Productivity compromised by Covid19

Pandemic sets off changes that will last a long time

Embrace shift to online channels, use of technology in workplaces

Employers urged to develop working from home policies

LUDO MAPHORISA

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

Employees understand that workplace productivity is a top priority for the success of a company or organization, however most employees are also worried about their health, community and economic stability. 

Secretary General of the Botswana Federation of Public Sector Union (BOFEPUSU), Tobokani Rari said the output of employees at the workplace in relation to the set performance objectives of both the individuals and the company is not an exception to the pandemics negative effects. He said productivity in the workplace is undoubtedly an issue of concern because it is the make or break of a company or institution. Tabuya Tau CFO of Hollard Insurance Company Botswana and Chairman of Sechaba Brewery Holdings Ltd expands on the importance of productivity with emphasis on efficiency, “One of the key areas of concern when it comes to productivity is how to accomplish efficiency and be equally conscious about the quality of the work. As leaders we emphasize that efficiency, effectiveness and quality are the inseparable triplets of maximum productivity is the aim” she said.

There are many drivers of workforce productivity and of the many, Rari pointed out issues of welfare, resources and issues of health wellness as the key drivers. Rari highlighted that if welfare of employees is well taken care of, then they get motivated, and productivity goes up. Furthermore, if employees are more often out of the workplace owing to issues of health and wellness, productivity gets negatively affected. In some instances the  availability of resources that are used in production have been affected by the pandemic which has affected employees ability to produce at their maximum best and shortage of such resources cripples productivity. “Relating productivity to COVID-19 times we can all agree that for most companies with beleaguered employees, extreme loss suffered by many, newly transitioned remote workers, and non-traditional work schedules, productivity has taken a knock. The pandemic has made us realize more that productivity dips will happen not out of choice. People are stressed by loss, illness, mental exhaustion stressors like media overstimulation, hectic home environments and this tends to show up in the caliber of their work” said Tau.

Organizations have had to be agile in responding to the effects of COVID-19 in the workplace. Rari said organizations that have proven alert and sharp to dealing with COVID-19 in the work place have had to decongest workplaces, implement shift work for employees, implement the working from home policy and the use of technology. Adding to the agility of organizations to deal with COVID-19 Tau said the value of workplace productivity now comes from innovation. “In my organization we have had to differentiate ourselves with better ideas in an increasingly competitive business landscape. We have had to be bold and innovative in response to the pandemic shifting rapidly to online channels, automated tasks and using virtual faster decision making platforms” said Tau.

The pandemic has set off changes that will last a long time. Rari and Tau stressed the necessity of investing in digital skills and technology to support and improve productivity in the work place during COVID-19. “The new working environment has changed our understanding of work-life-balance. As employees work from home, CEO’s and HR managers must bear in mind that there are a number of non-work related factors that can affect an employee’s mindset and therefore their engagement” said Tau. Tau pointed out that the work from home structure has sometimes created an “always working” expectation distorting the work-home boundaries which could potentially blunt productivity and engagement.

To prevent diminishing productivity in the workplace within the work from home structure, Rari said that employees should be given clear work objectives, deliverables and companies should have working from home policies. Adding on to policies that promote productivity during COVID-19 Tau said some workplace policies to create flexibility for employees dealing with COVID-19 or who care for affected family members may need to be introduced. Tau concluded that communication is at the crux of employee engagement in this new era. Owing to that CEO’s and HR managers should provide regular updates and information on the future of business, organizational goals and strategies to cushion the effects of the pandemic.