Facebook linked to lost productivity

A new survey suggests Rotorua workers could be more productive if they had better management, more motivation, and greater recognition at work.

But some employers fear workers are spending too much time on Facebook and warn excessive email use is cutting into employees' days.

The Ernst & Young Productivity Pulse survey measured the sentiments of 750 workers across the country.

Four out of five respondents said they could be 21 per cent more productive - equating to untapped productivity of about $14,000 per worker each year, or $30.5 billion in total nationwide.

Workers spent an average of 1hr 9min of their day on activities that wasted their time and effort, and claimed the main obstacles to increasing their productivity were poor staff management and a lack of motivation, reward and recognition.

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Roger Gordon said it would be inappropriate to say all managers were poor communicators with staff, or that all staff wasted time with frivolous emails on Facebook.

"However, I am sure that most managers have a real interest in improving productivity and would welcome the opportunity to be involved in any conversation that contributes towards this."

Rotorua employers had not expressed any concerns to the chamber about staff time being wasted, Mr Gordon said.

"I don't think I would get that directly unless we'd done some specific research on the matter."

However, it had become more acceptable for Rotorua businesses to have a social media policy, he said.

The chamber was also looking at conducting a survey among employers on the challenges faced by businesses.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union director of organising Rachel Mackintosh said productivity was most affected by workplace relationships. Respectful relationships, where workers felt secure in their jobs and had unpaid work recognised by their boss, were closely linked to a business' success.