When we go to work, there are jobs that we like to do; tasks that challenge and excite us. But there are also the day-to-day tedious tasks that don’t feel productive or valuable…and we spend hours trying to accomplish them. These menial jobs feel like a real waste of time—because they are.

In a study conducted by The Samanage State of Workplace Survey, it was discovered that an employee spends an average of 520 hours a year on repetitive services and tasks that could be automated. So basically one day a week is spent on unproductive tasks such as: password reset requests, contract reviews and approvals, emailing clients, updating databases, payroll, and office supply requests.

The fact of the matter is that today’s employees are willing to switch companies if they truly aren’t happy with their work; especially among younger employees, according to Chris Byers, may move as often as 4 times in 10 years until they find the right fit. 

So how can workplace automation make the entire staff happier and improve employee engagement and retention?

1. The potential for making human errors is greatly reduced. Through automation, there are less administrative and inputting errors, which takes this pressure off of employees.

2. Less need for supervision and micromanagement. When there is a lack of trust, relationships suffer. Management doesn’t need to be constantly going over an employee’s inputs or rebuking employee errors.

3. Better organization and communication. With an efficient system in place, employees will not have to spend times searching for the correct files. This efficiency improves employee-employee trust and reduces disruptions and conflicts.

4. Empowered employees. Employees that aren’t tied to completing mind-numbing tasks are instead able to focus on their core role and complementary skills.

5. Increased amounts of freedom and potential downtime. The amount of time and effort saved through the use of automated systems gives employees a much needed break. Employers can focus on relationship building, and also plan for regular screen breaks.

6. Better work. Allowing employees the opportunity to spend more time on their specific work, and not on menial tasks, improves the overall quality of work. Automation means that employees can work more carefully and precisely, instead of trying to work as fast as possible.

Do you find that you’re spending way too much time on menial tasks? Are your employees or coworkers doing work that isn’t directly associated with what they were hired for? Well, there’s good news. Automating these tasks is easier and less expensive than you think. Save yourself time, money and stress.