How to Help an Employee with Time Management
Time is one of the most valuable resources in the workplace, yet it’s also one of the hardest to manage. For many employees, juggling tasks, meetings, and deadlines can be overwhelming, leading to missed goals, stress, and lower productivity.
As a manager or HR professional, guiding employees to improve their time management not only boosts their performance but also strengthens the entire team. Here are practical strategies to support employees in managing their time more effectively.
1. Start with Understanding, Not Judgment
If an employee struggles with time management, approach them with empathy. Instead of labeling them unproductive, ask questions to uncover the root cause:
Are they overloaded with tasks?
Do they lack clarity about priorities?
Are distractions or procrastination affecting them?
Understanding these factors helps you provide support that actually works.
2. Clarify Roles and Priorities
Employees often lose time because they’re unsure of what’s most important. If everything feels urgent, focus gets scattered.
You can help by:
Defining clear goals for their role.
Breaking tasks into urgent, important, and low-priority categories.
Using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to distinguish between what matters and what can wait.
Clarity reduces wasted effort and builds confidence.
3. Provide Training and Tools
Time management is a skill that can be developed. Offering workshops on methods like time blocking, Pomodoro, or batching tasks can be valuable.
Alongside training, introduce tools such as:
Project management platforms (Asana, Trello, ClickUp)
Time tracking apps (Toggl, Clockify)
Smart calendars for scheduling and reminders
These resources give structure and visibility to workloads.
4. Encourage Realistic Workloads
Overloaded employees can’t manage time effectively no matter how well they plan. Review workloads regularly and redistribute tasks when needed. Encourage open communication so employees feel safe saying, “I need help.”
This prevents burnout and ensures work quality doesn’t suffer.
5. Teach Planning Habits
A little planning goes a long way. Encourage employees to:
Create a daily or weekly to-do list.
Block time for deep, focused work.
Review tasks at week’s end to prepare for the next.
Even 10 minutes of planning each day can save hours later.
6. Promote Healthy Work Practices
Time management depends on energy as much as scheduling. Employees who are exhausted or distracted won’t use time effectively.
Promote habits such as:
Taking short breaks to recharge.
Avoiding multitasking.
Respecting boundaries for after-hours work.
Healthy employees manage time and stress far better.
7. Offer Mentorship and Accountability
Some employees thrive when they have someone guiding them. Regular check-ins, peer partnerships, or mentorship programs provide accountability and encourage consistency. Small, consistent improvements create lasting change.
8. Lead by Example
Leaders set the tone for time management. If managers constantly multitask, overbook meetings, or send late-night emails, employees may feel pressured to do the same.
Model balance by:
Running efficient meetings.
Prioritizing visibly and transparently.
Taking breaks and encouraging others to follow.
Employees will mirror what they see.
9. Recognize Improvements
Time management is learned gradually. Celebrate small wins, such as meeting deadlines or showing better focus to encourage continued progress. Recognition reinforces positive behavior and motivates employees to keep improving.
10. Keep the Conversation Going
Time management evolves with shifting roles and projects. Make it a recurring topic in one-on-ones, performance reviews, and team meetings. By treating it as ongoing development, employees know they don’t have to struggle alone.
Helping employees with time management is about more than productivity hacks. It requires clarity, realistic workloads, and supportive leadership. When employees feel empowered to manage their time, businesses benefit through higher performance, reduced stress, and stronger teamwork.
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For more on HR development, tax knowledge, and tips for employees and entrepreneurs, follow ByteHR. If you're considering HR software, contact ByteHR for a free consultation at 036 419 5276 or salesmy@byte-hr.com.
