The Top Two Things that Ruin Productivity at Work

As an employer, it’s essential to have an environment that allows all staff to have high levels of
productivity at work. Of course, time is money, especially when your staff members have limited work hours in the day and you are paying them for each minute they are there. As a boss, it’s important to know not only what factors motivate your staff, but what things may ruin their productivity during work hours.



-Internet Surfing: This is said to be one of the biggest time suckers in the workplace. Office workers can be especially tempted to surf the net instead of doing their paid work when they have free and unlimited access to the online environment. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter continue to grow and expand, placing strain on employer and employee relations. While some people claim that blocking internet access all together is the answer, this may also cause staff to feel as though they are not trusted within the workplace. The answer may be to limit some sites, especially on work stations, and provide separate computer terminals that can be used during breaks. This allows staff members free access to their online interests during the day, but not when they should be working.



-Tiredness is a Productivity Killer: There would hardly be a person in the workforce who hasn’t gone to work tired. Unfortunately with today’s fast-paced society there is so much to juggle that some people simply have taken on so many responsibilities and activities that exhaustion sets in. As an employer this is not the end of the world, but it pays to be mindful of ways to re-energize staff. Allowing regular breaks, supplying healthy snacks for free and even providing a rest area for lunch breaks are tactics that have been implemented by many companies.



Knowing and understanding staff and interacting openly is the best way to track motivation and productivity levels within the team. Take note of issues that may apply at different times, days or months of the year and don’t be afraid to work directly with staff members to find solutions.