Preventing high productivity from being self-defeating

Ceridian has this article in their newsletter Ceridian Connection: “The ‘flip side’ of productivity”

In the third quarter of 2003, the productivity of American workers soared by the largest amount in 20 years . . . .
Soaring productivity means employees are working longer and harder with higher levels of stress and burnout. This has significant consequences for employers. It’s estimated that worker stress and burnout now costs the U.S. economy $344 billion a year. Tired and overworked employees have trouble balancing the demands of work and family. Stressed and distracted workers have more unscheduled absences and higher medical expenses. They file more workers’ compensation claims, make more mistakes and create more waste. . . .

These symptoms are the “flip side” of productivity, and they confront every employer with trade-offs between productivity and the conservation and enhancement of human resources. Read more

Article suggests solutions lie in “greater work-life supports on the job,” including EAP’s. Ceridian is selling their solutions, but they have a valid point.

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