How Employers Should Handle Time-Wasting Activities

As spring weather arrives, employers may start to notice an increase in time-wasting activities by their employees. It is difficult to be stuck inside when the weather is nice. As a result, employees often turn to online activities, socializing with co-workers and other similar activities to distract them from the monotony of their job.

• Find a way to rally the troops each spring. Schedule a company-wide luncheon or other type of team-building activity. Make a point to let each employee know how he or she plays a role in achieving the company’s goals and commend those that make significant contributions.
• Try to figure out when employees are most tempted to waste time. For example, March Madness often results in office pools and tempts workers to sneak time to watch games and check scores. Instead of prohibiting employees from participating in the March Madness fun, set-up a TV in the break room and invite employees to eat lunch or a mid-afternoon snack and catch-up on the scores. This is an opportunity to take advantage of a time-wasting activity and turn it into an opportunity for your employees to bond and to see that you can have fun too.
• Consider ways to reward the employees who perform well. Whether it is verbal praise or a productivity bonus, recognition for hard work can be a strong motivator. It is often more effective to give smaller bonuses throughout the year as a reminder to employees that you are aware of their hard work, instead of just one larger bonus at the end of the year.