Productivity In The Workplace
Productivity is a science that’s been studied for sometime now. It’s the reason why many companies are making such a big deal about whether remote work should be discontinued or not. If employees are not working to their highest potential, then the idea goes that a company is missing out on loads of profits.
It can be a tricky topic though. Should employees be expected to use up every hour of their day to complete tasks or is some downtime okay? And if downtime is okay, about how much of it should be allowed? It’s a tough call, especially since in this day and age with technology taking over the workplace more, it is obviously assumed that many workers have more than enough time on their hands.
Balance is key. Trying to dedicate your whole work day to checking off your to-do list can lead to low morale and burnout. Yet taking the too much time off can mean that deadlines are not met, projects are never completed, and companies are throwing away millions of dollars for work that’s ignored.
It’s safe to assume that company culture plays a large role in productivity. A fast-paced office environment would easily identify those who are slacking off too often. While some free time is welcome, you wouldn’t want to spend your time merely watching your computer screen or on social media all day. A slow paced environment, especially one where creativity is a key profit motivator, would mean that employees have more time to sit around and think, as opposed to perform.
The workforce shouldn’t be all about work though. It’s important to have time to mingle with coworkers and to have a decent amount of time allotted to company events. How is anyone expected to collaborate if they’re not comfortable with each other, or worse, unfamiliar with one another?
Using your time wisely in the workplace is a reflection of one’s level of responsibility and commitment. It’ll also make it easier for top managers to authorize remote work without reservation. It’s especially important to win the trust of colleagues if you’re planning to move up in the company.
So next time you show up at work and don’t feel like working, or maybe you’re just having a bad day, remember that there’s a lot at stake. Your reputation, for one. You don’t want to be perceived as an irresponsible smoocher. You also want to make sure that you’re not placed on the firing squad’s list. Take the time to plan out your work day and find that balance between downtime and productivity.
