As we polish off the last of the Wensleydale, spoon in our final mouthfuls of Bailey’s cheesecake, and wave goodbye to the Christmas season for another year, it is natural to feel a little down at the reality of going back to work.
January, the month of cold weather and dark mornings, coupled with the earthshattering truth of leaving our festive bubbles and returning to normality, may leave some employees feeling sad, anxious, and/ or unmotivated.
For employers, increasing employee productivity and happiness at this time of year can be incredibly challenging. However, achieving high productivity is especially important as it may result in increased profitability for the business, better employee retention, and a stronger company culture overall.
With Blue Monday on the horizon – 20 January 2025 – see below some tips for employers to support their employees, increase morale, and boost productivity in the workplace– together, we can beat the January Blues!
Top tips for employers to boost productivity in the workplace:
1. Give feedback
Providing regular feedback offers employees valuable insights into their performance, showcasing both their strengths and areas that require improvement. This clarity helps employees to understand expectations and make necessary adjustments, enhancing both hard and soft skills. Additionally, feedback sessions support learning and development and facilitate discussion in career planning, ensuring employees feel appreciated and motivated to perform at their best.
2. Don’t micromanage
Whilst micromanagement can boost productivity in the short term, overall, it is not a recommended management tool. Micromanagement can reduce creativity, diminish employee confidence, and, in extreme cases, increase employee turnover.
The best tool to fight micromanagement is trust. Wherever possible, encourage autonomy and trust your employees to complete their tasks to a high standard.
3. Cultivate a positive and supportive working environment
Fostering a positive work culture can boost motivation and job satisfaction, ultimately enhancing workplace productivity. This involves cultivating a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive environment which helps to create a sense of community and purpose. By creating a positive atmosphere, employers can inspire their employees to work harder, potentially achieving greater results for the business.
One method of cultivating a positive working environment and maintaining productivity throughout the day is to allow employees to take short breaks. Allowing and encouraging short breaks may help employees maintain their energy levels, refocus, and avoid burnout.
4. Allow flexible working where possible
Flexible working arrangements can help increase workplace productivity by allowing employees to work hours that complement their lifestyle. Flexible working arrangements encompass options like hybrid or remote work, flexible hours, job sharing, or working from alternative locations. These arrangements promote a better work-life balance for employees, enhancing productivity overall.
As of April 2024, employees are able to make statutory requests for permanent changes to their contracts from their first day of employment. Moreover, as set out in the 2024 Employment Rights Bill, employers can only reject flexible working requests where it is reasonable to do so.
To promote productivity, employers should aspire to approve flexible working requests wherever possible. Of course, the law recognises that it is not always possible or practicable for an employer to approve requests for flexible working. In this circumstance, employers should give as much detail as possible regarding the reason for refusal, citing one of the eight grounds for refusal contained in section 80G(1)(b) of the Employment Rights Act 1996.
5. Provide training
When employees acquire new skills or enhance their existing ones, they become more proficient in their daily tasks, leading to increased productivity.
Employers should ensure they are providing regular training and development opportunities, not only to remain legislatively compliant, but also to support employees in their professional development. For instance, pinpoint skills gaps through ongoing feedback and one-on-one meetings, then establish a clear learning path to address those gaps.
6. Communicate effectively
Enhancing communication is an excellent strategy to boost productivity. Miscommunication often results in misunderstandings and conflicts. By improving communication, you can minimise these issues, streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and increase efficiency. Effective communication also fosters a positive and productive work environment where employees feel valued and heard.
7. Set clear objectives and expectations
Finally, it’s crucial to establish clear expectations for your employees. Identifying specific objectives and deadlines keeps employees focused and motivated. Moreover, it makes it far easier for employees to successfully prioritise and manage their own workload, whilst also aiding team leaders and senior managers to measure progress.
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By implementing these strategies now, employers have the opportunity to rid their employees of the January Blues and kickstart the new year productively and efficiently.
By embedding these practices permanently into their organisations, employers can showcase their commitment and dedication to employee wellbeing and progressive workplace practices. The effect of fostering a positive, supportive, and productive working environment could help to increase profitability, reduce workplace conflicts, ensure better employee retention, and, ultimately, produce a happier and more satisfied workforce.
This article is for information only and does not constitute legal/financial advice. Please contact us for advice tailored to your specific position. Some of the content presented on our website has been generated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). We ensure that all AI-generated content meets our high standards for accuracy and relevance.
