Employee Performance
Employee PerformanceMost organizations not tracking costs of employee absences
Thursday, 22 September 2011 16:00  Previous research has suggested that workers who experience elevated levels of workplace stress tend to take more days off than their counterparts who feel less tension.This may factor into losses on an organization's bottom line, but a recent Society for Human Resource Management survey reveals that many companies do not keep track of the costs of employee absences. A total of 79 percent of respondents said they keep track of how many days workers are taking off. However, 61 percent said they do not have a system in place to calculate losses of unplanned absences, and 53 percent reported a lack of tracking for costs of extended time off. Organizations may want to start paying attention, since an article on a website of the Human Resources Network states that absences may cost as much as 36 percent of a worker's base salary. While unplanned sick days and other uexpected absences accounted for a lower expense overall, they end up costing more in the long run, since vacation days are often factored into a salary. This suggests that employee wellness programs meant to reduce workplace stress may cut down on the number of sick days workers take, which may ultimately improve a company's bottom line. Study finds that exercise may improve employee performance
Thursday, 22 September 2011 16:00  In a trial, researchers at the Brain Sciences Institute at Swindburne University in Australia found that workers who engaged in a wellness initiative for just two months experienced improved brain function to perform job-related tasks.The wellness program involved achieving a 10,000-step-per-day goal. After a 60-day period, researchers measured the cognition of study participants and found that they were better able to make decisions, remember facts and plan ahead, compared to individuals who did not take part in the initiative. “The research showed that there is a very clear link between physical fitness and brain function,” said lead researcher Paul Taylor. “There were improvements in the employees’ mood and cognition from both of the groups, with the exercise group surpassing the results of the control group." A post on the blog Smart Draw states that sometimes workers require training and guidance in order to strengthen their performance. This kind of preparation may come in the form of employee wellness programs, which have been known to lead to a healthier staff, lower healthcare costs and stronger employee performance. Flexible scheduling may help reduce workplace stress
Tuesday, 13 September 2011 16:00  Workers who are allowed to divide their responsibilities between work and home may be more likely to have a balance between their professional and personal lives, leading to reduced stress and better productivity, according to a Forbes article.Flexible scheduling may involve working four 10-hour days per week or telecommuting two days and coming into the office for the remainder of the workweek. The point is, the employee gets to decide what is best for them. "When you enjoy your work environment and you aren't stressed out about getting other things done, you are more productive," said Tammy Hunter, a worker who is allowed to make her own schedule, quoted by the news source. According to researchers at Portland Community College in Oregon, organizations that establish work schedules that allow staff members to meet demands and responsibilities outside of the job are likely to reduce or avoid workplace stress. Additionally, employee wellness programs that provide tools and resources for stress management are known to decrease anxiety in the office, thereby strengthening employee performance and improving a company's bottom line. Three psychological factors may promote employee engagement
Thursday, 01 September 2011 16:00  Researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of Guelph reported that employee engagement is an integral component of managing performance, and that efforts to help workers become more invested in their jobs is key in staff retention.The team of scientists identified three psychological conditions that may encourage employee engagement. First, they said that employees who are made to feel that the work they do is valued by the organization are more likely to be engaged in their job. Next, the researchers noted that safety is important in employee engagement. Workers should feel as though their health or reputation are not at risk as a result of their position. Promoting safety can range from efforts to stave off workplace bullies to improved training aimed at preventing injuries on the job. Lastly, psychological availability, or the characteristic of having the physical, emotional and mental resources to do a job, is essential to staff dedication. Employee wellness programs that provide tools and resources for stress management may help workers become more in tune and promote well-being, thereby reducing workplace stress and strengthening employee performance. Insomnia comes with a heavy price tag for companies
Wednesday, 31 August 2011 16:00  It doesn't take extensive research to know that a sleepy worker is an unproductive worker. But just how costly is lost productivity due to sleepless nights?Research that was led by a Harvard Medical School professor reveals that the cost of presenteeism due to insomnia may be as high as $63.2 billion for companies in the U.S. "Americans are not missing work because of insomnia. They are still going to their jobs but accomplishing less because they're tired. In an information-based economy, it's difficult to find a condition that has a greater effect on productivity," said lead researcher Ronald Kessler, Ph.D. Kessler and his team analyzed data from the American Insomnia Study to reach their conclusions. They discovered that lost productivity stemming from inadequate rest results in about 11 fewer working days per employee, and costs their employer about $2,280 annually. The researchers said that the next step in remedying the problem is figuring out the most cost-efficient interventions that may help improve employee sleep habits. Organizations that implement employee wellness programs that provide tools and resources for stress management often boast healthier, more productive workers. It's possible that reduced workplace stress and good sleep habits can influence each other, promoting overall employee wellness. More Articles...Page 1 of 6 |
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