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How to increase productivity in the workplace

Discover essential strategies to boost workplace productivity and foster a positive, efficient environment for your workforce.

An image showing a group of people working at their desks in an office.

In an ever-changing and dynamic landscape, maintain high levels of workplace productivity is a key focus for employers across a range of industries in the UK. When employees are productive, an organisation’s overall performance and efficiency are more likely to improve.

However, many employers still struggle to maintain the levels of productivity they need to be successful. Doing so requires implementing strategies that set employees up for success and allow them to bring their best selves to work.

In this article, we’re going to be looking at what productivity is in the workplace, why it matters, and what you can do to increase productivity at work.

What is workplace productivity

Before we delve into the specifics of how to improve productivity in the workplace, first it’s important to establish what we mean by workplace productivity. This refers to the efficiency with which tasks are completed at work, encompassing the output generated per unit of input, which might include, for example:

  • Time
  • Resources
  • Effort

Why productivity matters in the workplace

A productive workplace ensures that resources are utilised efficiently, allowing organisations to deliver more value to users and customers without incurring additional expenses. Over a longer period, this can result in that type of growth that makes it possible to:

  1. Expand operations
  2. Enter new markets
  3. Drive innovation

Beyond financial performance, productivity can also impact both employee engagement and staff turnover, with a productive environment contributing to a motivated and satisfied workforce.

The benefits of improved productivity

Improving productivity in the workplace can result in several desirable outcomes for employers. The most significant of these include:

  1. Increased profitability and revenue growth: As highlighted above, enhanced productivity can directly impact revenue and profitability, enabling organisations to maximise output while minimising waste.
  2. High employee morale and job satisfaction: When employees can see the tangible results of their effort and feel their work is having an impact, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged, contributing to a positive working environment that enhances satisfaction and reduces turnover.
  3. Enhanced service delivery: Improved productivity often results in enhanced quality of work with fewer errors and higher attention to detail. This improvement in quality not only helps satisfy customers but helps build a strong reputation.
  4. Greater ability to attract and retain talent: High-performing jobseekers are drawn to organisations known for efficiency and innovation. A productive workplace can therefore attract ambitious candidates and help to retain top talent by providing a fulfilling and engaging employee experience.

Measuring workplace productivity

Measuring workplace productivity is crucial for understanding and enhancing efficiency. To achieve this, organisations can utilise key performance indicators (KPIs) that provide actionable insights. Let’s explore some examples:

  • Output per Hour: This measures the amount of work produced within a specific amount of time and is particularly useful in manufacturing and other production-oriented industries.
  • Revenue per Employee: This KPI assess how much revenue an employee generates, providing insights into the efficiency and profitability of the workforce.
  • Task Completion Rate: Employers can use this KPI to measure the percentage of tasks completed in a given period, thereby helping to identify any bottlenecks and areas in need of improvement.
  • Employee Utilisation Rate: Tracking the proportion of employee time spent on productive versus non-productive activities helps to highlight efficiency and potential instances of waste.

By implementing these and other relevant KPIs, alongside qualitative measures like employee satisfaction and client feedback, organisations can gain a comprehensive understanding of their productivity levels. This enables them to identify areas for improvement, make informed decisions and enhance efficiencies.

    Tips to increase productivity in the workplace

    Now we’ve covered what workplace productivity is and why it’s crucial to organisational success, let’s examine the steps you can take to improve the productivity of your workforce.

    1. Streamline the recruitment process

    Hiring the right talent is fundamental to creating a productive workforce. Employees who possess the necessary skills and experience are more likely to perform, integrate seamlessly and contribute to long term organisational goals.

    A streamlined recruitment process helps to ensure that the best candidates are identified and onboarded. To get started, employers can:

    • Provide precise and detailed job descriptions that attract suitable candidates, clearly outlining the required skills, qualifications and responsibilities.
    • Develop a standardised interview process, for example a competency-based approach, with consistent questions that ensures fair assessments of candidates and makes it easier to compare their fit for the role.
    • Implement skills assessment and practical tests relevant to open roles to better understand candidate’s abilities.
    • Encourage current employees to refer potential candidates, as these can often result in high-quality hires who are a good cultural fit having come with a recommendation from trusted team members.

      2. Invest in employee onboarding

      Onboarding is crucial for integrating new hires and setting them up for success, helping new employees feel welcome and quickly become part of the team. Done well, it equips employees with the tools, knowledge and confidence they need to hit the ground running.

      Research shows that effective onboarding can increase productivity among new hires by 62%, underscoring the importance of this process for employers looking to boost productivity. There are various strategies employers can utilise to provide a smooth employee onboarding process, such as:

      • Mentorship programmes
      • Structured training programmes
      • Orientation sessions
      • Regular check-ins
      • Setting clear goals and expectations

      3. Recognise and reward employees

      Recognition and rewards are fundamental components of a productive workplace. When employees feel valued and acknowledged for their efforts, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work.

      As a result, employers can utilise reward packages to ensure employees feel appreciated for their efforts. These can include:

      • Bonuses
      • Gift cards
      • Additional annual leave

      Regular feedback also plays a crucial role in keeping staff motivated. According to research, employees are 3.6 times more likely to be motivated and productive at work when they receive regular feedback. To benefit from the positive impact feedback can have, employers can:

      • Schedule consistent meetings to discuss performance, sets goals and offer support
      • Ensure feedback is clear and actionable
      • Highlight and celebrate achievements and milestones

      4. Provide continuous learning and development opportunities

      Continuous training and professional development are essential to maintaining a skilled, motivated and productive workforce. Ongoing learning ensures that employees stay up to date with industry trends, enhances their skills and prepares them for future challenges.

      Research also indicates that employers who focus on developing employee’s strengths see performance improvements between 8% and 18%, highlighting the tangible benefits of prioritising employee development.

      To foster a culture of continuous learning and development, employers can:

      • Organise regular workshops and seminars on relevant topics to provide employees with hands-on learning experiences.
      • Develop comprehensive programmes that include mentorship, coaching, and clear career progression pathways to help employees achieve their career goals.
      • Promote a culture of knowledge sharing through internal presentations, lunch-and-learn sessions, and team meetings.
      • Work with employees to create personalised development plans that align with their career aspirations and the organisation’s goals and succession planning objectives, and regularly review these plans to ensure they remain relevant and achievable.

      5. Focus on employee wellbeing

      Employee wellbeing, including physical and mental health, is critical to building a supportive and productive workplace, with research showing that happy workers are 13% more productive.

      By prioritising employee wellbeing through supportive initiatives, employers can cultivate loyalty and enhance productivity across their workforce, thereby ensuring sustained success and a positive workplace culture. This principle is exemplified in the case of working parents.

      Many working parents struggle with work life balance, with 72% taking unpaid leave to manage childcare responsibilities at some stage. As a result, providing comprehensive support to this group can help employers foster loyalty and engagement in the workplace:

      • A third of parents, especially mothers (40%), express a willingness to work additional hours if childcare options were more affordable.
      • 83% of HR leaders report enhanced productivity when the right support systems are in place for working parents.

        These statistics highlight the gains organisations can access by investing in support for working parents, including subsided childcare programmes and working from home arrangements. As a result, it’s clear that by addressing the specific wellbeing needs of employees, employers can improve productivity and build a more engaged and motivated workforce.

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