Behind The Scenes: The Productivity Theatre Problem
By Ian McVey, SVP & GM, Applications at Visier
Ever left your coat on your chair to look like you are staying in the office later than you are? Or sent a late-night email in an attempt to impress your manager? If so, you may have been participating in ‘productivity theatre’, where employees display actions and prioritize tasks that make them seem busier than they really are.
It’s more common than you might think. Visier’s recent data found that nearly 43% of employees have engaged in productivity theatre, from moving their mouse every few minutes to ensure they appear ‘online’, to sending excessive emails to colleagues with little meaning. These actions are a part of the performative work that gives the appearance of being busy, rather than completing actual work that creates business value.
The unstable labor market may be increasing employee paranoia. In some cases, employers may be investing in ‘big brother’ style software which creates a trust division between employer and employees.
A rise in performative work may also stem from post-pandemic changes to the way we work. Hybrid working, remote working, or a four-day workweek opened up a dialogue between colleagues about the work they deliver and how they deliver it.
The flexibility of remote work gives everyone more autonomy. Now, those wanting to return to the office and those who prefer to work from home are clashing on the best way to be productive. Whilst some managers and leaders may believe bringing people together and back to the office may be a solution to improving productivity, it might be having the opposite effect.
Visier data shows that office workers in the US were the most likely to feel visibility paranoia (34%), closely followed by hybrid workers (28%), and remote workers (25%). This highlights that not only are employees scrambling to appear busy at their home desks when they are out of sight, but they are also more conscious of the physical office space of productivity pressure.
This is because bosses have less traditional visibility over their employees than they once did. If employees are feeling paranoid about how they appear at work we will likely see a dip in employee satisfaction as they question the trust between themselves and their employers. Business leaders must counteract this by nurturing trust and genuine value creation, which will put a stop to employees prioritizing the illusion of busyness.
Closing the curtain on Productivity theatre
To overcome productivity theatre and foster an environment that promotes valuable work, organizations should focus on three key aspects. Firstly, clear communication and expectations are essential in ensuring employees understand their goals and how their work contributes to the organization’s success.
Secondly, creating a culture of open dialogue and feedback helps address anxieties and concerns, reducing visibility paranoia and fostering an environment of trust. People analytics can be used to enforce regular check-ins, one-to-one meetings, and team discussions to provide opportunities for employees to express themselves and seek clarity.
Promoting work-life balance and investing in employees’ training and development is crucial. Recognizing the importance of personal time and supporting growth initiatives demonstrate a commitment to employees’ well-being, resulting in a workforce that focuses on meaningful work rather than engaging in performative tasks.
