Is caregiving the silent killer of workplace productivity?

Companies have come a long way in taking care of their employees, but what if there is another factor that is killing workplace productivity? Photo: Getty Images

In recent years, companies have invested a lot of time and energy into improving company culture. Shiny new fitness centers, break rooms stocked with refreshments and equipped with couches and big screen TVs, flexible work hours, extended vacation time, free meals, educational programs — the list of employee perks and benefits goes on. Companies like Zappos and Google are leading the way in the company culture movement. Zappos even screens prospective employees through a cultural fit interview to ensure they’re the right fit for the company’s culture.

So what’s the motivation behind the company culture frenzy these days? For one, companies seem to be realizing that employees are more than just revenue-producing pawns. Employees want to be valued and treated with respect. The other reason is that employees tend to work harder when they are comfortable with their company’s culture and feel like they are working toward a common goal and vision. In short, great company culture will result in driven employees and increased productivity.