Low productivity in the workplace can severely hinder a business operation. The decrease in employee work and results clogs the entire system, harming relationships with customers and delaying the delivery of goods and services. A decline in work production can be caused by stress, conflict, unclear goals or a poor management structure.

Disorganisation

Low productivity in the workplace leads to general disorganisation among the staff, as the workers fail to complete routine tasks. Meetings can start late, run over the scheduled time or fail to address the true purpose for the discussion. Communication between the employees is delayed, and deadlines or requests for assistance end up lost.

Employee Conflict

Employees in an unproductive workplace typically start to fight among themselves, especially those employees who are "picking up the slack" for the lagging staff members by performing duties outside of their normal jobs. Tempers flare as work is not being completed correctly or on time, and interpersonal work relationships can deteriorate as a result. Management might have a difficult time solving interpersonal problems among the staff, because the frustration the situation causes can hamper reconciliation efforts.

Decline of Business

Employees who are not working to the level needed to complete the common goal cause the overall business output to suffer. Services are not rendered on time, causing the loss of customers, and goods are not developed or produced as needed. A workplace with chronic low productivity can devastate a business, especially in a market where supply must be made quickly to meet customer demands.

Stress

Low productivity and stress are commonly linked in a work environment. The lack of successful production and the resulting chaos from falling behind in work can make the employees feel stressed and pressured. The feelings can lead to an even further drop in productivity, because the situation becomes more tense and the employees feel like the work can never be caught up.