Workplace Complacency: Combat the silent threat to productivity and growth

In our previous posts, ‘Your guide to the great talent hunt’, and ‘Keeping your top talent: Cost effective ways to keep employees engaged’, we explored the current challenges UK SMEs face in the talent war, sharing some great ideas for how you can compete against high salaries and costly benefits packages for both your recruitment and retention strategies.

Now we want to explore how workplace complacency is something you need to have on your radar. It is the latest silent threat creeping into workplaces that could be hindering your innovation, productivity, growth plans, and overall success.

What is workplace complacency?

Workplace complacency refers to a state of contentment or satisfaction with the status quo. This might not sound too bad. It might also sound like good employee engagement if people are happy and content.

However, employees who have become comfortable with their routines can also be resistant to change, less motivated, lacking in drive and less willing to go the extra mile. This can stifle creativity, limit growth potential, negatively impact productivity, and ultimately impact a company’s bottom line.

The signs of complacency

Recognising the signs of complacency is crucial for taking proactive measures. Some common indicators include:

• Decreased productivity: Employees may take longer to complete tasks or produce lower quality work.
• Lack of initiative: Individuals may hesitate to take on new challenges or offer innovative ideas.
• Resistance to change: Employees may resist new processes, technologies, or ways of working.
• Low morale: Apathy and disengagement can spread throughout the team, affecting overall morale.
• Less interest in engagement activities: Employees who previously took part in engagement initiatives or team bonding activities, are less inclined to join in.

All of these could be a sign of workplace complacency creeping in. It has become more prevalent since the pandemic when lots of people experienced burnout or emotional trauma. Or they felt displaced, not needed, or undervalued; maybe because of furlough, working remotely, or feeling isolated.

Strategies to combat complacency

1. Make sure employees feel valued: This is something that takes consistency and commitment, it’s not something you can achieve overnight. Regular one-on-ones, team meetings, sharing of information and an open communication loop. Highlighting the role every person plays in the success of the company. All these things will help to instil a feeling of being valued. If there is a chance someone might be worrying about job insecurity or job progression, this is also something to explore with them, set their mind at rest or help put future plans in place.
2. Recognise and reward effort: Acknowledge and celebrate employees’ contributions, both big and small. A shout-out to someone in a team meeting, or via a companywide email, goes a long way.
3. Promote collaboration: Encourage teamwork and cross-team projects to foster a sense of shared purpose and encourage fresh perspectives. It might also reinvigorate feelings of purpose and direction.
4. Set clear goals and expectations: Define clear objectives, provide regular feedback, and recognise achievements. This helps employees understand their role in the company’s success. It’s about encouraging people on to the journey.
5. Encourage innovation: Create a safe space for employees to share ideas, experiment, and take calculated risks.
6. Foster a culture of continuous learning: Encourage employees to upskill, attend training sessions, and explore new areas of interest. This helps to keep their minds sharp and motivated. Find out what their aspirations are and see how you can support them.
7. Promote a healthy work-life balance: Make sure people are working the right hours, not burning out, are taking time out when needed etc. Encourage the taking of lunch breaks, and don’t turn a blind eye to overworking.
8. A new project or company goal: If there has been a significant period where things have been tough across a business; maybe through monotony, or due to lack of scope for investment or development, or maybe just a negative period for everyone for whatever reason. A good call can be to create a companywide goal or project that can inject a bit of oomph. Something that can be tracked and get people galvanised and excited again.

By implementing these strategies, businesses can create a dynamic and engaging workplace where complacency is replaced with a thirst for knowledge, a drive for excellence, and a passion for growth.

Remember:

A motivated and engaged workforce is a company’s greatest asset. Work together to combat complacency and unlock the full potential of your people.

We recruit throughout the East Midlands covering Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland and the surrounding areas, especially Market Harborough, Lutterworth, Leicester, Corby and Kettering. We help people find their perfect job and match suitable job seekers with businesses looking to hire the best candidates across our five specialisms – Sales, Marketing, Accountancy & Finance, HR and Office