Speed up so that you can slow down!

A noticeable change in the weather usually signals the start of the race to the annual slowdown. In the lead up to the slowdown, the pressure in a business usually increases. Why? because knowing that a general holiday period is approaching means that a business will need to cram two months’ work into what is in reality a 5 week period!

During this time business productivity, and profits can take a nose dive whilst costs can increase. Having read the ONS report on sickness in the workplace, what really stands out is a significant rise in sickness rates as the weather turns, a lower rate in the traditional party season and an increase post holidays.

Many may say, “So what, there is nothing that I can do about the statistics, they are what they are!” – I disagree!

If we take a little time to consider what could be the underlying cause of these numbers then there is actually something we can do about it. Let me put a personal perspective on things! (Note – This perspective is from previous experiences!)

The weather turns, the nights draw in, the winter clothes come out! – my commute is more of a chore, my office is more uncomfortable, there are less people smiling because there a fewer reasons to smile, I’m fed up with the greyness, I don’t like the cold ………. My aches are a little more painful, I have a cold!

And yet……! When the party season arrives, I look forward to the commute because tonight we will have a social, the office is quite cheery, and people are smiling, the greyness and the cold – Is signalling a great time of year………….. I don’t notice my aches, I have a runny nose!

Post party season – There has to be a better job with less of a commute, new year – new targets – new increased workload, I am the only one feeling this so I just want to get my head down and get on with it – leave me alone, I am fed up with this miserable weather – Spring is never going to come……… I can hardly walk, I have FLU!

So the indication is, it is down to the way people are feeling! So think about the statement “there is nothing I can do” what about focussing on making the working environment the best it can be, it’s not uncomfortable, it’s conducive to productivity most of all it’s a place where people want to be.

Imagine if you could reduce absenteeism by 10%, this doesn’t sound a lot but if you think about the size of your organisation it could be significant – in an organisation of 100 people it is the same as an addition of 1.5 people for an entire year.

LCMB focusses on increasing the return on business assets, making environments productive is just one small way we can help you!

LCMB are pioneering a new approach to workplace productivity and increasing returns from people and built assets. The project, Whole Life Performance Plus (WLP+) has received funding under a grant from Innovate UK.

If you would like to understand how your organisation can benefit from the work that we do then please contact me or any member of our team.

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