After months of snow, grey skies, and frigid temperatures, we’re ready to welcome spring. It’s the perfect time to declutter and let some fresh air into your home. As you put away your winter coat, you may be motivated to clean household items that get overlooked throughout the year, such as window coverings, the fridge, and furnace filters. It’s no different in the workplace, where it can be easy to get caught up in day-to-day tasks and lose sight of long-term projects that need attention.
Albert Einstein once said, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” His question inspired researchers – decades later – to look into how our physical environments can impact our behaviour.
One survey shows employees waste a significant amount of time dealing with challenges related to working with clutter. Other research reveals clutter can significantly influence our cognition and emotions, with the potential to make us feel stressed, anxious, or depressed.
Just as you can regularly tidy your workspace to keep clutter – and stress – at bay, you can regularly organize your HR policies, processes, and files to improve productivity and keep the department running as smoothly as possible.
Spring is the season of new beginnings, and a new year often comes with new rules. Compliance is ever-changing, so it’s important to stay organized and give your team an opportunity to stay on top of best practices. Spring cleaning your HR can also lead to better order in the workplace.
Here are four tasks to tackle this spring:
When was the last time you updated those family photos on your desk, wiped down your computer screen and keyboard, or digitally decluttered your inbox? Even the smallest changes can make a workspace more effective and enjoyable.
When it comes to your own personal workstation, a little spruce up can go a long way when it comes to mood and productivity. This could even inspire your colleagues to jump on the springcleaning bandwagon and feel inspired about tackling big picture projects that will bring more order to your department.
Spring cleaning your HR doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Please contact us so we can work together to create solutions that work best for you and your organization.
The Most Essential Employee Handbook Updates to Make This Year
How to Organize Personnel Files (Plus Who Uses Them)
The Case for Finally Cleaning Your Desk
Additional Resources
Government of Canada: How Businesses and Employees Can Stay Safe While Operating During COVID-19
Bridging the Information Worker Productivity Gap: New Challenges and Opportunities for IT