Month: April 2017

A productive workforce, reduced absenteeism, increased employee morale and competitive advantage when attracting top talent….

According to a number of recent surveys, these are just some of the benefits achievable through a well-designed workplace environment.

For those of you wondering where to start with regard to optimising your office layout, fixtures and fittings; here are six relatively subtle examples to consider before consulting your local Feng-Shui Master!

Good Air Quality – In addition to the detrimental impact which poor air circulation has on employee productivity, there are also various health concerns such as fatigue, headaches and those niggly coughs! On the other hand, a good supply of oxygen is reinvigorating and capable of significantly enhancing a person’s concentration and energy levels. In order to maintain ample air quality, organisations should install efficient ventilation systems, purchase office plants and introduce regular ‘open window’ policies (weather permitting of course!).

Optimum Temperature – Is everyone familiar with Goldilocks and the Three Bears? Well, it’s kind of the same scenario with employee productivity. If an office is too hot or too cold, workers are likely to become distracted and hence less productive. According to numerous studies, a temperature of around 22°C is just right!

Appropriate Lighting – Another factor which affects both employee productivity and well-being. Organisations are advised to subject their employees to as much natural light as possible, not only will they feel more energised whilst at work; natural light also improves a person’s sleep patterns and general quality of life. When the supply of natural light is limited, employers must consider the effect that artificial light has on their staff. Workspaces that are too light or too dark can incur headaches, eyestrain and migraines.

Motivational Office Decor – According to psychologists, certain colours play important roles in heightening specific aspects of employee performance including enhancing productivity, sparking creativity and even facilitating physical exertion. If you are looking to increase productivity, make sure that your workplace decor contains plenty of green! Displaying artwork around the office is also believed to be an effective motivator, examples include paintings, photography and posters incorporating inspirational quotes.

A Change of Scenery at Break Times – Many organisations now provide a place for their employees to ‘chill out’ during break periods, specifically designed to take their minds off work for a short while. Break rooms come in all shapes and sizes; some firms prefer a quiet place with comfy sofas where employees can talk and unwind while others have introduced ‘games rooms’ equipped with pool tables, dartboards, table tennis, foosball and even games consoles!

Provision of Complementary Healthy Snacks – Another recent survey which investigated the effects of free snacks on organisational morale, discovered that one of the quickest ways to an employee’s heart was through their stomach! The study also revealed numerous ‘brain foods’ capable of boosting productivity, memory and focus. Employers, don’t forget to add nuts, eggs, blueberries and bananas to your shopping list!

Are you looking to become more productive?

Ceequel® Employee Management Software delivers an unparalleled workforce management solution. Our intelligent time and attendance systems enable organisations to monitor employee attendance, configure complex shift patterns, streamline clocking to payroll processes and counteract absenteeism. If you would like to learn more about Ceequel® time and attendance or any of our other human resource management software modules, please contact ELF Productivity.

A range of brochures are also available to download from our website, please click here to view our downloads section.

Here we have an infographic outlining the various phases of the data-driven, continuous improvement methodology DMAIC. We also touch upon some of the outstanding features of Ceequel® Shop Floor Data Capture, the ideal solution to successfully execute the DMAIC process.

If you would like to learn more about Ceequel® Shop Floor Data Capture software, please click here. A range of brochures are also available to download from our website. Click here to view our downloads section.

Unfortunately for organisations, employee turnover is both costly and unavoidable. In addition, the recruitment and onboarding of suitable replacements often entails considerable work for HR departments. While there is no universally accepted ‘ideal’ or ‘optimum’ staff turnover rate; organisations that exceed the UK average figure of 15% per year are advised to investigate why their employees are leaving.

With that in mind, here are eight frequently recurring reasons why employees may be heading for the exit:

‘I Need a New Challenge’ – A popular explanation provided by employees when handing in their notice, particularly among those who have been with a company for over five years. It’s all a matter of preference at the end of the day; many people become content with their routine while others shudder at the thought of doing the same thing every day for 10 or 20 years.

A Lack of Job Satisfaction – Another instance that depends heavily on individual perception. How do you define ‘job satisfaction’? Generally, employees who find their roles interesting, challenging and enjoyable are unlikely to leave.

Unmet Personal & Professional Needs – Taking into account personal needs first, many employees will look to leave an organisation in order to improve their work/life balance. In a bid to retain their personnel, a growing number of UK-based employers are introducing flexi-time initiatives and remote working opportunities. On a professional level, career progression and self-actualisation can be key motivators. Workers who find themselves ‘reaching a ceiling’ with little room for advancement and no training and development opportunities will look elsewhere to fulfil their potential.

Personality Clashes – You spend a lot of time at work with your colleagues so it helps to get along. A warm, friendly workplace environment with good conversation and high levels of collaboration can make all the difference. Alternatively, personality clashes between co-workers can be a ticking time bomb, often ending with one or more of the involved parties leaving the organisation.

Managerial Discrepancies – Employees may also seek to leave if they feel that they aren’t being managed appropriately by their supervisors. Managers come in all shapes and sizes, often with highly contrasting approaches to getting the best out of their staff. It is often a case of employees either being under-managed by Laissez-Fair disciples or over-managed by autocratic disciplinarians!

Undervalued & Overworked – If employees are under the impression that their hard work isn’t being recognised, they will soon become disillusioned. Morale will also take a hit if the reward for good work is more work! In addition, before they inevitably head for the exit, overworked employees are also more susceptible to stress and burnout.

Money, Money, Money – While the allure of more money for similar work can be difficult to ignore; the influence of pay and other financial incentives on employee turnover throughout the UK appears to be waning. The contemporary, millennial dominated workforce tends to place more emphasis on flexible working opportunities and career progression to name but a few alternative desirables.

Daily Commute – Trapped for hours on end in traffic, multiple busses, a stray elbow on the train; oh yes, a troublesome daily commute could soon see even the most content of employees seeking pastures new!

Revolutionise your HR processes with the award-winning Ceequel® Software Suite!

Our dynamic human resource management software contains over 20 standard views, delivering a comprehensive overview of company personnel. Create detailed employee records comprising of: personal details, employment history, appraisal information, qualifications, absences and any previous disciplinary incidents. In addition, all training and development activities and new starter inductions can be managed effectively utilising our innovative Training, Skills and Resource Matrix and New Starter Wizard respectively.

Furthermore, our intelligent time and attendance solutions enable organisations to coordinate contrasting shift patterns and flexi-time balances. Remote clocking and employee activity tracking features are also available to monitor employees working off-site.

If you would like to learn more about Ceequel®, please contact ELF Productivity. A range of brochures are also available to download from our website, click here to view our downloads section.

Following in the footsteps (or paw prints) of household names: Google, Amazon, Nestle and (maybe not so surprisingly) Pets at Home; an increasing number of UK workplaces are becoming ‘pet-friendly’. This rapidly growing trend has seen organisations on both sides of the Atlantic introducing perks such as monthly ‘bring your dog to work’ days or on-site pet crèches; some even enroll pets as company employees!

Throughout this post, we’re going to investigate the positive impact that our furry friends can have on employees and organisations as a whole, taking into account findings from a number of recent surveys. Some of the finer details will also be addressed with regard to the successful implementation of ‘pet-friendly’ workplace policies.

Let’s start with the positives:

Reduction in Employee Stress Levels – The rise in employee absences attributable to stress and other mental health issues has been well documented over the past year. Interestingly, a study conducted by the International Journal of Workplace Health Management discovered that employees who interacted with their pets during the day experienced a noticeable increase in stress-reducing hormones.

Improved Employee Performance & Job Satisfaction – These two go hand in hand, happy and content employees are generally productive employees! According to recent figures, UK-based ‘pet-friendly’ organisations enjoyed considerable reductions in absences and increases in employee productivity and performance. Furthermore, when quizzed on the subject, employees of ‘pet-friendly’ companies were also more inclined to work longer hours.

Promotion of a Healthy Lifestyle – Many of us spend a significant proportion of our day sitting in one place which can be detrimental to our health. A ‘pet-friendly’ workplace however, provides a number of opportunities for employees to become more active, dog owners in particular. Your pooch needs walkies and so do you! If you live within walking distance of the office, great; if not, make sure you get out for a brisk walk at lunchtime.

Team Building – ‘Pet-friendly’ initiatives can also be effective drivers with regard to improving trust, communication and collaboration between colleagues. A recent university study investigating the effects of workplace pets on organisational culture and atmosphere found that employees of ‘pet-friendly’ organisations tended to have a better rapport with their co-workers.

Unique Selling Point (USP) – It’s all about standing out from the crowd at the end of the day! Positioning yourself as a ‘pet-friendly’ organisation can do wonders for your company profile and brand image. Market research suggests that ‘pet-friendly’ organisations are perceived to be warm and forward-thinking. In addition, pet owner perks also play a crucial role in attracting top talent to your business and reducing staff turnover, most notably with millennial candidates.

Sounds like a no-brainer, doesn’t it?

Before you start making room for beds, play pens, water bowls and squeaky toys; here are those aforementioned finer details:

Firstly, the implementation of ‘pet-friendly’ policies creates considerable work for an organisation’s HR department. Risk assessments should be carried out to ensure the workplace is suitable and that all pets visiting the workplace possess the appropriate temperament to do so. Any allergies or phobias suffered by employees must also be taken into account. Company protocols outlining the responsibilities of pet owners and any corresponding documentation would then need to be distributed to all staff members.

No matter what species your employees belong to, workforce management is always a walk in the park with Ceequel® Software Suite!

Developed by award-winning time and attendance specialists ELF Productivity, Ceequel® delivers a true holistic solution to an organisation’s: time and attendance, access control, human resource management and shop floor data capture requirements.

To learn more about Ceequel®, please contact ELF Productivity. A range of brochures are also available to download from our website, click here to view our downloads section.