HR consultants AdviserPlus have written a new eBook that reveals more about the UK’s issues with productivity in 2019, as well as how HR managers can start to tackle this problem in their own business.

The UK’s shortfall in productivity has long been an economic headache compared to other countries. Despite significant increases in employment levels, productivity has actually gotten worse, and even though the UK reportedly works long hours, the valuable output is low.

So what is effecting these statistics and how can HR managers start to fight back against this trend?

Simplification

One way of improving both the wellbeing and productivity of a workforce is to simplify and streamline tasks and objectives.

- Ensuring that new technologies are implemented correctly, and giving employees ample training on how to use them can be a huge time saver.

- Adequate investment in recruitment will save employees overloading themselves with tasks and therefore burning themselves out. Regularly checking in with your staff to make sure they are comfortable with their workload will enable you to keep an eye on this.

Efficiency

Making the most of the working day is the key to productivity. When employees become less efficient, tasks tend to be delivered to a poorer standard and deadlines can often be missed.

- Implement a comprehensive and well thought out onboarding process. It will need to clearly explain what makes great productivity and what constitutes bad productivity. Successful organisations are explicit in what they expect from their employees and consequently reap the benefits of this.

- Set out a clear meetings protocol for your business this will help stop meetings from over running and eating into to time that could be being used more productively.

Engagement

Companies require their employees to be engaged and understand the work they do at all times, and should be rewarding and recognising them accordingly.

- Find new ways to boost the workplace environment in an attempt to heighten both workplace happiness and wellbeing. Although be careful not to overdo this, find a balance and make sure you set boundaries and goals.

- If you have staff that work outside of the office, make sure you are encouraging them to keep their work/life balance healthy. Asking them not to work on any projects or reply to emails outside of office hours’ will help with this.

Data Insight

Maintaining and monitoring HR data insights allows professionals to make informed, data-led decisions which should lead to desirable outcomes for the businesses.

- Reliable data can lead to much faster resolutions and allow HR professionals to put together business cases for essential upgrades and updates to a business’s protocols.

- Allowing your employees to input their own data into a database can save time when it comes to the appraisal process. It will as allow them to have much more of a say when it comes to their career progression.

Rory Jackson, head of marketing & customer acquisition from AdviserPlus commented on the eBook:

“Productivity in UK workforces has been a problem for a few years now, and it’s clear that it’s going to take some strong action and creative ideas from businesses to solve the decline in output we’re seeing nationwide.

“Fortunately, organisations are starting to see success implementing strategies entwined with workplace wellbeing, technology and investment which are boosting not only productivity but revenue.

“Our eBook explains how HR professionals are a core part in turning this issue around, enabling businesses to increase productivity and achieving financial savings.”

The eBook entitled “HR’s role in solving the UK’s productivity puzzle” is available as a free download here - https://adviserplus.com/resource/hrs-role-in-solving-the-uks-productivity-puzzle/