maintaining a productive workplace

McGraw-Hill/Irwin 2010 Modified by Jackie Kroening 2011

MAINTAINING A PRODUCTIVE WORKPLACE

Chapter 18

Parts taken from Human Relations 4ed Modified by Jackie Kroening 2011

A Productive Workplace

Productivity is the ratio of an organization’s inputs or its resources, to its outputs or the goods and services it produces.

It is essential to maintain high productivity in the workplace.

There are many ways to improve efficiency in productivity.


A Productive Workplace Steps to increase morale to boost

productivity: Understand the morale of the work environment. Let everyone know “what’s in it for them?” Get everyone in the organization involved in goal

setting, individually and collectively. Let employees know that the company is

dedicated to helping them succeed, and to be promoted.

Encourage communication between employees, among departments, and within teams.

Don’t relax on individual and group accountability.

** **


A Productive Workplace Other factors that improve morale:

The manner in which employees and managers are appraised.

Creative appraisal systems stimulate productivity by encouragement, two-way communication, and motivation.

An appraisal system should be S.M.A.R.T.S. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results Oriented, Time Bound, Stretchable)

“Stretch” the employee, giving him or her new goals, new horizons to grow into a new comfort zone.

* Morale is not static but its malleable.



Productivity and task maturity One way to encourage productivity is to

match an individual to the job that needs to be done.

Someone with task maturity has the skill set for the job at hand.

Task maturity does not refer to an employee’s age or seniority on the job.



Avoiding self-sabotage Self-sabotage means damaging one’s own

credibility or competence. There are many reasons people sabotage their

efforts. * Dan Neuharth found that procrastination is the

main reason. Procrastination is also a major source of stress. Hidden benefits of procrastination also exist. * Its NOT because of lack of feedback



Steps to stop procrastinating:1. Get going on the task.2. Make a plan.3. Reduce the task to smaller components.4. Think positive.5. Reward yourself along the way.6. Give yourself credit.


Time Management Time management means

making effective use of available time, and requires planning.

People often overload time or underutilize time.

Procrastination is one cause of underutilization.


Time Management

Time analysis tools help analyze use of time and become more efficient in time management.

Noticing a pattern where people waste time can help manage time and set priorities.

* Creating a to-do list and set priorities.


Behaviors that Reduce Workplace Productivity

Troubling personal situations arise for everyone.

Individuals who don’t handle these situations well can affect the overall well-being and productivity of their workplace.

Employees, managers, and entrepreneurs are all responsible for handling situations in their personal lives effectively.



Substance abuse (Alcohol and other drugs) One of the most common and expensive

employee problems that companies face. Abuse of alcohol and other drugs together cost the

American economy an estimated $276 billion per year in lost workdays and lowered productivity.

Physical and behavioral signs of alcohol abuse in the workplace.



Employee drug abuse and dependency What qualifies as drug abuse depends on

the user’s dependence on the drug and how the substance affects behavior.

Abuse is going on when drug use is frequent, compulsive, and intense.

Abuse includes withdrawal symptoms or increased tolerance.



Employee drug abuse and dependency (cont.): Dependence can be physiological or

psychological. Psychoactive drugs are categorized based

on their effect on the body and the central nervous system – depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, designer drugs.



Effects of substance abuse in the workplace: A very expensive employee problem. Costs are mainly associated with lost

productivity and health-care expenses. A substance-abusing employee may also

go into withdrawal at work, which can cause distress for everyone in the workplace.



Marital, family, and other personal problems Lead to excessive absenteeism, unusual

behavior, decline in the quality of work performance, trouble concentrating, and decline or change in appearance at workplace.

Divorce is one of the most common problems.

* Family violence is another problem.



Financial problems Employees under severe financial

pressure may experience difficulties such as low productivity and stress.

Financial problems also make employees susceptible to stealing from the company (time or resources).

Employee’s may also get involved in substance abuse or domestic violence.



Compulsive gambling * The inability to control one’s betting

habits. Some employees may get caught in

compulsive gambling leading to depression and relationship problems in their personal lives or at work.

It costs the economy in terms of lost productivity, criminal acts, lost jobs, bankruptcy, bailout costs, and even suicide.


Responses to Substance Abuse and Other Nonproductive Behaviors

A supervisor’s main responsibility is to make the employee understand that his/her job performance is not acceptable.

Supervisors should not try to counsel/advise employees themselves, but should refer them to: * The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Community counseling center Substance abuse professionals



EAPs can help with the following: Abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Mental health issues. Financial problems. Legal trouble. Poor physical health. Stress, depression, anxiety, and other

emotional issues. Family and marriage conflict. Other personal problems or concerns.



Workplace substance abuse policies Companies must determine their stand on

substance abuse with input from various staff.

Once the policy is developed, it must be clearly communicated to the entire staff.

Train supervisors to recognize symptoms of abuse and understand how it impairs performance.

Drug awareness education for employees. Counseling and referral component of

policies.



Employee drug testing The Drug-Free Work Place Act of 1988 states

that certain types of businesses must take action to make the workplace drug free.

These actions often include drug testing, which can prevent as well as detect substance abuse in the workplace.

While doing drug testing, companies must avoid lowering employee morale.



What else can be done for employees? Understand factors that create/maintain a

productive workplace. Learn methods of improving appraisal

systems and morale. Learn strategies to improve use of time. Recognize substance abuse and other

behaviors. Know what employers/employees can do to

help.


Strategies for Success

Warning signs of substance abuse:

1. Difficulty in recalling and following instructions.

2. Frequent tardiness or absence from work.3. Frequent disappearances from the job

location.4. Taking too many cigarette or restroom

breaks.5. Taking extended lunch and work breaks.6. Difficulty getting along with co-workers.


Strategies for Success

Warning signs of substance abuse (cont.):

7. Difficulty getting along with co-workers.8. Increased mistakes on the job.9. Repeated accidents off the job that affect job

performance.10. Dramatic changes in personality or work

performance during the day, especially after taking a break.

maintaining a productive workplace

Documents

jackie kroening

human relations

use of time

time bound

time managementtime

productive workplacesteps

productive workplace

productive workplace