Unhealthy staff cost employers a month of productivity

27/11/2019

A recent study from Britain’s Healthiest Workplace has shown that in 2019, unhealthy employees are costing the UK’s businesses an average of 35 days per year due to a loss in productivity – up from 20.3 days in 2014.

The study found a positive correlation between poor lifestyle choices and short-term productivity loss – with issues including poor diets and sleeping habits. According to the study, this then leads to an increase in time off sick and staff under-performing in their roles.

It was also found that there was a disproportionate impact on the younger generation when it came to ill-health. Those that fell into the age group of 18-20 were found to have poorer diets, walk and sleep less, drink more and show higher signs of depression than any other age group. They were closely followed by those aged 21-25. 

To combat this loss, the report goes on to suggest that businesses implement effective workplace interventions and motivate employees to use them. Having well being programs in-place is no longer a nice to have, but is becoming more and more crucial to retaining millennial staff.

How to boost productivity

Low productivity levels affect the business substantially and can jeopardise its sustainability and survival. In addition to employee health, they can be influenced by a mixture of working conditions and a series of factors that define the work culture.

For this reason, increasing productivity in the workplace is a constant struggle for business owners, with many trying innovative and quirky techniques to give their employees the extra few per cent that’s required.

Here, we’ve pulled together five top tips to help you get on the right track:

1. Create an attractive, convenient workspace

Companies such as Facebook and Google were the forerunners of promoting the advantages of an open office plan. Plenty of open space and useful, up-to-date technology are believed to support collaboration and creativity. Employers can create a certain vibe in their office to encourage all kinds of interaction. Make your working environment a happy one and help your employees to enjoy coming into work each day.

2. Recognise a job well done

Reward hard work put in by employees and try to find innovative ways of encouraging them. Nothing inspires an employee more than a big thank you from the boss; it helps to feel like the work completed is valuable to the company and hopefully they will strive to get the same results.

3. Get to know your colleagues

Any employee likes to feel that they can approach management if needs be. It shows that they are being recognised and most importantly, listened too. Take the time to develop relationships with your employees; a happy working environment with good communication more often than not increases productivity.

4. Support your staff in training

Employees are always pleased when they can enhance skills and are given additional learning opportunities by the employer. Invest in them; send them to courses that will help them improve their skills and increase their confidence.

5. Set realistic goals

Reaching a target is a good feeling; the more goals your staff achieve the more productive they’ll feel. Follow up each target or milestone and give motivation where motivation’s due. Strive to keep the employee on track, without burning them out.

Do you have any schemes in place in the workplace that have an impact on productivity? Please tell us below.