By Christabel DANSO ABEAM
In A bid to enhance workplace efficiently and drive economic development, Mary Anane Awuku, Chief Executive officer (CEO) Facility Pro and Managing Director of Brain Hill International School, in an interview after a CEO Breakfast Series event in Accra indicated that employee productivity plays a critical role in revitalising the economy – hence the need for businesses to adopt calculated measures which increase productivity.
The event, themed ‘Rebooting the economy‘, was organised by Rivia – a network of smart clinics in Ghana – with the aim of bringing together CEOs to share proven strategies and insights on improving workforce engagement and rebooting economic performance.
Ms. Anane Awuku established that primary effective communication between employers and workers is one of the key ways to achieve a strong workplace performance.
“Most employees do not get their voices heard and, out of that, they are not able to be productive. They are not able to share with employers some important ideas,” she noted.
She said it would be ideal for employers to have forums and the like in order to create an atmosphere wherein both parties can share ideas while learning from each other – adding that involving stakeholders in decision-making makes them feel valued and develop a sense of belonging, which encourages them to work harder.
The CEO further proposed Continuous Professional Development (CPD) as another effective way of ensuring effective employee productivity. According to her, even though workers are experienced in the roles they have been employed for, they come from various backgrounds; therefore, the introduction of CPD helps identify their shortfalls and boost performance in their field of work.
She also indicated that good monitoring systems and the use of mentors at workplaces make employees more accountable and productive. Ms. Anane Awuku said: “When good monitoring systems are put in place in order to get full knowledge of happenings in the company, it is also important to have mentorship programmes whereby long-serving and experienced staff mentor new and inexperienced colleagues. This help boosts the confidence of new employees and, by extension, their mental and emotional wellbeing”.
Organisational culture is also another strategy to enhance workplace efficiency. According to her, it is very important for employers to make sure there is a non-toxic environment for productivity. She advised that employees should be trained to understand the values and culture governing an institution they work for in order to encourage uniformity.
Motivation through reward was also recommended in the process of ensuring high input of work, which in turn boost the economy.
“There should be a good reward system in place. This helps to motivate employees when they are working because they know whatever they do is being observed and rewarded. As those who put in efforts to make the organisation thrive are rewarded, so should those who go against company’s policies be punished in order to encourage discipline.”
Lastly, she suggested, wellness and counselling units as an important factor for work efficiency. On her part, some employees will feel more comfortable speaking to experts like psychologists when it comes to sharing personal or emotional issue; hence the need to have such programmes in an organisation. She indicated that this helps address challenges or shortfalls and issues affecting their mental health.
Labour expert and CEO-GAMEY and GAMEY, Austin Akufo Gamey blamed employees’ poor performance on non-application of laws that are set up to guide and assist employers.
“The constitution states among other things, Article 36(11), that the state shall carry the participation of workers in decision-making processes. This is why the labour law has been made, but employers have either refused or are making little application of the law.”
He further stressed that every worker when employed desires to contribute in growth of the business to enable him or her enjoy continuity – reiterating the importance of communication between employer and employee.
He also encouraged employers to formulate policies and programmes that set targets and give Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to employees. While doing this, he established that to achieve positive results it is very important to ensure provision of all facilities, equipment and tools in order to enable a worker perform his or her duties.
Speaking on the productivity rate of remote employees compared to those working from a physical office, he emphasised that in-person work remains the more productive option.
