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Three tips for companies to boost employee productivity By Arnoux Maré , managing director of Innovative Staffing Solutions ( ISS )
Companies are increasingly facing a significant rise in absenteeism and presenteeism , as employees buckle under the pressure of a difficult economic environment and growing financial strain .
As a human capital and facilities management subcontracting company , ISS employs over 36 000 permanent staff across sectors such as mining , engineering , construction , retail , agriculture , transportation and logistics .
Absenteeism refers to regular absences from work as a result of various conditions such as health issues , personal problems , or even without good reason . Presenteeism refers to staff being physically present but disengaged from their work .
These trends are increasingly threatening company bottom lines through lost productivity as South African employees navigate a turbulent environment . Rising costs of living and economic pressures , compounded by the mental toll of disasters such as the pandemic , riots and the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal , are placing an incredible burden of stress on staff .
In turn , this raises the risk of demotivated and disengaged employees , a negative work culture , and much higher levels of both absenteeism and presenteeism just when companies need productive , motivated staff the most to see them through these tough times .
According to Statistics South Africa , absenteeism already costs the local economy some R16 billion per annum . While the cost of presenteeism is more difficult to quantify , researchers at the Victoria Institute of Strategic Economic Studies have further estimated that the growing toll of lost productivity resulting from absenteeism and presenteeism could shave as much as 7 % from South Africa ’ s total Gross Domestic Product ( GDP ) by 2030 .
Companies therefore need to be proactive in implementing staff management strategies to minimise risk to their operations and maintain their competitive advantage . However , many companies don ’ t have the dedicated human resource and labour relations expertise needed to ensure that staff are satisfied and productive . Additionally , hiring this expertise can add significant costs , and distract from a company ’ s core competencies and services .
This is why outsourcing as an approach has seen solid results – even for companies with large staff contingents .
STRENGTHENING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT In addition to outsourcing , a “ back to basics ” approach for businesses looking to strengthen employee engagement and halt a slide in productivity , beginning with a focus on these three fundamentals is important .
Offer competitive incentives Many businesses overlook the importance of incentives for productivity and motivation . But where competitive salaries are important , this goes far beyond monetary rewards .
Organisations also need to consider benefits such as pension funds and medical aid schemes . These are often more costeffective than retirement annuities or individual medical aids , alleviating some of the financial pressure from employees and improving overall staff well-being too .
Provide learning and advancement opportunities Opportunities for career advancement through upskilling and training are also key to cultivating a positive and focused workforce .
The benefits of offering learning opportunities to an employee are two-fold .
Jan Reimann | Pixabay
Presenteeism - staff being physically present but disengaged from their work - is another factor business owners need to manage in today ’ s environment that affects overall productivity and profits .
First , it shows that you care about them and their careers as individuals , making them feel valued and building loyalty to your company as well as reducing staff turnover . Secondly , well-trained staff are less likely to be involved in accidents or make mistakes , minimising waste or harm to your business while driving productivity and profits – a win-win .
Seamless staff management and support Efficient employee on-boarding or ensuring that all new staff are provided with details regarding company policies and expectations , can play a significant role in creating a lasting positive impression of your company . Likewise , getting the basics right such as effective administrative and payroll management can greatly improve employee experience .
Seamless employee support can also make companies stand out as ‘ employers of choice ’, providing employees with swift solutions to any issues that may arise and removing the burden of any problems encountered , allowing them to focus instead on their work .
Finally , fostering an open and honest culture through ongoing communication is vital to ensuring that employees remain engaged , informed , and inspired . Staff are ultimately a company ’ s greatest asset , ensuring that businesses run efficiently and that they continue to deliver high standards of service . In a difficult environment and it ’ s more important than ever for leaders to prioritise the needs of their staff in order to secure and grow their businesses . CLA
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