Mobile technology, break times, telecommuting help
While technology limitations and employee burnout rank high on the list of things that decrease productivity, more than 70 per cent of employers and employees believe Canadian workers are more productive today than five years ago, according to a survey from Staples Canada.
For 55 per cent of employers and employees, mobile technology is important and viewed as aiding productivity in the workplace today while 40 per cent feel break times are beneficial. Telecommuting is viewed as an option that increases productivity among 58 per cent of companies that allow employees the flexibility to work remotely.
On the other hand, both employers and employees feel technology limitations (56 per cent), employee burnout (44 per cent) and non-collaborative work environments (36 per cent) are the top three reasons for decreased productivity in the workplace, found the survey of 386 employers and 304 employees.
Texting or emailing friends and family (59 per cent) or socializing with co-workers in the office (56 per cent) are viewed as the primary “personal business” time-wasters and productivity-limiting activities that employees engage in at work.
Despite mobile technology being touted as a tool for greater productivity, only 34 per cent of companies have a BYOD (bring your own device) policy, found the survey.
"We're seeing a trend in the right direction, with more than 70 per cent of employers and employees saying they're more productive now than five years ago," said Michael Zahra, president of Staples Advantage Canada, a division of Staples Canada. "But there are still improvements to be made, especially when it comes to having the right tools and resources."
