Three simple ways to drive productivity -- even when budgets are tight

From the March 2009 issue of Ceridian Connection.

In today's uncertain business environment, organizations find themselves caught in a squeeze: it's more important than ever to support workforce morale and drive productivity -- but budgets are stretched to the limit. The future is uncertain. Many employees are taking on more work as the workforce shrinks. They're increasingly distracted by fears, finances and family challenges.

But an increase in employee productivity may not require additional programs. Improvement in employee health and satisfaction doesn't have to add to your human resource spending. Beth Lundholm, Ceridian's LifeWorks Management Service manager, presents three simple ways to make your employees more productive at work and at home.

1. Communicate clearly
   "Communicate," Lundholm says, "is an overused word. But clarity in communication can hold real power if you want to strengthen your bond with employees and keep them engaged and motivated. When we say communicate clearly, we mean that it's important to speak in a meaningful way to employees. For instance, when some leaders don't know the answer, they just stop communicating. With so much insecurity in these times, it's important to have genuine conversations with your employees.
   
   "Employees are feeling understandably anxious these days," Lundholm says. "They're feeling that their Big Plan is not there anymore. They're finding it hard to focus. So get together with your staff. Make it a point to listen. Talk about the elephant in the room. It's okay to say, 'Here's what we know, and here's what we don't know. Now, how will we work within this framework to achieve our goals?'"
   
   Clear communication can deliver big benefits because it allows managers to help employees find a purpose. "Everyone works better and more effectively when they reflect on the purpose of their actions," Lundholm says. "So be candid with employees about what it's going to take to create success. This will help them understand what they need to do -- right now, in the moment -- to make a difference, to ensure that their purpose is being met. And that engenders a feeling of control. It gives a sense of direction. Clear communication holds great potential for positive change."



2. Train supervisors about work-life balance
   "Teaching managers to be more supportive of their direct reports' work-life issues can dramatically improve employee health and satisfaction," Lundholm says. She cites a multiyear study of hundreds of frontline workers and dozens of supervisors that revealed just how much impact this type of training can have.
   
   The study showed that prior to the training, employees who perceived their managers as unsupportive had significantly worse job attitudes, blood pressure, heart rates, sleep quality and general overall health. "After supervisors were trained," Lundholm says, "workers perceived the supervisors to be more supportive. The employees reported improvements in their general overall health, were more satisfied in their jobs and weren't as inclined to seek jobs elsewhere. They even reported a greater willingness to comply with safety programs.
   
   "Training supervisors about work-life balance can help motivate employees and keep them engaged. This one action can make a tremendous difference. And it's another reason why Ceridian Work-Life Services are a popular choice for employers-in any economic environment."



3. Express gratitude
   If you wonder, 'What can we do -- day to day -- to keep our company strong?' then pay special attention to this recommendation.
   
   "When you feel appreciated, you get energy," Lundholm says. "So make it a point to express gratitude to each other. This applies to everyone: managers and employees, superiors and colleagues. A sincere expression of gratitude is a vastly underrated method of creating stronger, more resilient relationships in the workplace -- and it doesn't cost a dime."
   
   The simple act of verbalizing appreciation and gratitude can raise the level of energy in the workplace and acts as a model for behavior throughout the organization. "This impacts productivity in a very positive way," Lundholm says. "The energy builds on itself, and can directly reduce the uncertainty that staffers might be feeling in today's stressful environment."




Ten Pennies: An exercise for the workplace When you leave the house in the morning, put ten pennies in your left pocket. Then, during the day, express your gratitude every time you catch an employee, colleague or superior doing good work. With each expression of gratitude, move a penny into your right pocket. You'll soon find that you have ten pennies in your right pocket at the end of every workday.








As a service to employers and the public, Ceridian's LifeWorks Employee Assistance Program is making several resources available to help Americans cope with economic issues in 2009.
Resources for employees