.

Delivering individuals options for career advancement can improve job satisfaction. It can also drive them to be more motivated and effective in their roles. Giving employees something to work toward can act as an incentive and reward for their efforts.

Don’t micromanage

While micromanaging may speed up employee work in the short term, it’s not a sustainable solution. Micromanagement in the workplace hinders employees by making them feel they’re not trusted. Employers can empower workers and boost employee morale by giving them space to finish tasks. It allows them to work faster and encourages creativity and innovation.

Being monitored can also damage workers’ mental health. It can lead them to overthink what they're doing and question whether they’re good at their jobs. This is detrimental to their self-esteem and increases employee turnover.

Offer wellness programs

How employees feel impacts their productivity. Per Harvard Business Review, people with strong mental health are 23% more productive. Additionally, physically healthy employees are 17% more productive. Employers need to offer holistic well-being benefits. Especially as health costs become more expensive and employees get closer to burnout.

These opportunities can help improve productivity and employee motivation:

• Health screenings
• Less expensive counseling
• Weight-loss plans

Use data to see what health needs your employees are concerned about

Data gives employers a clear picture of who their employees are and what they need to be happy and healthy. Companies can make informed benefits decisions with information about worker health and well-being.

Are there specific health concerns that distract employees from getting their work done? Is there a single risk that many workers are vulnerable to? What health problems are most common for employees, and what solution could help?

By using detailed insights, companies can better provide for their employees. This ensures each person has what they need to be successful.

Boost productivity with Workers’ Health 360® from Marsh McLennan Agency

Workers’ Health 360® gives your organization a holistic, easy-to-digest view of your employees. It uses data from various sources to help you better understand what your people need. We understand how vital employee health is to the success of your organization and are here to be your trusted advisors.

Workers’ Health 360® integrates data from:

• Medical plan data
• Pharmacy use
• Short- and long-term disability
• Workers’ compensation

Without a proper view of your team, it’s almost impossible to get meaningful results. Help your employees become more productive by understanding what causes the most issues. Remove those obstacles and barriers so they can reach their full potential.

Reach out to a Marsh McLennan Agency specialist today to learn how you can boost your employees' productivity.