It’s no secret: In many industries, summer is one of the least fruitful times of the year when it comes to employee productivity.
Analysts blame the prevalence of summer vacations, the tendency of workers to leave work early, poorly controlled air conditioning and other distractions related to the season of sun and fun. But whatever the reason, some 25% of office workers in a recent U.S. survey reported feeling less productive in the summertime.
“It might be the warm weather that is draining the energy of your employees, or the idea of spending the day at the beach instead of the office,” advises Atanu Shaw in Forbes. “(But) just because you and your team would rather be at the beach sipping pina coladas doesn’t mean you can’t finish work on time.”
With that in mind, here are several suggestions for keeping yourself and your team revved up and hardworking through the distracting warm and sunny months of June, July and August.
1. Divide the season into short-term goals
Psychologically, goals can be easier to achieve (and less overwhelming) when they’re broken up into manageable intervals. Try to establish goals for productivity that last weeks instead of months. “Specific goals are more effective in improving performance than are general ‘do your best’ goals or no goals at all,” notes Frank L. Smoll in Psychology Today. “And short-term goals are important because they allow athletes to see immediate improvements in performance and thereby enhance motivation.”
2. Plan outdoor breaks
When the weather is gorgeous, it’s easy for employees to feel they’re missing out when they’re toiling away inside. Acknowledge that feeling by planning outdoor cookouts, picnics, breaks and happy hours that let people soak up sun in between work projects.
3. Keep temps comfortable
Ensure your workers aren’t distracted from their work by stiflingly hot temps or overly chilly air conditioning. Aim for a comfortable 70 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Encourage vacations
Research shows that time off from work boosts our mental power, helps recharge our creativity and reinforces our ability to solve problems.
5. Don’t micromanage schedules
Aim to evaluate employees on their work performance instead of the hours and minutes they spend in the office. Allowing a reasonable amount of flex time and/or work-from-home time fosters mutual trust; you may also wish to discontinue company policies requiring employees to schedule single days off way ahead of time. “If you micromanage an employee’s work flow or schedule down to every last minute, they will almost always become frustrated and less happy with their job,” writes Adam Heitzman on Inc.com. “Employees who are allowed to self-regulate and work independently are consistently the most reliable, productive and happiest individuals.”
6. Offer extra incentives
To remind your people to stay on task during the so-called dog days, consider extra rewards if they meet certain benchmarks. Individual incentives might include cash, gift certificates, vacations or extra PTO, while group rewards might involve catered-in meals or fun off-site experiences. “Incentives in the form of something most people are not likely to buy for themselves work wonders,” recommends business consultant Brad Sugars in Business News Daily.
Call Gravity Software® at 844-464-7284 to learn more about keeping your accounting processes smooth and friction-free this summer. Or schedule your online demo and just say GO!
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