Effective Ways to Increase Employee Productivity in the Workplace

Managers often feel pressure from company leadership to find new ways to increase employee productivity. As we all know, productivity is important — but do most leaders actually understand it? 

The old way of “squeezing more productivity” out of employees is about working longer hours and assigning more work. Recently, the age-old question of how to get my employees to be more productive has a new solution: keep your employees happy.

But what exactly makes employees happy and productive? At Hubstaff, we spend a lot of time studying and thinking about productivity, so we have a good idea of where to start. 

Follow along with us as we explain why employee productivity matters, how to improve it, and how to avoid common productivity pitfalls. Let’s get delve in. 

Importance of employee productivity

According to a study by Slack, around 7 in 10 business leaders are pressured by executives to increase employee productivity. The good news is that, if done correctly, increasing employee productivity can be a win-win. 

First, let’s look at some statistics on workplace productivity:

• Companies with the highest employee engagement rates are 21% more profitable and 17% more productive.
• A University of California, Irvine study found that employees are interrupted every three minutes and five seconds.
• Research by Voucher Cloud found that the average office worker is only productive for two hours and 23 minutes daily. 
• Disengaged employees cost the U.S. economy $450-550 billion annually. 

(Source: McKinsey)

Increasing productivity is crucial, but you already knew that when you started researching ways to increase it, right? So, let’s get to the good part. 

Key strategies to increase employee productivity

The line between our work and personal lives is becoming increasingly blurred. With constant access to work emails and Slack messages, it often feels like we’re permanently on the clock.

While this might sound like a manager’s dream, burnout and overworking result in less productivity, not more. These days, the top ways to increase employee productivity are all about empowering employees.  

Boosting employee productivity hinges on enhancing employee engagement and fostering an environment where employees feel motivated, engaged, and equipped to perform at their best. 

Now, let’s look at some top strategies for improving employee productivity. 

Enable flexible work

We’ve been shouting from our soapbox about this for over a decade now, but it turns out flexible work does increase employee productivity. Hubstaff data has shown that remote work results in more focus time, which then leads to better results. Here’s a snippet of that research report:

• Remote employees spend more time each day on focused tasks
• Annually, remote work protects an estimated 62 hours’ worth of work that in-office teams lose due to daily interruptions

So, if you’re eager to increase your team’s productivity, one of the most straightforward steps you can take is to open your mind to work-from-home or hybrid work models. Encourage employees to work remotely when possible, and you will likely see an increase in focus time and productivity.

Set clear goals and expectations

Setting clear goals and expectations is critical to boosting employee productivity. When everyone knows what they’re working towards and what’s expected of them, staying focused and motivated is much easier. Here are some tips: 

• Set SMART goals. Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This clarity helps everyone understand what needs to be done and also serves as a way to measure success.
  
• Provide clear expectations. When employees know what’s expected of them, it reduces confusion and ensures everyone is on the same page. This can lead to more efficient work and fewer mistakes.
  
• Regular check-ins. Frequent updates and feedback help keep goals on track and allow for any necessary adjustments. With the right tools, even remote teams can aspire to regular check-ins. 
  
• Celebrate achievements. Recognizing and celebrating when goals are met can boost morale and motivate employees to maintain peak productivity.

By setting clear, well-defined goals and expectations, you create a roadmap for success that can significantly enhance your team’s productivity.

Invest in employee training and development

Investing in training and development is crucial for boosting employee productivity. When employees feel valued and equipped with the right skills, they perform better and contribute more effectively to the organization. Here are some easy steps to take:

• Identify skill gaps. Regularly assess where employees might need additional training to ensure they have the skills necessary to succeed.
  
• Encourage professional development. Support employees in pursuing certifications or courses that enhance their career growth.
  
• Mentorship programs. Pairing less experienced employees with seasoned mentors can provide valuable guidance and support.

By investing in your employees’ growth, you enhance their capabilities and can also boost their engagement and loyalty to the company.

Use technology

At Hubstaff, we’re a bit obsessive when it comes to our internal toolkit. 

Leveraging the right technology and tools can boost employee productivity by smoothing out workflows and clarifying communication. By incorporating tech solutions into daily routines, everyone can focus more on their actual tasks and less on dealing with logistical headaches. This then leads to a more productive and streamlined work environment.

Now, let’s discuss tools to help your team be more productive. 

Best tools to measure and increase employee productivity 

If you’re like us, you’re obsessed with finding tools that can help make your job easier. And nothing boosts productivity like improving your work toolkit. 

Here are a few tools we use every day to boost employee productivity.  

• Hubstaff: A time tracking and workforce analytics tool designed to help teams track work hours and assess productivity. With time tracking, activity levels, detailed reports, and automated timesheets, managers can identify team strengths and workflow inefficiencies. By offering advanced insights and integrating with other productivity tools, Hubstaff ensures teams remain organized and meet deadlines effectively.

• Trello: A visual project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to help teams organize tasks and projects. It’s highly customizable and easy to use, making it ideal for tracking project progress and ensuring healthy collaboration.
  
• Slack: A messaging platform designed for teams. Create channels for different topics, send direct messages, and then integrate with other productivity tools for seamless communication and collaboration across your organization — and even with external clients. 
  
• Loom: A video messaging tool lets users record and share brief video messages. It’s ideal for giving feedback, providing instructions, or sharing updates without scheduling an in-person meeting.

Embracing these technologies fosters a productive work environment and also ensures that teams are well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern work dynamics. What challenges, you say? Keep reading for some common productivity challenges and easy solutions. 

Addressing common productivity challenges

Boosting productivity can often feel like an uphill battle, but recognizing and tackling common challenges can make a difference. Let’s dive into some typical productivity roadblocks and explore how to overcome them effectively.

Distractions: From office chatter to endless phone notifications, distractions can kill your focus and productivity.

• Solution: Create a designated work space, set your devices to Do Not Disturb, and set boundaries for focused work times. Consider remote or hybrid working environments, as they are less prone to distractions. 

Poor time management: Without good time management, tasks can pile up and leave you feeling overwhelmed and rushed.

• Solution: Check out our guide for numerous time management tips and strategies. We have tried dozens of productivity methods and included the best ones to help you find a solution that works best for you. 

Overwhelming workload: Taking on too much work can lead to burnout and diminish the quality of your output.

• Solution: Find a tool like Hubstaff Insights that can help you track your employees’ workloads and identify who is overworked and underutilized. 

Ineffective communication: Miscommunication can cause errors, lead to redundant work, and waste precious time.

• Solution: Create a clear communication manifesto that explains to your team what you expect in terms of internal communication. Check out our free communication manifesto to get started
  

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Communicate like a pro.

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Remember, improving productivity isn’t just about working harder; it’s about working smarter. By fostering a supportive and well-equipped workspace, managers can enhance employee performance, increase workplace productivity, and contribute to the organization’s overall success.

Frequently asked questions 

How can I improve my productivity at work?

To improve productivity at work, prioritize tasks, eliminate distractions, take regular breaks, and set specific goals. Utilize productivity tools and techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to stay focused and manage time effectively.

How can I measure employee productivity?

Using tools like Hubstaff for time tracking, activity monitoring, and establishing a healthy work-life balance can be a good start. Consider utilizing productivity formulas, like the ratio of output to input, which can help measure efficiency and guide improvements.

What are the best strategies to improve productivity?

• The Pomodoro Technique improves productivity by breaking work into 25-minute intervals followed by 5-minute breaks. 
• The Eisenhower Matrix helps you prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance so you can focus on what truly matters. 
• The Pickle Jar Theory prioritizes high-priority tasks first, followed by medium and low-priority tasks, to ensure that essential work gets done.
• The Flowtime Technique allows for flexible work periods based on how long you can maintain focus before rewarding yourself with a break.

How can managers improve employee productivity?

Managers can improve employee productivity by setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, fostering open communication, and offering opportunities for professional development. Implementing the right productivity tools and creating a supportive work environment is vital.

Final words 

Increasing employee productivity isn’t about squeezing more work out of people; it’s about creating an environment where they can thrive and perform at their best. Employee morale and job satisfaction are the main drivers of productivity, so keeping employees motivated and happy is the key. 

Managers can foster a productive and engaged workforce by setting clear goals, investing in training and development, improving the workplace environment, and embracing flexible work arrangements. 

Remember, happy employees are productive employees! With the right strategies, you can create a win-win situation for everyone.