Contributed by: Dennis Hung
All employers want to have a good rapport with their employees. In order to achieve that, there needs to be mutual respect on both sides. Respecting employees’ time is a key part of this, as time is a valuable commodity at work. By respecting employees’ time, you help them work more efficiently, and you show them that you value the effort they put into their work. Here are eight ways to respect your employees’ time and help them work more efficiently.
Consistent Training
Training is a critical part of the onboarding process. When you do not train employees properly, there is a sense of isolation and confusion. A consistent training protocol is the best way to inform every employee about the expectation and norms within the company. This helps to ensure that every employee understands their role within the company and how the entire entity is to function. Disseminating all of this information to your employees before work begins is a great way to save time in the long run.
Remote Opportunities
When most employers think about remote work, they imagine their employees sitting at home in their pajamas with a bag of chips. This image alone turns most companies away from even considering the idea of remote opportunities. A recent study from Stanford has actually proved these fears to be wrong. Researchers conducted a two-year study where a company split its employee base in half. One control group of 500 employees stayed at the office, and the other half worked from home. The results were astounding as productivity in the telecommuting group was higher. Furthermore, these employees were less likely to take long breaks, call in sick or show up to work late.
Regular Meetings
Regular meetings may seem like the best way to waste employees’ time, but there is a balance that you can master. Having regular brief meetings is a great way to keep everyone on the same page. Miscommunication is one of the most common causes of dysfunction in the workplace. Having meetings regularly helps employees understand their expectations during the week. This can help improve efficiency by reducing possible confusion that results from a lack of communication.
Make Decisions
Every functioning business needs a leader who can make quick decisions and remain confident in their choices. When a business owner fails to make timely decisions, the entire staff suffers. Employees are at a standstill as nothing can be done until these executive decisions are made. Furthermore, all of the time wasted in the decision-making process is taken away from the time employees have to complete the job. Making firm and quick decisions will help to save time and improve efficiency.
Reward Extra Effort or Overtime
When running a business, it is important to realize that not all employees will share the same vision and dedication to the company. They may not be willing to work extra or for free in order to realize the company’s success. In order to respect their time, it is important to pay employees overtime and reward effort that goes above and beyond expectations. Not only will these incentives encourage extra work, they will also help to ensure employees feel appreciated.
Respect the Lunch Break
Many companies make the mistake of having employees work through a lunch break. Not only is this practice in violation of the law, but it is also completely disrespectful to employees. The lunch break is time set aside for the employees to get a much-needed break. Studies have shown that breaks can actually increase efficiency and productivity.
Listen to Complaints
Too many employers are willing to brush off their employees’ complaints as unfounded or unsubstantial. Taking care of any problems or complaints can make employees happier and willing to work. This is especially true if the issue is keeping employees from performing their duties correctly. Solving these complaints is an important part of working more efficiently and showing a sense of respect.
Communicate Less
When running a company, many employers feel the need to communicate more than they should. As long as employees understand what work to complete or how to do it, employees should be left to do their work. Communicating unnecessarily with employees is a common way that employers waste their employees’ time. Although small talk is nice, there are times when employees need to lock down on their duties without outside distractions. Try to communicate with employees only when needed so that they can focus on their work.
About the Author: Dennis Hung is a writer of all things business. He’s an expert in sales planning, strategy, pricing, and Product Marketing. He has extensive knowledge in organic-only SEO, social media marketing, lead generation, and management consulting.
