How to Encourage Employee Productivity

January 23, 2024
•
5 min read

In the workplace, productivity is a metric that quantifies how well resources are being used to create value. True productivity entails more than just finishing a large number of tasks or working longer hours. It’s all about making the most of the time you have by setting specific and attainable goals, prioritizing tasks, and employing effective time management techniques.

Managers can encourage employee productivity and help remove barriers to successful time management by eliminating certain behaviors and deploying more effective tactics.

Manager Behavior to Eliminate

  • Expecting immediate responses to emails.
  • Asking for status updates too frequently.
  • Planning meetings without considering employee availability or respecting schedule boundaries.
  • Holding meetings without agendas.

Manager Behavior to Start

  • Encouraging employees to raise reasonable concerns about workplace productivity problems. Foster what psychologists call “psychological safety,” or the sense of security that comes from knowing there’s no punishment for raising reasonable concerns. Only when people feel safe discussing their workplace problems that get in the way of their own productivity will you be able to find solutions to fix them.
  • Eliminating distractions. Ask employees for feedback on the most significant work distractions they encounter each day and create a plan to eliminate as many of the distractions as is feasible.
  • Schedule-syncing with direct reports. Schedule-syncing helps managers gain better insight into how people spend their time, which can be achieved in several ways. One option is to ask employees to share a timeboxed calendar of what they plan to do and when — for example, when they like to answer emails and messages, do focused work, or be available for calls and meetings. This gives you visibility into how they plan their day so you can avoid interruptions during their focused work or off hours or suggest reprioritization if necessary. You can also share your calendar so employees know when they can (or can’t) interrupt you.  Another schedule-syncing tactic is to have your team designate specific distraction-free periods each day — no messages, no calls, no emails, no meetings, and no quick in-person check-ins. For anyone. Using schedule-syncing tactics will help you gain better insight into how employees spend their time without micromanaging them.
  • Creating agendas for every necessary meeting. Too often, people schedule a meeting to avoid having to put in the effort of solving a problem themselves. Collaboration can be a powerful problem-solving tool, but people shouldn’t use meetings as a distraction from the hard work of thinking. Requiring an agenda keeps everyone on track and cuts down on unnecessary meetings by adding a bit of effort on the part of the organizer before calling one.
  • Setting an example by creating your own boundaries. Make time for focused work yourself. Let people know when you’re available, and don’t interrupt others during their focused work or off-hours.

Once behaviors are modified and more action is being taken to encourage productivity, managers should see positive change within their teams. The talented HR consultants at Next Level Benefits have years of experience helping companies get the best out of their teams. Reach out to us today to see how we can help you.

Previous Post
Next Post
Nothing to see here. Head back to our Blog.
Nothing to see here. Head back to our Blog.

How to Bring Your Boundaries to Work for Better Mental Health

Navigating Financial Wellness: Key Benefits for Employee Satisfaction

The Importance of Employee Communications During Benefits Open Enrollment

Thinking Beyond Full-Time Labor: Will We All Be Free Agents Someday?

Upskilling and Cross-Training for the Future of Work

How to Budget for HR Consulting Services

What is Purpose-Driven Work?

What Benefits Do Millennials and Gen Z Care About?

How to Get That HR Project Off the Ground

Exploring the Latest Trends in Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing

Next Level Knowledge: Top HR Projects 2023

Leadership Trends in 2024: A Glimpse into the Future of Effective Leadership

Making Every Day Giving Tuesday

What Does an Independent HR Consultant Do?

Next Level Knowledge: Top HR Trends for 2024

The Power of Pay Equity: Fostering Fairness and Success in the Workplace

Next Level Knowledge: Human Resource Professionals Day

Creating a Sustainable HR Strategy for 2024

Suicide and HR Risks: Navigating the Complex Landscape

Prioritizing Women's Health in the Workplace

Next Level Knowledge: AI in the Workplace

Understanding Digital Nomad Employees

The Importance of Conducting a Skills Gap Analysis

Next Level Knowledge: Supporting Caregivers in the Workplace

Employers Who Support Employee Self-Care Are Winning

Maximizing Your 2024 HR Budget: Unlocking Value and Strategic Success

How Shorter Workweeks Could Benefit your Business

Work-Life Integration: Achieving Balance and Thriving Together

Juneteenth as a Recognized Holiday: Companies Leading the Way

Next Level Knowledge: Paid Time Off

How Does DEIB Show Up in the Workplace?

Next Level Knowledge: Mental Health Awareness

A New Framework for Mental Health & Well-Being in the Workplace

Next Level Knowledge: Project Roundup

How Employers Can Support Volunteerism at Work

What's the One Thing Employees Want?

Next Level Knowledge: Pets in the Workplace

Next Level Knowledge: Entrepreneurship

Next Level Knowledge: Paid Holidays

Top HR Trends for 2023

How Employers can Show Generosity on Giving Tuesday (and Beyond!)

HR Consultants Play Many Roles and Make a Big Impact

What Happens to the Job Market During a Recession?

How Inflation Affects the Labor Market

How The Gig Economy Is Impacting Employers

Strong, Transparent Communication is the Only Rational Anecdote to Fear

Exploring Current HR Trends

Making Sense Of The Covid-19 Vaccine Mandates

Next Level Benefits Featured on the Winning Teams Podcast with Jordan Smith

Mind The Innovation Podcast: Transparency in Leadership

Next Level Benefits Featured on The Business of Business Podcast

Lauren Winans joins the Future of Field Service Podcast to Discuss Creating a Compelling Employee Value Proposition

The Confident Retirement Podcast Welcomes Lauren Winans and Next Level Benefits

Insurance Town Welcomes.....Lauren Winans of Next Level Benefits

Lauren Winans and Next Level Benefits Aim to Create More "Best Places to Work"

How the Pandemic Has Expanded the Role of HR

10 Ways to Incorporate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging into Employee Compensation and Benefits

How Employers Can Support Employees with Reproductive Care Services

How to Encourage Employee Productivity

10 Ways to Enhance DEIB in Compensation and Benefits

Boosting Motivation, Productivity, and Employee Morale in the Workplace

Our Partnerships with HR Experts

Digital Health and Wellness Startups: What Does It Really Mean to Sell to the Employer Market?

Get Our Newsletter

If you enjoyed reading this blog post, sign up for our newsletter to receive more valuable insights directly to your inbox. Enter your email address in the field below!

By clicking the Sign Up button you're accepting our Terms of Service.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
“Our dedicated HR expert is one of the best that I have had the pleasure of working with. Her professionalism and depth of experience are exceptional.”

Professional Title

Company Name or Author

Discover the Benefits of HR Consulting

Turn our expert HR advice into action. Set up a quick 15-minute call today.