How to Improve Workplace Productivity During the Summer

Office productivity seems to be a perpetual issue, perhaps because the quest for perfect productivity levels is simply unreachable.

Maybe the trick is in the tendency towards perfection that leads to optimal productivity. Summer months are definitely the most challenging in these terms; this is the time when the spring hype is slowly waning, while the heat waves seem to be brooding over our heads.

Seeing as how the summer months are definitely the most difficult ones in terms of boosting office productivity, we decided to round up a list of solutions that might just help you out.

Water, water, water

Any fitness expert will tell you that hydration is not only a pillar of quality exercise, but a necessary part of maintaining a healthy workout.

Things aren’t that different from working during the summer months, no matter how well ventilated and airconditioned your office is.

A lot of sweating is involved in the summer commute, and your employees are going to need readily-available hydration at their disposal.

You need to provide your workers with an easy access to water and cool beverages; if you don’t, the lack of hydration will have a toll on their productivity since they aren’t going to be motivated enough to take a walk to the vending machine every 15 minutes.

Let them take breaks more often

Every employee needs to ‘clear their head’ every once in a while, but during the summer months, this term becomes literal.

With all the air conditioning devices working “full-time”, the air tends to become stale, which is why experts advise going out for some fresh air every hour or so.

Do not be strict here, especially when it’s scorching heat outside; in fact, you should even advise your workers to go out and take 5-minute breathers.

If you fail to do this, you can rest assured that your productivity levels are bound to start dropping.

Establish a good airflow

Sure, a strong HVAC system will keep things cool, but this is not enough, especially in terms of establishing fresh airflow.

The majority of air conditioning devices don’t work well with open windows, so you are forced to constantly switch between open windows and turning these devices on and off.

One of the best solutions here is opting for a portable air conditioner from LG for every desk in your office.

Your employees can turn these on while the windows are open, keeping the place cool and the airflow constant.

Allow them to take time off

There is no kindergarten or school during the summer months, and some of your employees are likely to have little children.

Family activities are among the biggest distractions that lead to drops in productivity during the summer months.

In the goal of minimizing this type of obstruction, you need to make sure that you provide your workforce with appropriate time off.

Look at it as recharge time: much like your smartphone, your employees need proper time off to recharge their batteries in order to function.

This is best done by planning ahead – if everything is happening according to plan, your company’s productivity will remain in its highs, even when a solid part of your workforce is on their breaks.

Make the most out of daylight

The day is at its longest during the summer months and this is a perfect opportunity to let the natural light in.

Sunlight has been known as a great productivity booster, and even the innovative LED lights aren’t nearly as efficient as the light that the nature has provided us with.

Lift those blinds, take off those curtains, introduce mirrors; whatever helps boosting the natural light inside your office.

In fact, you should even encourage your employees to go outside – adding vitamin D to the mix will definitely help you increase your in-office productivity! Even 5 minutes of exercising outside can boost both the mood and self-esteem, the pillars of professional productivity.

Think in broad terms: team lunches in the park, open café brainstorming sessions, trips to the golf course…In short, be creative!

The summer months may be the most distracting ones within a year, but if you plan things properly, they can actually make sure that your team is at its most productive.

Take care that there is always plenty of water to go around in your office, let your employees take breaks and time off more often, ensure good airflow, and bring in as much natural light as possible. Soon enough, the results will start showing.