Productivity Awareness Week |11 February 2014

Issues affecting productivity

A sign that there may be a problem within your organisation is a fall in productivity.  In such a situation, it is essential to identify the problems that are having a negative effect on productivity. In most instances, the most common causes are the ones highlighted below.

Staff morale

It is important to identify the source for the low staff morale and come up with solutions to address it. Getting staff involved in finding a remedy can help to boost staff morale as well as increase productivity.

Staff comfort

Uncomfortable equipment, such as chairs and desks, will tend to make staff less productive. It is good to get staff feedback before making any changes since in most cases they will be the ones working with the new equipment.

Tools and equipment

When new software or tools are introduced but staff are not trained on how to use them, productivity will be affected. Similarly, if the existing tools are outdated or old, they will tend to break down frequently and this will help to reduce productivity. It is advisable to carry out yearly evaluations/ inventories to all tools and equipment in order to assess whether an upgrade is required and to train staff members accordingly.

Poor management

Restrictive, controlling and outdated management styles that do not allow for staff feedback or an open door policy tend to have a negative effect on productivity. Similarly when employers are frequently unavailable, staff members will be left with no one to turn to for guidance.

Job uncertainty

Proper schemes and cadres should be introduced and explained to staff so that they are aware of what their roles are within the organisation.

Personal issues

Personal issues such as financial worries, marital problems or a new baby can create a distraction for employees. As a result their attention is divided and they do not perform to their full ability. These workers should be advised to meet with the human resource manager or welfare officer within the organisation.

Illness

Workers suffering from a chronic illness are often absent from work. This in turn can affect their productivity. To address this, organisations can introduce health care covers, fitness classes or exercise clubs to help to promote the health of their employees.