Employee performance is influenced by multiple factors. Our productivity and engagement can be shaped by elements as diverse as our beverage choices and weekend activities. Interestingly, recent evidence suggests that contemplating your mortality can impact workplace performance.
While organisations may not have direct control over all these factors, it’s essential to consider them. Performance management and employee engagement remain top priorities for innovative and agile businesses. In fact, a significant 89% of employees believe their performance would significantly improve with changes imposed by performance management.
With this in mind, we have compiled a list of factors to consider when managing performance.
Top 8 factors for performance management
1. Where your employees sit (and who they sit next to) during office hours
The arrangement of your employees’ workspaces and the frequency with which they are relocated can significantly influence their performance. A Wall Street Journal article highlights that allowing employees to change desks every few months can enhance productivity and collaboration. This practice exposes them to colleagues from different department, facilitating the exchange of new information, ideas, and skills. Additionally, it fosters connections within the company, positively impacting overall morale.
Moreover, a study conducted by Cornell University revealed that employees seated near windows experienced reduced eye strain and headaches along with a 2% boost in productivity. This improvement is largely attributed to the benefits of natural light. Therefore, if you notice an employee struggling, consider suggesting a seat change.
The significant advantage of this approach is that it incurs minimal to no cost – an essential factor for growing businesses. Given the potential for the simple action to make a substantial difference in your organisation’s performance, it is certainty worth exploring within your performance management system.
2. Offering complementary coffee could boost employee performance
One low-cost factor that can significantly impact employee performance is the availability of complementary coffee in the workplace. Research from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine indicates that caffeine improves workers’ memory and concentration, leading to better cognitive performance and reduced error rate. Interestingly, caffeine has effects similar to a quick nap, making employees more alert and engaged. Additionally, another study reveals that 46% of employees feel they are less productive without coffee.
3. Embracing diverse weekend activities
Evidence suggests a strong correlation between weekend activities and workplace productivity. A study by Kevin Eschleman from San Francisco State University found that when employees lack a creative outlet during the week, engaging in one during their downtime can boosts productivity and overall performance. Eschleman emphasises that extracurricular activities should not be as taxing as one’s job. Conversely, for those in creative roles, pursuing more practical or physically demanding hobbies can have positive impact on work performance.
4. The daily commute to the office
One crucial factor to consider when managing performance is the length of the daily commute. Research indicates that lengthy commutes significantly affect workplace productivity. One study suggests that individuals who are fatigued from long commutes are more prone to distractions in the morning and tend to feel apprehensive in the afternoon as they anticipate (or dread) their return journey. This stress often leads to a higher error rate compared to those with little or no commuting to make, ultimately impacting their overall productivity.
Another source shows that employees with long commutes are more likely to experience stress-related work issues, including increased blood pressure, heightened frustration, and a sense of resentment regarding extended period spent in morning traffic. Such employees are also more inclined to arrive late or call in sick.
To address these challenges, companies should consider experimenting with flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting. If an employee’s physical presence in the office is not essential, offering a work-form-home option reflects a high level of trust and serves as a valuable perk that can attract promising talent. By monitoring and tracking employee performance with performance management software, companies can maintain standard while potentially witnessing a surge in productivity.
5. Regular managerial communication and coaching conversations
You likely understand that managers significantly influence employee productivity performance, but you might not realise just how profound that impact can be. A strong manager-employee relationship is the most critical performance factor directly within your control. In fact, managers can account for up to 70% of the variance in employee engagement. Therefore, if you are looking to enhance performance levels within your organisation, this is the ideal starting point.
Regular performance coaching conversations provide an opportunity for managers to recognise and reward employees for their efforts and achievements. These discussions also allow managers to offer guidance and feedback, enabling employees to adjust their course when necessary. Additionally, these one-on-one meetings facilitate conversations about SMART objectives and training opportunities. Companies worldwide are shifting from annual performance reviews to regular coaching discussions and are observing a remarkable improvement in productivity and overall performance.
6. Presenteeism (coming to work while ill)
While companies often focus on absenteeism, the annual costs associated with presenteeism – coming to work while ill – are actually twice as high. Remarkably, about 90% of British workers report coming to work unwell, which significantly affects their performance levels. Research shows that individuals are substantially less productive when sick; they make mistakes, and their presence poses a risk of spreading illness to others.
To prevent presenteeism from becoming a persistent issue within your organisation, it is crucial to address the underlying reasons why employees feel compelled to come in when they are unfit for work. Are they worried that an absence might jeopardise a potential promotion? Are they overwhelmed by their workload? Do they feel that no one will cover their responsibilities during their absence? Human Resources should tackle these concerns head-on, clearly communicating to employees that if they are unwell. It is in everyone’s best interest for them to stay at home and recover.
7. Poor software can negatively affect employee performance
Businesses invest in software with the expectation of enhancing employee productivity and performance. However, technology can sometimes have the opposite effect. This often occurs when the software is overly complicated. When there are too many unnecessary features, employees can become overwhelmed and frustrated.
The ideal software should be intuitive and user-friendly, requiring little to no training. At Performance and Talent, we take pride in delivering a straightforward, clear, and enjoyable user experience. While we are always available to answer questions about our software, we have designed our performance management tools to be so intuitive that users rarely encounter the issues commonly associated with more complex solutions.
8. Establish clear SMART objectives with employees
Did you know that employees are significantly more likely to understand and achieve their goals when they have a hand in creating them? Empower your employees by giving them ownership over their targets and making the objective-setting process collaborative. Provide them with information about company objectives and direction, allowing them to align their goals with these overarching aims. The outcome is a workforce that is more passionate about their daily roles, leading to a direct improvement in performance levels.
Discover how OneAdvanced’s Performance and Talent software can significantly enhance your performance management system and boost productivity within your organisation. Schedule a free demo today!