Hours Worked Vs. Efficiency
- Employees who routinely surf the web, shop, or read and write personal emails while on the clock waste time and decrease productivity. A policy discouraging personal computer use on company time can prevent the abuse of computer privileges and increase work efficiency.
- Some workers leave their workstations so frequently that customers are left waiting at counters with no one to serve them, forcing coworkers to leave their own work and step in. Requiring workers to inform others when they will be away from their desk minimizes unscheduled excursions.
- Long-time workers may become complacent and slow their pace, delegating work they would rather not do to newer, unproved workers eager to impress bosses. While newer workers hustle, long-time employees enjoy stress-free projects. When managers ensure that everyone has an equal work load, it averts burnout and maximizes efficiency.
- In Tom Walker's article "Americans Work Longest Hours Among Industrialized Countries" from the September 1999 "ILO News," ILO Director-General Juan Somavia states, "while the benefits of hard work are clear, working more is not the same as working better."
- While every worker needs breaks throughout the day to rest eyes, backs and minds, employers should have written guidelines outlining job responsibilities and consequences for those who fail to perform work. Clear expectations motivate workers to give their best while at work.
