As an employer are you experiencing working from home productivity paranoia?
Many employers are becoming increasingly concerned that employees don’t have the same productivity levels when working from home compared to when in the office. So how can employers minimise working-from-home productivity paranoia?
Microsoft released a survey recently stating that 80% of managers disagree that employees work at the same efficiency when in the office, compared to 87% of employees feeling they work at the same level if not more efficiently from home.
What is working from home productivity paranoia?
Working from home productivity paranoia stemmed from employers focusing on employees’ activity and utilising tracking technology. If monitoring employees’ activity is not explained correctly it can be seen to have a ‘big brother’ effect, especially when employers/managers highlight, or query time spent on a particular task. Employees feel they are being undermined and untrustworthy when tracking technology is used in this manner, leading to lower motivation which could be the reason for decreased productivity rather than hybrid or remote working.
If this situation persists for a long period, companies/managers will begin seeing decreased retention levels as employees seek better working environments. Especially as the next generation has entered the workforce, Gen-Z is twice as likely to move jobs compared to other generations, throughout the pandemic 50% of LinkedIn users switched roles with 90% being Gen-Z causing the ‘Great reshuffle’.
The COO of Mondofora, Dion Kenney hits the nail on the head when he says ‘If a manager’s concern is whether an employee is busy every second, they are measuring the wrong metric. Productivity is a measure of achieved results.’ Highlighting that employers and managers should be looking to client satisfaction or results from reporting i.e.increasing engagement or impressions.
The world of work turned upside down in 2020, employees were fully capable of working from home without causing productivity paranoia with many employees working longer hours to minimise the risk of judgment from other colleagues. So, what has changed in employers or managers? Is it the loss of control or do they have key results highlighting their business outputs have decreased?
How can employers move past WFH Productivity Paranoia?
Employers can help by breaking the disconnect between employees and employers, open communication and understanding of the employee’s workloads can reassure companies that work productivity is not decreasing. Helping to decrease working from home productivity paranoia. Many employees find it easier to work from home with little to no distractions compared to when in the office, as employees feel they spend more time talking to colleagues.
Businesses need to have a clear and concise workplace expectation for all employees, including sending emails outside of business hours or conversations had to establish workloads. Limiting the likelihood of employee burnout. The key to minimizing working from home productivity paranoia is communication between managers and employees, digital communication is extremely effective when utilised correctly through voice, call, and messaging communication.
Other expectations to set for working from home are days employees can work from home or process for requesting to work from home more. Harsh measures have been taken by companies including Tesla, Elon Musk demands all employees back to the office full time and those who do not return will be assumed to have resigned.
If employers are keen to have employees back in the office, strategies or incentives may reduce negatively surrounding the return. Employees are more willing to come into the workplace by allowing them to socialise more freely with colleagues. The Work Trend Index Pulse reports indicate that 84% of employees would be motivated to come into the workplace if socialisation was encouraged, potentially through monthly team bonding incentives.
People have differing opinions on working from home!
Including Mark Cook who published an opinion piece in the Financial Review, stating those between the ages of 35-50 years old are becoming the forgotten generation in the workplace. Declaring if you’re working remotely no one will know who you are or where you are. This apparently is limiting your chance of promotions within the company or equally damaging your career progression with fewer chances of learning new skills from colleagues.
Do we need a reality check on working from home or do businesses need to adapt their working environment to cater to working from home, ensuring their employees are developing and progressing within their company? Helping retention rates and increasing business outputs.
The working from home productivity paranoia can be managed and decreased with clear concise communications, keeping communication lines open, and establishing trust with colleagues is key to working from home.
Are you as a business owner experiencing working from home productivity paranoia? We can help guide you through measures to take ensuring your employees are continuing to be productivity at home and manage their performances.
Contact us today for further guidance!
