A brand-new meme every week, that adorable parrot knocking things off the kitchen counter, and wait! A new hair color for Billie Eilish? Ah! There are many things to divert one’s attention.

There are a million things that can divert our attention while we’re working, but that shouldn’t get in the way of our productivity. Distracted employees are the worst. These problems do have answers. Why employees slack off and what can be done about it are the topics of this blog post.

Zippia reports that the typical American worker wastes 2.9 hours per day on things like social media, texting, and internet use. To the tune of nearly 20% of the workday! The generation currently in their 20s and 30s puts in the fewest hours.

To slack off at work is to fail to exert oneself fully. Depending on the person, this could mean anything from not putting in significant effort to taking extended breaks throughout the workday.

Why Are Employees Slacking Off?

It’s not easy to figure out why your workers aren’t pulling their weight. Always keep in mind that your staff members are unique individuals who face unique challenges and motivations.

Bored, uninterested, stressed, and unmotivated workers are the most common causes of workplace laziness. A significant reason behind this is the lack of engagement. According to Gallup, only 13% of employees worldwide are engaged at work. When employees aren’t invested in their work, they’re more likely to be lazy (87% of them). Employees who are disinterested in their work aren’t invested in the company’s success.

It could also be that the manager or employer is to blame for the problem because they are:

– Not involving the team in decision-making

– Not providing sufficient training

– Not setting clear expectations

– Giving orders without involving the team

– Making the workplace unpleasant

Employee Slacking Signs

There are telltale signs of workers who are slacking off. It’s time to have a talk with your staff if you notice any of the following:

– Reduced output, increased error rate

– Quality declines, absenteeism rises, tardiness gets worse, and motivation plummets.

Stopping Slacking Employees

There should be consequences for ignoring the warning signs of employee laziness. Methods to prevent workers from slacking off are listed below.

– Make sure workers have access to the tools and resources they need to do their jobs well

– Recognize and reward employees

– Set a good example

– Intervene promptly to resolve performance problems

– Keep workers accountable

– Making the Office a Happy Place to Be

– Showing Compassion in the Workplace

To address the issue of employee slacking, many companies turn to employee monitoring software like Cotrolio. By using tools like Cotrolio, employers can keep tabs on how employees are spending their time during the workday, including monitoring their internet and app usage. With this data, managers can identify patterns of behavior that are affecting productivity and take action to address them. To learn more about improving employee productivity and engagement, follow our blog for more helpful tips and insights.