Employee welfare is a prerequisite and critical factor for growth of any organization. On a casual morning, while discussing employees’ welfare with colleagues, obviously wasting all our productive time, is where this idea bloomed. Though the discussion kept on going for hours and ended up in unrealistic dreams of getting 3 days leaves in a week and annual tour package to European countries, and some unrevealed desires that were enshrouded in ‘what ifs’, the conversation was fruitful to gain an in-depth knowledge on many interesting HR policies.
The role of the human resources department has proliferated in the last few years to grow past simply enforcing policies and procedures, recruiting, hiring, on-boarding, and people management. But, nowadays, everybody wants to be their own boss. Each and every person is a resource of creativity too. So, what pulls back people to remain in the workforce communities.
Definitely not the paycheck only. Then what else? Here emerges the first thought of ameliorating workforce productivity.
How to Improve Workforce Productivity?
In today’s fast-paced and competitive business world, optimizing workforce productivity is a top priority for organizations. Human Resources (HR) departments play a crucial role in this endeavour by implementing innovative policies that engage, motivate, and empower employees. Navneet Singh, Founder and CEO of AVSAR has some interesting HR policies that can be implemented to boost the workforce’s motive to stay updated and dynamic.
1. Flexible Work Arrangements:
Offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work, compressed workweeks, or flexible hours, can enhance employee satisfaction and reduce stress. It enables employees to achieve a better work-life balance, which, in turn, leads to increased productivity and loyalty.
2. Results-Oriented Work Culture:
Shifting the focus from the number of hours worked to results achieved can be a game-changer. Implementing a results-oriented work culture encourages employees to set their own goals and timelines, promoting a sense of ownership and responsibility.
3. Employee Wellness Programs:
Healthy employees are more productive. HR policies that support wellness, like fitness programs, stress management workshops, and mental health initiatives, can improve employees’ physical and emotional well-being, resulting in increased productivity.
4. Recognition and Rewards:
Implement a comprehensive recognition and rewards system to acknowledge employees’ hard work and achievements. It can include bonuses, awards, or simple expressions of gratitude, boosting morale and motivation.
5. Mentorship Programs:
Establish mentorship programs that connect experienced employees with newcomers. This promotes knowledge transfer, skill development, and a sense of belonging.
“By adopting these innovative HR policies can be a strategic move to enhance workforce productivity. By nurturing a culture that values employee well-being, recognizes their efforts, and encourages growth, companies can create a motivated and efficient workforce that drives success,” said Navneet Singh.
How to Curate HR Policies?
In today’s competitive business landscape, an engaged and motivated workforce is essential for success. By incorporating forward-thinking HR policies, we can create a workplace that not only attracts top talent but also maximizes their potential. But there are some important things to be considered while curating HR policies.
Sandesha Jaitapkar – Chief Operating Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at the Artha Group, has given some insights on this. According to her, embracing technology can supercharge the team’s productivity.
1. Integration of Technology
Invest in collaboration tools, cloud workspaces, and automation. “Empowering employees to unleash their creativity through optimum use of technology holds the key to increased productivity, cost savings, and amplified sales. The formula is clear: provide the right training and incentives to foster innovation,” she added.
2. Profit Participation
When employees know they’re part of something bigger, it motivates them. Rewarding structures, like sharing profits, keep everyone’s spirits high. It’s like having goals on three levels: for each person, their team, and the whole company. Reaching these goals means everyone wins. By giving employees a piece of the profit pie, they feel like they’re part owners. This makes them work harder and aim for the big picture.
3. Learning Culture
Foster a culture of learning within your organization. Invest in employees through continuous training and development programs. “Provide resources, courses, and skill-building growth opportunities. This creates a skilled and motivated workforce, ready to take that first step towards success,” Sandesha Jaitapkar noted.
Improving employee productivity has become an all-hands deck call to order in most organizations. It starts from the individual themselves being intrinsically motivated to contribute and complete their deliverables on time and extends to their Managers, Leadership teams, HR departments and so on. As enablers, the HR team can build a policy around flexibility and accountability.
On these flexible schedules which is gaining popularity among employees, Nivedita Kannan, Head of People Function, Mudrex has stated that, “Giving employees the flexibility to decide availability independently and accordingly plan their deliverables can be a very powerful tool to building engaged teams. The flipside could be a lack of seriousness to get things done which is where honouring accountability comes in. Accountability will have consequences – good and improvement oriented – both. HR teams will need to play a strategic partner with business to help build productive and efficient teams.”
HR policies, when thoughtfully designed and executed, are the cornerstone of a productive workforce. They’re more than just guidelines; they’re the architects of a workplace where employees are inspired, engaged, and empowered to do their best work.
“From flexible work arrangements that honor work-life balance to transparent communication that builds trust, these policies breathe life into the organization’s culture, fostering innovation, loyalty, and peak performance. In the realm of HR, the most interesting policies are those that recognize the individuality of each team member, celebrate diversity, and create an atmosphere where every voice is heard,” stated Aditya Joshi, CEO at OpalForce.
Companies’ Policy Implementation
1. Yearly Workation
A culture that values continuous learning and development encourages employees to improve their skills and knowledge. Well-trained and skilled employees tend to be more productive and adaptable in their roles.
Sharing the company’s peculiar efforts to care for their employees Nital Shah, COO of Uplers stated that, “As a fully remote company, the imbibing of organizational culture happens remotely through video calls, virtual interactions, and collaborations. We are therefore intentionally conscious of the fact that we have to take more efforts in building the culture in a remote setup that helps our employees boost their workplace productivity.”
According to him, a culture that values continuous learning and development encourages employees to improve their skills and knowledge. Well-trained and skilled employees tend to be more productive and adaptable in their roles.
“One unique initiative that stands out is the introduction of a yearly workation for our employees. This program goes beyond the traditional workplace and allows our team to immerse themselves in our culture, thereby boosting their work productivity. A strong organizational culture can foster a sense of belonging and purpose among employees.”
2. Karecoins
Recognizing, appreciating and expressing gratitude for each extra step of the employees has gained a significant role in employee satisfaction.
Mykare Health’s Senior Lead People’s Officer Sandra Hillarious shared another interesting initiative of their company i.e., Karecoins, a mode of rewarding employees with tokens or coins which can be exchanged for attractive rewards or other benefits. The company launched Karecoins on January 2023, from which employees are reaping benefits for the past 9 months.
As industry expert Walter Chen once put it, “You can take that feeling of “I would rather do anything than this particular thing, which sends you typically to sort the sock drawer or go on a Netflix spree, and use it as a force for productivity.”
These are some of the most effective tips to follow to increase employee productivity within your organization. What measures will you adopt to leverage the productivity of your employees?
