11 ways to be more productive at work

Interesting work boosted 40 per cent of the workforce

UK workplace productivity is currently lagging behind many of its European neighbours (Alamy)

UK employees say interesting work and being able to use their initiative boosts their productivity, according to a new report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

With UK workplace productivity currently lagging behind many of its European neighbours, the CIPD’s latest Employee Outlook Survey, prepared in partnership with Halogen Software, asked more than 2,000 UK employees what boosts their productivity in its latest report to identify employees’ attitudes toward working life.

Interesting work boosted 40 per cent of the workforce, followed very closely by 39 per cent who said their productivity improved if they were allowed to take their own initiative in a project.

“Our findings reveal that it doesn’t take rocket science to boost employee productivity, rather simple changes to the content of job roles and the control employees have in their day-to-day jobs could make a real difference,” said Claire McCartney Research Adviser, Resourcing and Talent Planning at the CIPD.

Other important enablers of productive work include resources necessary to do the job (31 per cent) and tasks that complement an employee’s skills (25 per cent).

The biggest blocks to employees’ productivity were not having the resources to do the job correctly (28 per cent), unnecessary rules and procedures (28 per cent) and office politics (24 per cent).

“Productivity at work has been a real focus this year for employers and policy-makers, but it’s easy to forget that the most important perspective on the productivity debate is that of employees themselves,” said Ms McCartney.

“This survey gives us unique insight into what workers feel affects how well they work, and the answer is much simpler than many would probably assume.”

Full list of work factors that help employees to be productive:

Work that I find interesting – 40%

Being able to use my initiative – 39 %

Having the resources I need to do my job – 31 %

When I am given tasks to complement my skills- 25

Working as part of a team – 22 %

Flexible working – 21 %

Having a supportive line manager – 19 %

A secure employment status 18 %

Training and skill development – 13 %

Being able to contribute to new ideas – 11 %

Technological innovations – 7 %

Other – 3 %