The False Premise of Today’s Predominant “Do More With Less” Business Philosophy
For some time now, many businesses operate on the “Do More With Less” philosophy as a way to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability. The idea behind this philosophy is simple: achieve more with fewer resources. This means employees are expected to work harder, faster, and more efficiently.
However, while this approach may seem like a win for businesses, the reality is often quite different. In many cases, the “Do More With Less” philosophy creates a host of workplace stressors, leaving employees feeling overworked, exhausted, undervalued and unappreciated. Employees are seen as simply being cogs in the work machine.
The “Do More With Less” business philosophy often results in several workplace stressors, such as:
- Increased workload — Employees are often expected to complete more work with fewer resources, leading to increased pressure to meet deadlines and maintain productivity levels.
- Burnout — The constant pressure to do more with less can lead to burnout, as employees struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance and manage the demands of their jobs.
- Reduced job security — The emphasis on cost-cutting can lead to layoffs, job insecurity, and uncertainty about the future of the organization.
- Lack of resources: When organizations implement a “Do More With Less” approach, they often cut back on resources such as staffing, technology, and training, which can lead to frustration and decreased morale among employees.
- Unrealistic expectations: With a focus on doing more with less, employees may be expected to achieve unrealistic targets, leading to stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy.
Overall, while the “Do More With Less” philosophy may benefit organizations in the short term, it can lead to significant workplace stressors for employees if not implemented in a thoughtful and balanced way.
One of the most significant workplace or organization level stressors created by the “Do More With Less” philosophy is increased workload. When organizations adopt this philosophy, they often require employees to take on additional responsibilities, work longer hours to meet tight deadlines and achieve higher productivity levels. Over time, this can lead to exhaustion followed by burnout, as employees struggle to maintain and manage the demands of their jobs.
Additionally, the constant pressure to do more with less can result in unrealistic expectations and job insecurity. When companies focus on cutting costs and maximizing efficiency, they may implement cost cutting that results in hiring freezes or layoffs, leading to survivor guilt, increased stress and anxiety among surviving employees. Furthermore, employees may feel pressured to work harder and achieve more, leading to feelings of inadequacy and job dissatisfaction.
Another stressor associated with the “Do More With Less” philosophy is the lack of resources. When organizations focus on doing more with less, they often cut back on technology and training, leading to frustration and decreased morale among employees. This can lead to feelings of stress followed by psychological strain and then burnout, as employees seek and struggle to keep up with the demands of their jobs without having the necessary access to resources and support.
Furthermore, the “Do More With Less” philosophy can lead to an organizational culture which supports overwork and presenteeism, where employees feel pressured to always be available. This can create a toxic work environment in which employees feel unable to take breaks, take time for self-care, or prioritize other aspects of the quality of their work life. As a result, employees may feel trapped in a cycle of stress, strain, exhaustion and burnout, leading to decreased productivity and job satisfaction.
Overall, while the “Do More With Less” philosophy may seem like a smart business strategy on the surface, the reality is that it can create a host of workplace stressors for employees. By focusing on cost-cutting and efficiency at the expense of employee well-being, organizations risk undermining the very productivity and profitability they seek to achieve. Yet despite these known negatives, the Do More With Less philosophy remains the predominant business philosophy today.
What can organizations do to address these issues and create a more sustainable workplace environment? Instead, organizations need to create thriving and flourishing informed workplaces.
First, employers need to recognize the negative impact that the “Do More With Less” philosophy can have on employee wellbeing. This means acknowledging that productivity and efficiency cannot come at the expense of employee thriving and flourishing. Organizations need to prioritize employee well-being by providing adequate resources, support, and training to ensure that employees can perform at their best without sacrificing their health and well-being.
Second, companies should prioritize enhancing of the quality of work life of employees. This means creating policies and practices that support employees in achieving health and wellbeing through such str ategies and tactics as flexible schedules, remote work options and others. By supporting employees in both their work and personal lives, organizations can reduce stress, strain and burnout, while also increasing productivity and job satisfaction.
Finally, companies should prioritize better the employee experience resulting in increased employee engagement, appreciation and recognition. By recognizing and rewarding employees for their hard work and contributions, organizations can create a thriving and flourishing workplace where engagement, reducing stress and increasing motivation and job satisfaction are organization and workplace norms.
While the Do More With Less philosophy may seem like a smart business strategy, the reality is that it can create a host of workplace stressors likely to negatively impact employees. By prioritizing employee health and wellbeing, organizations can foster create a more sustainable, thriving and flourishing workplace environment that benefits both employees and the business as a whole.
By adopting a more thriving and flourishing focus, organizations can build a workplace focused on productivity, innovation, and collaboration that supports employee health, wellbeing, achievement and success. This means moving away from a narrow focus on cost-cutting and efficiency and towards a more balanced approach that prioritizes both the long-term health and wellbeing of the organization and its employees.
In the end, the key to success in today’s business world is not about doing more with less, but about doing better with what you have. By prioritizing employee wellbeing, organizations can foster employee thriving and flourishing which benefit everyone involved.
