There’s a wealth of advice out there aimed at helping individuals increase their productivity – from time blocking and walking meetings to the Pomodoro Technique. But HR teams are uniquely positioned to take a more strategic view of employee productivity and devise interventions that actually make a difference.
In fact, many of the levers that organisations can pull to grow productivity sit within HR’s sphere. In 2022, we found that employers believe the top drivers behind better productivity include pay and salary (40%), bonuses and performance incentives (31%), and flexible working (30%).
But what else can HR do to improve employee productivity? Let’s explore some practical strategies, from smarter tech choices and deploying AI tools to embracing flexibility.
In this article
- Three HR strategies to increase productivity
- Tips for boosting employee productivity
- Using AI tools to boost productivity
- How HR can improve productivity
- We’re here to help you improve employee productivity
Three HR strategies to increase productivity
- Implement the right HR systems
Technology can either streamline or stall employee productivity. A carefully chosen and well-implemented HR system reduces admin time, improves data accuracy, and enhances the employee experience. Features like single sign-on, mobile access, and integration with payroll software, LMSs and employee benefits platforms make everyday tasks smoother.
- Support flexible working
Flexible working is no longer a perk. It’s an expectation. Allowing employees to work from home or adjust their hours can reduce stress, improve work-life balance, and increase output. A 2013 Stanford study found that remote workers were 13% more productive and took fewer sick days. HR can support this by setting clear expectations, providing the right tools, and fostering a culture of trust. For organisations that particularly value in-person collaboration, hybrid models – where employees split time between home and the office – can offer the best of both worlds.
- Invest in employee wellbeing
Wellbeing isn’t just about health: it’s about feeling valued, supported, and motivated. And happiness can have a big impact on employee productivity. In fact, a 2009 study by the University of Warwick found that happy employees were 12% more productive.
HR can boost wellbeing through mental health support, recognition programmes, and opportunities for growth. Regular check-ins, anonymous surveys, and open-door policies help identify issues early. Even simple gestures, like a thank-you note for a job well done or marking a birthday or workplace anniversary, can go a long way to build morale.
If you’re serious about supporting wellbeing, make sure your employees all have the same foundational knowledge. Our suite of wellbeing eLearning courses, with topics ranging from looking after yourself to supporting others with their mental health, is here to help, and can be deployed to your LMS in weeks.
Tips for boosting employee productivity: simple changes that work
- Get the lighting right
Ample lighting not only makes it easier to see what you’re doing, but it’s also much healthier than a dimly lit office. Having to strain your eyes to read and sitting in front of a computer screen for hours on end will not only result in lower productivity but can also cause headaches and drowsiness.
It’s vital to have the right type of lighting too. Natural light is most desirable. A 2014 study by Northwestern Medicine and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that workers who were exposed to higher levels of natural light in their workplace slept for longer (an average of 46 minutes per night) slept better and were more physically active than those workers who weren’t.
- Create comfortable workspaces
Discomfort at our desks – whether they’re standing or conventional – is important for maintaining productivity and concentration levels. Constantly fidgeting, getting up and moving around to escape an uncomfortable seat, and having to frequently adjust a chair will all eat into valuable time.
Investing in good chairs is a start, but HR should also make sure that employees know how to set up their desk environment for maximum productivity and safety, as back pain and headaches can often be attributed to poor desk ergonomics. Investing in online desk assessments and eLearning courses is a good way to ensure that your staff are aware of the health considerations when working with computer equipment and have set up their desks appropriately. Don’t forget: an ergonomical, comfortable desk setup is just as important for your hybrid and remote workers as it is for your office-based teams.
Comfort can also be affected by the amount of unnecessary clutter you have on your desk. Two-fifths (40%) of UK workers surveyed by Brother in 2017 said that an untidy workspace made them less productive. A further quarter (25%) said messy colleagues had a negative impact on their productivity. Encourage employees to keep their desks tidy and you could see an improvement in productivity levels.
- Reduce noises and distractions
A steady hum of background chatter is part and parcel of working in most offices. But office noise levels – which usually range from between 60 to 65 decibels – can make it hard to concentrate. In Germany, for example, there is a legal noise standard of just 55 decibels for ‘mentally stressful tasks’, and 70 decibels for ‘mechanized [sic] office work’. So if your work environment is naturally noisy, finding ways to lower noise levels or providing employees with quiet spaces for work that requires concentration, can help staff to be more productive.
A 2011 study by Cornell University found that office workers who were exposed to higher levels of office noise had higher levels of epinephrine – a stress hormone more commonly known as adrenaline – compared to those working in a quieter environment. Remember, your neurodiverse staff may be particularly sensitive to fluctuations in noise level.
Need help creating a supportive environment for neurodiverse staff?
- Encourage healthy eating
Make the wrong choice at lunchtime and your productivity can take a nosedive in the afternoon. Tuck into foods such as pasta, bread and fizzy drinks – all of which release glucose quickly – and you could be heading for a sugar crash come 3pm.
It’s far better to encourage employees to choose healthy, filling foods that are a source of energy, fibre and nutrients and release glucose comparatively slowly, such as baked potatoes and pulses (like beans and lentils). Don’t forget about snacks either. Consider making fresh fruit available on the house so staff aren’t tempted to graze on chocolate and sweets.
Make use of AI tools to boost HR’s productivity
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to change how we all work. That includes how HR operates, how employees do their jobs, and how HR teams support employees and managers.
The right AI tools, deployed sensitively and backed by robust security policies and training, can take care of repetitive or admin-heavy tasks. So employees spend more time on strategic work and HR professionals can focus on enabling their organisations to hit their commercial goals.
Here are five ways that HR teams can use AI tools to boost their productivity.
- Automate routine tasks
AI can handle repetitive admin tasks such as scheduling interviews, approving time off requests, and answering FAQs. Chatbots, for example, can provide instant responses to common HR queries. This automation allows HR professionals to focus on initiatives that require human judgement and empathy.
- Enhance recruitment processes
AI-powered recruitment tools can scan CVs, rank candidates, and even conduct initial video interviews using natural language processing.
- Improve employee engagement
AI can analyse employee feedback, emails, and survey responses to detect sentiment and flag potential issues. So you can be more proactive and less reactive.
- Personalise learning journeys
Some LMS solutions feature AI tools that can tailor eLearning course recommendations based on an employee’s role, goals, and performance.
- Simplify performance reviews
Our HR software features AI tools that make it simpler for employees and managers to complete performance reviews. With a click of a button, you can summarise previous monthly review forms to give a comprehensive view of the past year’s performance. So everyone has more impactful career conversations
How HR can improve productivity
So how can HR improve employee productivity in a meaningful and sustainable way? It starts with understanding what employees need to do their best work – and then delivering it.
- Listen to feedback and act on it. Use surveys, suggestion boxes, and one-to-ones to gather insights
- Provide training and development opportunities. Help employees grow with access to courses, mentoring, and career pathways
- Recognise achievements, big and small. Celebrate wins publicly and reward effort consistently
- Foster a positive culture. Build trust, encourage collaboration, and promote inclusivity
- Provide employees with the digital tools they need to succeed (and the training they need to get the most out of these tools)
By taking a proactive, people-first approach, HR can drive real improvements in productivity and prove its value as a strategic partner in business success.
We’re here to help you improve employee productivity
We’re on a mission to give HR professionals the tools and support they need to make an impact – at board level and beyond. Our intuitive HR software is packed with tools you need to power up employee productivity, from automated workflows to AI and advanced analytics tools that help you decide and refine your strategic priorities. Request your demo now to find how our solutions can help to solve your challenges.
This article was first published in April 2016. It was updated in May 2018, August 2019, June 2023 and June 2025 for freshness, accuracy and clarity.