There are some interesting stats about office productivity that might surprise many employers. It turns out that the place where everyone works is far removed from the productive environment many might think.
A report from last year by FlexJobs reveals some worrying facts that any office boss needs to be aware of. First of all, when people want to complete a major job, three-quarters of them prefer to avoid the office during regular hours. Half of all workers feel they are more productive at home, and more than one in ten even prefer working in a coffee shop.
The big question is, what is going on in the modern workplace that makes people feel they are more productive working in a Starbucks? We thought we would take a closer look at some of the reasons why the modern office is becoming such a productivity drain.
creditUncomfortable offices
First of all, almost seven out of ten people feel their office is just plain uncomfortable. For employers, it’s a sign that, perhaps, they shouldn’t have bought all that cheap office furniture just to save a few cents. According to wisdomandhealth.com, cheap, uncomfortable chairs not only affect productivity. They also affect people’s health. Try to invest a little more in ergonomic furniture and people will work harder and for longer. You will also find that you reduce the number of workers reporting repetitive strain injury or complaints of posture problems.
Too many distractions
Modern offices can be very distracting for workers. It might be you have a problem with open plan offices or micromanaging team leaders. It’s best to plan your room with a range of working environments which suit everyone. Sometimes, people like to retreat to a quiet corner so they can get work finished. Even segregated desk spaces from the likes of arnoldsofficefurniture.com might help. Noise is always an issue, of course, but with cubicles, at least employees can have a complete visual focus on the task at hand.
Politics
Office politics always plays its part in causing productivity issues. But the uncomfortable truth is that, in the main, it’s a problem that will always be there. One solution for office managers is to embrace remote working. It’s far easier to avoid the political and personal arguments that often occur in the workplace – and always will.
Meetings
Meetings are an enormous productivity drain. While important, far too many companies waste the time of managers and workers to a point where hours are lost each day. If you find that your meetings are often going off track and ending in enormous conversations, it’s time to make a change. Good meeting practice involves sticking to a schedule and running through everything in an efficient way. There are apps out there that can help, so take a look around and see what you can find.
As you can see, the office is the cause of many different productivity issues. Remote working might help in some cases, and an overhaul of your office will certainly be a step in the right direction.
Do you have any office woes? Let us know about them and get involved in the conversation below!
