Increase Productivity

You can’t trust anyone these days, they say. But for the sake of your health, says one new study, maybe you should.

University of Missouri researchers have found that people who trust their neighbors have better self-reported health.

Says study author Eileen Bjornstrom, “Because human beings engage in interpersonal comparisons in order to gauge individual characteristics, it … Continue Reading »

When many people think “workplace safety,” they picture slips, trips, and falls. If it were so simple, safety training would consist of little more than “Be careful.”

Take ergonomics, for example. This common office buzzword sometimes seems like little more than a scientific term for comfort, but it belongs under the safety umbrella just as much … Continue Reading »

Your workers probably won’t send out an SOS when they’re sinking under the weight of too much work.

These days, with corporate layoffs so prevalent and employees determined to avoid showing weakness of any kind, voicing a complaint about being overloaded just doesn’t seem like an option.

But from your perspective, it should be.

Employees who are dealing … Continue Reading »

Hard as it is for productivity-minded employers to accept, some workdays are just a wash.

The reasons are endless: a sleepless night, stress, burnout, illness, or even distracting co-workers. Whatever the cause, it keeps them from giving their jobs their full attention and their best performance.

Because wasted time is wasted money, your company’s bottom line may … Continue Reading »

As your employees filter back to work after the holidays, it may take some time for them to get back into the swing of things.

While that’s to be expected after a brief respite from the daily grind, you need to keep an eye out for certain signs that may mean your employees have bigger problems … Continue Reading »

Obese employees may be costing you more than just health-care dollars.

Hiding behind all the well-known costs of obesity is one that you might not have considered: Productivity.

New research indicates that obesity and its associated problems may hit your business to the tune of as much as $73.1 billion.

The main culprit? Presenteeism, which describes workers … Continue Reading »

If your employees are yawning their way through the workday, maybe you should hand them a pillow.

The pros of napping at work are getting more attention recently thanks to a number of companies that are allowing their staff members to catch a few Z’s during the day.

According to experts, most adults need between seven and … Continue Reading »

Anyone who has trudged through a never-ending workday after a sleepless night or two knows something about the importance of catching enough Z’s.

Your brain knows, too. A new study on rats shows that the brain responds similarly to a few days of restricted sleep as it does to acute total sleep deprivation.

Studies have shown that … Continue Reading »

You may think ergonomics is simply about the way your office’s workstations are set up, but don’t be tempted to minimize its importance.

The science of ergonomics, which seeks to design the workplace and equipment to fit the worker, is crucial to preventing a host of medical problems.

Bones, muscles, and joints stand to pay the price … Continue Reading »

Are your employees feeling down?
A recent survey found 45% of U.S. workers are satisfied with their jobs, down from 52% in 2005, and 61% in 1987.
Feelings of stress, being overworked, and anxiety can lead to life threatening illnesses like cardiovascular disease and depression.
Discontent in the office can also hinder the bottom line: A 2004 study … Continue Reading »