Just-in-Time Company May Leave Workers Out of Sync

The just-in-time economy is jeopardizing productivity because many companies haven’t dealt with the increased stress felt by overburdened workers.

That’s the view of Dan Songer, managing partner at Priority Management Systems in Santa Ana, a management consulting and corporate training firm that specializes in productivity issues.

“We don’t think companies should stop trying to increase productivity,” using just-in-time methods, which involve tighter production schedules, reduced inventories and speedier work flow, said Songer. “We know the trend is not going to vary from its current course. We’re hooked on that--we want information immediately, we want products immediately.”

But, Songer said, companies need to pay more attention to the health and happiness of their employees by making sure they are taking breaks, receiving the necessary tools and training, and aren’t neglecting outside interests. Workers should be made to feel that they are part of a team and that their contributions and ideas are valued, he said.

That might sound touchy-feely, but Songer insists that the consequences of neglecting workers’ well-being can be severe. The business might move faster, he said, but quality might suffer and creativity could lag.

Songer said Orange County companies are particularly at risk of letting employee stress levels get out of hand because many are involved in technology, information and knowledge--the kind of businesses that thrive on innovation and experimentation. “The care and grooming and watering of the work teams is probably a little more important for a company like that than in a factory scenario,” he said.

Patrice Apodaca covers economic issues for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-5979 and at patrice.apodaca@latimes.com