6 things that make for an unproductive workforce

​​Do you feel like you and your coworkers are just not hitting your stride? Are there too many distractions in the office or people talking on the phone all day long? If so, it's possible that your workplace is unproductive. This blog post will discuss six things that make for an unproductive workforce. Once you know what these things are, you can take steps to improve the situation!

#1 The office is cluttered and messy
If your company has a "dirty desk policy," it's time to reconsider that policy. A messy desk can be distracting, especially if there are papers on the floor or dust blowing off of them! It also creates an environment where people feel less comfortable working because they have no idea what might pop out at them from beneath those piles of paper. 

To improve this situation, make sure employees clean up their desks when they leave each day so others won't see it as such a mess when they come in tomorrow morning. Another thing you can do is limit distractions:

• Turn off all electronics (except for phones) during work hours.
• Put away any personal items like photos or books.
• Set aside specific times for lunch and breaks so people aren't constantly getting up and down.
• Establish a rule that talking on the phone is only allowed in private cubicles.
  
  

#2 there is no clear structure or set of rules
If there are no guidelines in place, people will make their own up, and they're not likely to be very productive ones! This can lead to confusion about what's expected of employees and a lack of accountability. To fix this, you need to create a set of written standards for the workplace- from how to dress appropriately to what types of conversations are allowed during work hours. 

You may also want to establish specific working hours (and stick to them) so people know when it's okay to take personal calls or go on break. And finally, make sure everyone is aware of these rules! Post them where they can be seen easily, send out a company-wide email, and talk about them during team meetings.

#3 There are no incentives for people who do more work
When there's nothing in it for employees, they're less likely to put any effort into their jobs- and that can be a major problem when you need everyone working at 100%! The best way around this is by creating some kind of incentive system where those with higher productivity levels get rewarded accordingly. This might mean offering bonuses or extra vacation time, giving them better projects than anyone else on staff (and more responsibility), allowing these individuals access to certain perks only available through hard work, and assigning heavier workloads so they won't feel like freeloading off others' efforts.

The key here is making sure everyone knows what the expectations are right from day one - and then holding them accountable. If you don't, your employees might think that they're doing enough just by showing up on time every day!

#4 The workplace culture is toxic
Toxic workplaces can make it impossible for people to do their jobs because they feel like outsiders all the time. So it's important that you create a positive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued, no matter what kind of work they do or how long they've been with the company! 

It's also essential to give praise when deserved- such as recognizing those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. You don't want your employees feeling like their efforts aren't noticed or appreciated, so make sure everyone knows how much they're valued!

And finally, if there are any issues with an employee's performance that need addressing, be sure to address them directly instead of letting these concerns fester in silence for months. By doing this immediately after noticing something isn't right about what he/she is up to at work - you'll save yourself from having major problems down the road and ensure your workplace wellbeing is in optimal condition.

#5 The employees are overworked
If people are already struggling to keep up with their workload, adding more tasks on top of that isn't going to do anyone any favors - especially not the employee! This can lead to burnout, which will only make it harder for them to concentrate and be productive. The best way around this is by assessing what each person's capabilities are and then delegating duties accordingly. You might also want to consider hiring additional help if things have gotten too hectic (or look into outsourcing certain aspects of the company so that you don't have to take care of everything yourself).

It's important to remember that everyone has a limit- and once you've crossed it, productivity goes out the window! So try your best to keep an eye on things and make changes when needed.

6) Employees don't have the necessary tools to do their work properly.
It's not just about having everything you need to get things done, but rather what kind of quality those items are. For example, if an employee is using a computer that isn't up-to-date with its software or hardware, then they'll likely be spending more time fixing problems than actually doing their job! It's also essential for employees to have access to all relevant information related to their responsibilities without having to dig through multiple folders in search mode (or worse yet - wait around until someone finally hands it over).

In addition, being able to work efficiently and adequately requires certain tools such as desk space or even ergonomic chairs, which help reduce physical stress on the body while working long hours at a screen. You might think these seem trivial things when you're trying to get a business off the ground, but over time, they will add up and make a huge difference in terms of how productive your workforce actually is.

There are many things that can hinder productivity in the workplace. But by being mindful of these potential issues and taking action where necessary, you'll be well on your way to having a more effective and efficient team.