Labor Efficiency

Just as labor is related to the worker, the efficiency of labor is also related to the worker. The efficiency of a worker depends on their working style, intelligence, judgment, working power, and skills. 

That is, the work efficiency of labor can be considered the work efficiency of labor. 

The work efficiency of labor can be measured in two ways, which are as follows:

• Quantitative work efficiency
• Qualitative work efficiency

(a) Quantitative Work Efficiency:

Suppose, Ritika and Shiva both work as computer operators in an office. Both are given laptops of the same model. Ritika types 400 words in 7 minutes. Shiva types only 350 words in 7 minutes. Here, quantitatively, Ritika's work efficiency is higher than Shiva's.

Quantitative work efficiency means that within a certain time, using the same type of resources, if one worker can produce more goods of the same quality compared to another worker, then that worker's quantitative work efficiency is higher compared to the other worker.

(b) Qualitative Work Efficiency:

In the above example, even though Ritika typed 400 words in 7 minutes, there were many errors, and even though Shiva typed only 350 words in 7 minutes, Shiva's work efficiency is higher than Ritika's.

Therefore, qualitative work efficiency means that within a certain time, using certain resources, if one worker produces a higher quality of goods compared to another worker, then that worker has higher qualitative work efficiency compared to the other worker.

Thus, the work efficiency of labor indicates how much work can be done in a given time and what kind of goods can be produced. The work efficiency of labor depends on the worker's working power and willingness to work. Various things affect the work efficiency of labor.

Factors Affecting Labor Efficiency

The work efficiency of a worker depends on individual qualities and nature. In addition to this, the factors affecting the work efficiency of labor are as follows:

(a) Education and Training: Education and training are the main things that affect the work efficiency of a worker. The work efficiency of an educated and trained worker is certainly higher compared to that of untrained workers. Education helps to increase the intellectual level of workers, and regular training motivates workers to work.

(b) Ethnic and Hereditary Traits: Ethnic and hereditary traits also affect the work efficiency of a worker. People automatically inherit the ethnic traits of their ancestors, for example, in Nepal, Sherpas are seen to be more skilled in mountaineering, and Newars in business.

(c) Climate: Climate has a great impact on the work efficiency of a worker. It is very difficult for workers to work in extremely hot and extremely cold places.

(d) Standard of Living and Health: Workers with a high standard of living and good health also have high work efficiency. A worker who gets good and nutritious food and a clean place to live has good health. The work efficiency of a worker also depends on their standard of living and health.

(e) Personal Qualifications and Qualities: A person who has a positive attitude towards work has higher work efficiency than others. Some workers are naturally hardworking, while others have increased personal qualities for certain work. Personal qualifications and qualities are important factors affecting the work efficiency of labor.

(f) Workplace: The environment of the workplace also affects work efficiency. If the workplace is clean, bright, and airy, the desire to work increases, and work efficiency increases.

(g) Working Hours: A worker cannot provide continuous service like a machine. They need rest and entertainment from time to time. Continuous work leads to fatigue. They can become unhealthy, and work efficiency decreases. If there are provisions for workers to rest, entertain themselves, and undergo health check-ups, work efficiency increases.

(h) Wage Rate: The wage rate affects the work efficiency of labor. If the wage rate is high, work efficiency is also high, and if the wage rate is low, work efficiency also decreases. The wage rate should be sufficient to meet their needs for food, shelter, and supporting their families.

(i) Welfare and Social Security: Welfare and social security arrangements affect the work efficiency of labor. If there are provisions for free medical treatment, free education for children, housing, pension, compensation and insurance in case of accidents while working in the factory, workers are motivated to work, and their work efficiency increases.

(j) Hope of Profit and Advancement: Work where there is hope of financial gain and promotion, job security, and bonus provisions leads to an increase in labor efficiency. Where there is a lack of such facilities, the morale of the workers is also low. There is aversion to work. The productivity of labor may decrease.

(k) Manager's Qualification: The way the manager treats the workers also affects the work efficiency of the workers. If the manager is skilled and qualified, they keep the workers satisfied and encourage them to work diligently, and work efficiency increases. Conversely, if the manager cannot understand the feelings of the workers, the work efficiency of the workers decreases.

(l) Machinery and Tools: If workers receive easy, lightweight, and good quality tools to work with, work efficiency increases.

(m) Arrangement for Timely Payment of Remuneration: If there is an arrangement for regular payment of remuneration on time, workers work happily, and work efficiency increases.

(n) Government's Labor Policy: If the government's labor policy is encouraging to workers and is in favor of their interests, the work efficiency of labor increases.