Stress is an inevitable part of work, but there are ways your employees can charge into challenges head-on with a bit of encouragement from their managers. Being able to continue working from 2019 to 2021 is a remarkable feat that merits applause. It was not only your business that had to undergo an arduous change.
Your employees also had to shift from a traditional workplace to a remote one and eventually go back to the conventional work setting but with masks on and following public health protocols at all times.
It indeed has been a demanding year for businesses, but without your employees, getting here is undoubtedly impossible. To encourage your staff further and give them the rewards they deserve for having worked tirelessly despite the circumstances, here are a few things you can do.
Programs and Software To Streamline Processes
Traditional processes have no place in the new normal work setting. After months of economic standstill, there’s no time for dilly-dallying since there’s much catching up to do. Industries are busy looking for ways to optimize operations after the massive income losses of 2020. The best thing you can do for your personnel and venture is to modernize your processes.
With new software and programs, your employees can easily accomplish basic tasks and streamline procedures to expedite the different parts of your business. Getting new equipment, such as computers and other office tools, is also essential in your quest to enhance your processes.
Encourage Them With Benefits
Having a reward system in the office might sound like bribing your employees and inciting unnecessary competition. However, it is one of the best ways you can hone the skills of your staff and coax them to push their limits.
Benefits are what full-time employees enjoy; for instance, once they have completed their probationary period, they can finally get paid personal time offs and have their overtime hours reflected in their payrolls. As a way to encourage your team, you can add more to the roster by giving raises, bonuses, and gift checks for the outstanding members of your staff and your employee of the month.
A Comfortable Workspace Bolsters Employee Productivity
Having to wear a mask and observe distancing within the office makes trying to have a typical day as with pre-covid times challenging. Moreover, if your workplace is not up to today’s standards, accomplishing tasks can be more laborious for your team. To make your staff stay comfortable as they tackle daily tasks, you need to upgrade your premises.
For example, when updating your home, you might get soft sofas where you can rest or install custom solar shades to make your house’s interiors cooler, all so you and your loved ones can have a relaxing time. It’s the same with your office space. You can make your employees comfortable by positioning ergonomic desks and chairs that will not give them muscle aches even after working for extended periods. Having a well-stocked pantry with snacks, free-flowing coffee, and other drinks will allow them to relax more during their break time.
Consider Flextime or a 4-day Work Week
Most employees think the longer their staff render on a shift, the more tasks they can accomplish. At times, it’s true, and extending work hours to overtime is essential to finish urgent matters. Still, repeatedly subjecting your team to daily overtime and even asking them to come in at the weekends will only lead to burnout.
To bolster productivity, you must provide a better work-life balance, which you can do by implementing a four-day workweek. By giving your employees three days a week to rest and enjoy activities they find relaxing, they can come back to work replenished and ready to take on tasks, so you don’t have to worry about a decrease in their productivity.
Find Ways to Further Their Careers
There are various reasons why your employees choose to work with you. It can be because of the benefits you offer, the kind of workplace you have, or the enticing four-day workweek. Those factors can make professionals want to forge a career with your business, but it might also be because they see how they can flourish by working with you.
Your staff represents your company, so it’s your onus to help them be the best they can by giving them proper training. It’s not new for companies to require their employees to attend meetings or seminars and even pursue more education. Even if you’re still in a remote work setup, you can give your team chances to hone their skills through webinars and online courses.
Your employees play a significant role in keeping your company afloat during trying times like this, and it’s only fitting that you give them the best working conditions. With upgrades in your amenities and internal processes, you can create a conducive working environment that will naturally motivate your employees.