Human resources departments are essential to any business, large or small. In addition to many other areas of expertise, it is up to HR to ensure that employees are as happy and productive as possible. But how can HR departments better support employee productivity? Let’s take a look.
- Flexible Working
Especially in such uncertain times, flexible working practices are a great way to support employees. Flexible working means that employees can work from home or the office, and also allows people to be flexible around their working hours, too. This is particularly important for employees who are caregivers to children or relatives, as it allows them to have a better work-life balance.
- Unified Communications
We have all been there – no matter how hard you look for previous correspondence or the information you need, it seems impossible to find. However, unified communications combine all modes and methods of communication into one, streamlined, easy-to-use platform. This eliminates the need to waste time searching for the things you need across multiple channels, improving employee productivity and time efficiency in the workplace. You can find out more about unified communications here.
- Regular Training
The majority of employees believe that training and development is essential to helping them be more productive and do their job more efficiently. In fact, one survey found that a huge 86% of employees place a great deal of importance on job training. Even more enlightening, 74% of employees also said that job training was so important to their performance that they would be willing to do it outside of working hours.
- Comfort Over Style
Though it can be tempting to get the most attractive office furniture, make sure that all chairs are suitable for regular working. An ergonomic chair and desk set up can reduce the risk of back pain, eye strain, and more, ensuring that all employees can work to the best of their ability, for as long as they need.
- Clear Communication
Operate an open door policy, where employees can come to you for any advice or to raise any concerns they might have. You might also have regular meetings or send out emails to get feedback from your employees, so that you can understand exactly what it is that they need to be their most productive.
- Lighting, Temperature, and Sound
Natural lighting is always best, but if this is not always possible, make sure you have a good mix of ambient and focus lighting. In addition to lighting, ensure that the office is of the optimum temperature – not too hot, not too cold. Finally, encourage there to be a buzz about the office, but put the necessary measures in place to ensure that there is a low level of background noise.
- Provide the Right Equipment
Not everyone can afford to buy the necessary equipment they need to work properly – whether they work from home or the office. To ensure that everyone can work productively, and to the same high standard you have set, provide all your employees with the right technology and equipment that they need to carry out their job.
As you can see, there are numerous ways that HR departments can assist employees as they strive to work to their full potential. With these ideas in mind, you are sure to improve overall productivity in your workplace.