Discover Self Help

Today in the workplace, we seem to see two types of people: the doers and the slackers. Why is it that some people produce while others seemingly shuffle paper? Are you a productive employee? If so you can do your bit as an employee to restore balance. If there are too many employees that cannot manage their time efficiently your organization can lose production.

If you want to increase productivity and help employees manage their tasks better you can give real value to your company. Approach your supervisor and ask if you can take over time management. Explain that you believe production is down due to lack of time management skills. Ask if you can mentor some of those employees who seem to lack the knack of getting projects out on time. If this method is approved, have the supervisor call a meeting and announce that time management skills will be taught in house. It may take you a bit of extra time to instill the time management techniques, but what you get back will be invaluable to the team. Training may even save a few employees in the company from getting fired. These people might be great employees that simply lack the skill to manage their time.

Start by interviewing each employee and determining their workload. During the interview, find out the individual’s daily duties. After gathering this information, use a simple computer program to print schedules for all employees and then begin the meetings. Explain the basic principles of time management to them and show them the schedule you have created for them. Encourage them to use this schedule or come up with one on their own. Include researched topics on relaxation and the effects of stress on health.

You should only need a few meetings but be sure to explain that the schedules were distributed to everybody to help meet deadlines. Also, find out if struggling employees have had a personal loss recently. These types of traumas can be a real set-back in the workplace. If this is the reason the employee is struggling, try and work one on one to reduce their workload during their adjustment time.

Finally, talk about de-stressing with hobbies and relaxation. We work to provide shelter, food and clothing but what about our emotional selves? Remind them that if they do not enrich their lives, work and time management take on no real meaning. Achieving some sort of balance in their lives through proper time management techniques will make for happier, more productive employees at the work place.