Completing the same task every day can get more than a little repetitive. After doing something so often, it becomes a habit and autopilot kicks in. Less concentration and thinking are required to complete the task. The brain can travel elsewhere or check out completely. That’s what happens when workers begin to feel complacent.
Workplace complacency is not only detrimental to a worker’s productivity, but it can also be a grave safety hazard and lead to fatigue, increased risk of injury and poor morale among employees. At high-risk worksites like construction or manufacturing sites, it’s crucial that leaders and executives take proactive steps to prevent and combat workplace complacency.
The Dangers of Workplace Complacency
When workers are feeling complacent, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are unhappy with their job. It often means they are comfortable to the point that they are less open to change and less motivated to improve or innovate. They’re going through the motions of the day to day and completing their tasks without much thought. And that’s where safety can be in jeopardy.
If workers are too comfortable on the worksite or working on autopilot, they’re not as likely to notice or recognize unsafe situations. They might start to cut corners in their daily tasks, like not wearing protective glasses or gloves, with the rationale that they’ve done this task a million times and never had any mishaps. They might start to zone out on the job and be less aware of their surroundings, unable to step in when they see dangers that could impact their colleagues.
Complacency can even lead to burnout when workers become disengaged from their work. If unchecked, workplace complacency can create a stagnant environment that doesn’t challenge workers to think strategically or grow. This can lower morale across the site, leading to decreased productivity and poorer outcomes for both workers and leadership. But complacency isn’t permanent.
SOURCE:
https://ohsonline.com/articles/2022/10/17/how-to-combat.aspx?admgarea=news