In a recently conducted survey by Microsoft about productivity in the workplace, the results were surprising.
Most bosses do not feel that their employees are as productive when working from home, even with the wide range of tools available to use. This is out of the 20,000 people working for businesses in 11 different countries.
Four out of five employers said they thought their employees did less work when working remotely.
In contrast, 87% of staff said they were MORE productive when working at home.
How come there is such a big disconnect?
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella blames what he calls “productivity paranoia.” Employers tend to expect more productivity from their employees than the latter feel they are capable of delivering.
Maybe some bosses would like to return to the old ways of working, but their people prefer the flexibility of today’s hybrid working due to its many benefits. Remote working means less commuting and easier attainment of a better work/life balance.
Employers should also communicate better with the people who work for them.
Yes, that’s about setting clear expectations, giving feedback when someone doesn’t meet those expectations, and helping people learn and grow.
But it’s also vital that your team have the right tools and technology to allow them to get on with their work, no matter where they happen to be.
Are their devices up-to-date and compatible with the way they work? Are they using the right applications so that they can communicate effectively and collaborate on projects?
Spend time talking to the people who use the tools and technology you’re working with.
It’s important to show your people that you value them. You’ll be rewarded with a loyal, hard-working team that will go above and beyond for you.
And if you need help selecting the right tools and tech for your business, we can assist – just contact us.