Are Your Employees Really at Work?

To some, this may seem like a silly question. Of course my employees are working. They are here! However, many of you know exactly what I'm talking about--employees who show up most days for work, but are not really at work. They have mentally checked out of your organization, and chances are you don't even know it.

How many of these types of people do you have residing in your organization?

The Drifters

These are the people who drift in and out of work quietly. It may be lunchtime before you even realize that these employees haven't shown up, nor have they called in sick. That's because these people have made themselves invisible, and you've been so busy that you've failed to notice.

Minimalists

The term "minimalist" refers to anything that is spare or stripped to its essentials. In the art world, minimalism is in a class by itself. People often grow to appreciate this unique type of work. However, this is usually not the case in the world of work.

Minimalists are all too common. These are the people in organizations who are doing as little as it takes to get by. There is not much to say about these employees, except they usually take up a lot of space. Hopefully at some point, someone in your organization recognizes that the "less is more" theory at work isn't quite adding up and does something about it.

Work Horses

These are the people who have been running like the Energizer Bunny. They are moving full speed ahead, and they rarely stop to recharge. However, eventually even the bunny runs out of energy. Work horses will slow down, and at some point they will stop working. Some recover, while others search for greener pastures to repair the damage they have done to their systems.

If you are thinking there is not much you can do about any of these situations, then perhaps it's time for you to rethink your work. For the rest of you, here are some tips on how to re-engage and re-energize your employees so they are present at work.

Look in the Mirror

What type of example are you setting? Are you the manager who never leaves work until the sun goes down? Do you expect the same of those who work for you?

Start by getting a life. Find an activity that forces you to leave the office at a decent hour. Join a gym, take an art class, volunteer. Just do something! Chances are you will become more efficient and may even get more done by compacting your day. Then set new boundaries for your staff. Reward them for results, not face time.

Rejuvenate

Take time out of your workday to step away from your desk. Encourage your staff to do the same. For some people, that may mean meditating. For others, a long walk around the block will do the trick.

Reshuffle the Deck

It seems like we need to do more today with less resources. However, at what point is enough, enough? It is hard to do your best work when you know that you'll never get to the finish line. Even worse, you may get more work piled onto your desk if you do manage to do so.

Step back and look at the way work is being distributed among your team. Is it time to consider hiring temporary help to get things under control? Are some employees asked to do considerably more work than others? Reallocate the workload so team members can come back into balance.

Take the time to look around your workplace and evaluate the true commitment of people you call employees. While showing up for work is commendable, it is not enough to sustain an organization. Then be prepared to work toward creating an organization where workers are present in mind, body, and soul.

#LinkedinLearning

? Matuson Consulting, 2017. All Rights Reserved.

Did you know that in addition to our consulting services, we also advise business leaders? Reach out to me at [email protected] to learn more about our advisory and coaching services.

Like what you're reading? Sign up for my monthly newsletter, The Talent Maximizer?.