by Starla Ross

Created on: February 08, 2011   Last Updated: March 21, 2012

Social media seems to have taken over every area of culture, and the workplace is no exception.  Employees using unlimited internet connection can sometimes result in hours spent on Facebook, online shopping, banking, emailing and chatting.  While one employee spending three minutes on Facebook seems fairly innocent, thirty employees on Facebook results in ninety minutes of lost work time.  Consider also that employees don't just check their personal email or Facebook accounts one time per day, they may check them ten times per day.  And this doesn't include the time spent on personal shopping or texting.

In addition to social media, excess small talk and chatting with co-workers can lead to wasting time on the job.

Reducing distractions at work can result in higher profits for a business.  How?

1.  Focused employees equal more productivity.

Employees who are focused solely on work will automatically be more focused on the task at hand.  Without distractions, employees are more likely to focus on their jobs and finish in shorter time.  When employees produce more work with the same amount of people, there is high productivity (and higher satisfaction in service-oriented jobs).

Employers that offer training in time management see employees who are better organized and structured.  Some employers even provide time management software or daily planners to their employees in efforts to produce better time management.  When employees learn to manage their time at work, they may also be better organized at home which also benefits the employer.  Employees who cannot come to work because they've misplaced keys, don't have a backup babysitter, or can't find a ride to work are a liability to the company.  

2.  Higher productivity equals better results.

Employees who see time management as a skill, will try to find ways in which time can be better utilized at work.  These employees are more likely to see if there's a way tasks can be streamlined to save on time.  The process of assembling a product may be done in four steps instead of three.  Placing the paper recycle bin next to the copier may save employees from having to walk through six cubicles, making small talk with each person along the way.  Even streamlining the employee cafeteria line can save time.

Many companies have developed programs that reward employees for coming up with time-saving and money-saving ideas.  These programs have been highly successful and benefit the business in many ways, including financially.

3.  Better results equal higher profits.

Any time an employer can better utilize its employees to save time in production and services, the result will be a reduction in expenses or an increase in productivity.  Employees that are organized and efficient are an asset to any business.  In many instances, they're a company's largest asset.  Seeing time management as a skill allows employees to feel indispensable and needed and ultimately brings the business higher profits.

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