When left unchecked, boredom at work can lead to an unhealthy mental state. It is a state of mind that often results from a lack of stimulation. It can be accompanied by feelings of emptiness, listlessness, and apathy.
The workplace is one of the places where people spend most of their time. It’s only natural that people get bored with it after some time. Being constantly bored in the workplace has some serious consequences.
According to a survey by Everest College, 83% of people who are bored at work are less productive. Moreover, boredom can lead to various health problems, such as stress and depression. In extreme cases, it can even lead to suicide.
Reasons Employees Experience Boredom at Work
Whether you have a group of 1099 or W2 employees, keeping them motivated at work is crucial. The first step is knowing the root cause. There are several reasons why employees might become bored in the workplace. Here are six of the most common:
1. Monotony
Boredom is an emotion that depends on the individual. Some people feel bored when they are doing the same thing over and over again, especially if they are simple or repetitive tasks that require no skill or creativity. For others, this may not be the case at all and they may find themselves bored in stimulating and challenging environments.
Another type of work that can stimulate boredom is when an individual is working on tasks that are not related to their passions or interests. This can make them feel like they are wasting their time and not using their talents to the best of their ability.
2. Lack of control
When employees do not feel like they have a say in what they’re doing, they can quickly become bored. This gives them a feeling that they’re stuck in a rut and have no way out. In addition, they might experience a lack of control over their own work schedule, their workload, and their tasks. This can be a major source of frustration and boredom.
3. Lack of purpose
Not seeing how your employees’ work contributes to the big picture can make them feel unmotivated and unimportant. Lack of clarity about their role and how it contributes to the organization’s goals can also lead to a sense of boredom, because employees may feel they are not using their time and talents in the most productive way possible. Besides, employees may feel like their work is not meaningful if it does not have an impact on customers or clients.
4. Meaningless tasks
If your employees are doing things that seem pointless or frivolous, whether filling out timesheets or typing out data, can be very demotivating. The same also goes for employees who don’t have enough work to do. According to the 2016 Udemy Workplace Boredom Study, about 30% of employees responded that the partial cause of their boredom was not having enough work to do.
5. Social isolation
Social isolation in the workplace can be caused by different factors, including the use of technology, the physical layout of the office, and company culture.
If social isolation is left unchecked, it can cause boredom and a lack of motivation. Employees who are isolated from their coworkers may feel like they are not part of a team and that their work is not important. This can lead to a loss of interest in their job and a decrease in productivity.
6. Stress
When employees are feeling overwhelmed and undervalued at work, they may become frustrated at the situation and start to feel bored. This boredom could lead to stress, which can have a negative impact on the individual’s health, productivity, and motivation.
How To Fight Boredom at Work
There are ways to prevent and overcome boredom in the workplace. The first step is to understand what causes boredom. Once you know that, you can take steps to address the problem.
- Give your employees new tasks now and then to break up the monotony of routine tasks.
- Create an inclusive working environment.
- Provide more challenging tasks to keep your employees engaged.
- Let employees take charge of projects that will help their career growth.
- Add variety to the workplace by creating a more stimulating work environment and adding new tasks, challenges, and stimuli.
- Encourage social interaction by creating opportunities for employees to socialize with one another. For example, you could have a company picnic, holiday party, or team-building event.
- Promote employee engagement through activities such as team-building exercises, goal setting, and recognition programs.
- Allow employees to personalize their workspaces. This can help them feel more comfortable and motivated in their work.
Conclusion
Employees who are bored are less productive and can become disengaged from their work. Employers need to take steps to prevent boredom and address it when it does occur. Keep them motivated. They are not just your employees you submit your W2 form for. Employees are the pillar of any business. A happy team benefits your company in many ways. By implementing some of the strategies listed above, employers can help keep their employees engaged and productive.
