Running a successful business involves managing various numerical aspects, such as minimizing expenses, increasing sales, and adjusting employee benefits. These factors directly impact profitability, regardless of employers’ good intentions. Productivity and profitability are crucial for an organization’s success. A Stanford University study reveals that working more than 55 hours per week may not lead to higher achievements or errors, despite the focus on financial metrics.
1. Decreasing Work Quality
Sustaining focus for eight hours each day can be demanding, especially when the nature of the work is mentally taxing. The more challenging the tasks, the greater the difficulty of avoiding errors or missteps. As the day progresses, fatigue inevitably sets in, and by the time one concludes the workday, mental sharpness may have waned compared to the morning.
Extended work hours exacerbate this common phenomenon. Fatigued employees are prone to making mistakes and may find it challenging to make sound decisions. This dual impact can result in heightened stress and anxiety as job performance declines and the ability to respond effectively diminishes.
2. Less Employee Engagement
Employees who are excessively burdened, especially those driven by a sense of obligation stemming from company culture or unrealistic expectations, swiftly lose their enthusiasm for their work. What was once enjoyable now turns into a cumbersome task. They lose the drive to excel in their responsibilities or proactively address challenges. Such disengaged employees can become a cause of frustration for colleagues and clients alike, as they exhibit a lack of interest in their tasks.
3. More Presenteeism
Presenteeism characterizes an employee as being physically present at the workplace but not actively adding value to the work environment. This behavior can arise from multiple factors, like overworking, fatigue, illness, burnout, personal issues, distractions, anxiety, and stress. Although attending work may seem like the appropriate course, employees often feel obliged to do so; however, mere attendance without active engagement is detrimental to the team. In reality, unproductive colleagues necessitate their coworkers to exert additional effort, potentially resulting in feelings of resentment among team members.
4. Rising Healthcare Costs
Long working hours can cause injury, illness, and unhealthy behaviors, leading to health issues like high blood pressure and cholesterol, unhealthy eating habits, and substance abuse.
5. Higher Employee Turnover
Given the negative impact on an employee’s personal life, it’s no surprise that many overworked individuals seek alternative employment. Your talented workforce is your most valuable asset, and when an employee leaves, they take with them unique experiences and knowledge. For longstanding employees, this may result in the loss of significant skills and insights. While replacing them is an impossible task, the organization still bears the cost of recruiting and training someone new.
The departure of just one employee to secure a less demanding job can spark the idea for others that success doesn’t require enduring long hours. Achieving a better work-life balance is feasible. To ensure your benefits remain competitive, it’s crucial to assess what others in your industry offer. Enlisting the assistance of a Salt Lake City recruitment firm can help evaluate your position and make necessary adjustments. To prevent overwork, organizations should prioritize employee health, provide adequate time off for illness and personal challenges, and foster a company culture that values and provides necessary tools.
source: https://perelson.com/why-productivity-suffers-when-employees-work-more/
Comments
Download this infographic.