Labor intensity is a category that characterizes the intensity of the labor force, as well as the amount of labor expended by the employee per unit of time. This indicator directly depends not only on the physiological characteristics of a particular person or group, but also on the conditions in which the process takes place.
Definition of a concept
Labor intensity is the degree of labor expenditure per unit of time. Not only the costs of physical energy are measured, but also the emotional and mental resources. Thus, this is a comprehensive indicator that determines the impact of internal human resources on the volume of production.
Productivity and labor intensity are interrelated concepts. An increase in the first indicator inevitably leads to a decrease in the second per unit time. Nevertheless, an increase in labor intensity leads to maximization of the cost of human resources for a certain period of time. Thus, these concepts cannot be identified due to their opposite orientation.
The intensity of labor is determined by dividing the amount of labor expended by one or a group of workers by the duration of the production process. To evaluate this indicator, various characteristics can be used that describe economic, organizational, physiological and other aspects. This allows you to objectively analyze the workflow in order to identify shortcomings and make adjustments.
The normal intensity of labor is the full use of all the knowledge and skills, physical strength of the employee in conjunction with the achievements of technological progress. This is the best indicator that brings maximum economic effect, without prejudice to the psychological and physical condition of the employee.
Main aspects
Labor intensity is characterized by the following main aspects:
- It is an economic category due to the fact that it is determined by the amount of labor spent over a certain period of time.
- This is a physiological category due to the fact that it is characterized by the consumption of labor, emotional, mental and other resources.
- The intensity of labor depends on the methods and pace that characterize the use of labor and human resources, and is also a factor determining labor productivity.
- This category is considered and evaluated in accordance with the standards established at the state level.
- Correct and timely assessment of labor intensity can improve the conditions of workers involved in the production process.
Thus, we can say that the intensity combines the signs of an economic and physiological factor that determines the volume of output. Nevertheless, one should not neglect the organizational factor of work at the enterprise. It is important to continuously monitor the indicator of labor intensity for compliance with the normative, in order to timely respond to deviations accordingly.
Labor bonus
At manufacturing enterprises, there is a practice of charging bonuses for certain merits, which may be provided for by labor legislation or internal rules. So, a fairly widespread bonus for the intensity of labor.According to the collective agreement, it can reach 50% of the salary.
This issue is regulated by the Code of Labor Laws in the section governing issues of payment, standards, surcharges and allowances. Moreover, the form and accrual system is established directly by the enterprise.
First of all, the management of the enterprise, as well as a special certification commission should assess the working conditions of each individual category of workers. In accordance with the research results, a list of posts is determined, which is supposed to provide the corresponding allowance in case of an increase in labor intensity. So, most often, privileges are provided to people working on production conveyors, as well as those working in complex or harmful industries.
The following points are reflected in the collective agreement:
- a list of preferential jobs that are subject to the payment of allowances;
- the results of professional activity that must be achieved in order to receive a prize;
- The order and amount of payment shall be indicated.
The procedure for payment of allowances must also be confirmed by appropriate orders. In addition, each employee has the right to receive a copy of the collective agreement.
Surcharge for the intensity of labor acts as a kind of stimulating factor, which can cause the employee to make more efforts to complete the work. On the other hand, it is a reward for more intensive work caused by the corresponding task from the management.
Increase in labor intensity
Labor intensity characterizes the amount of labor per unit of time, which will certainly lead to an increase in productivity. It is only natural that business leaders seek to increase this indicator. In this case, the director can go in two ways.
In the first case, we are talking about coercion of an employee. Especially often this technique is used in economically disadvantaged regions with high unemployment. Under the threat of dismissal, management is forcing employees to work more intensively. It can also be veiled. For example, the conveyor speed increases, as a result of which the employee is forced to perform his functions faster.
The second case involves moral and material stimulation. We are talking about raising wages, as well as bonus payments to employees when there is a significant increase in labor intensity. A competition for filling a vacant position of a higher rank following the results of work for a certain period may also be announced.
Management should especially carefully approach the issue of increasing the rate of labor intensity. This is always associated with a deterioration in the physical and emotional state of workers associated with fatigue, as well as nervous exhaustion. In addition, an important point is the need to increase wages in proportion to the increase in output. Preference should be given to the introduction of new technologies that do not require an increase in the cost of human resources.
Difference in productivity and labor intensity
Concepts such as productivity and labor intensity cannot be equated. They are not just not identical, but, to some extent, opposite to each other. So, if we are talking about increasing the intensity, we are talking about an increase in the number of physical and mental stresses on the part of workers per unit time. This situation almost always requires the employer to increase the level of payment. Interconnected concepts are the intensity and intensity of labor.
As for labor productivity, it is mainly achieved through the introduction of the latest technologies that minimize human intervention in the production process.Thus, as a result of an increase in output, we can talk about raising wages only if this is a personal initiative of the head of the enterprise.
We can say that between the increase in intensity and labor productivity, it is worth giving preference to the second option. In this case, it becomes possible to reduce the cost indicator, and therefore, increase net profit.
Main factors
Researchers identify the following indicators of labor intensity:
- The intensity factor is the product of the unit share and the employment rate of the active share.
- The pace coefficient is calculated as the ratio of the operation time, determined by the standard, to the actual duration of the timing.
- The employment rate is determined by dividing the time actually spent on work by the duration of the shift, as well as the normative coefficient, the value of which depends on the industry.
- The severity coefficient (the concept of specific gravity of labor is used in some sources) is the ratio integral indicator to the number 480 (this is the maximum possible shift duration in minutes).
These indicators should be regularly calculated at any enterprise in order to continuously monitor compliance with standards, as well as timely measures in case of deviations.
Determining factors
Increasing labor intensity is one of the conditions that determines productivity growth. This is because, by making more efforts, the employee is able to produce more finished products in the same period of time. Nevertheless, these concepts can not be identified, because, unlike productivity, intensity is not able to affect the reduction in cost.
Labor intensity factors can be described as follows:
- Physiological characteristics, which include gender, age, state of health, as well as other individual characteristics.
- Technology and organization of production, equipment used, as well as the degree of process debugging.
- Socio-economic factors, such as the size of wages, living standards, education and so on.
It can be said that labor intensity depends on a wide range of factors. Of course, the main ones are physiological, which determine the ability to perform a particular activity. Also, the technological features of the production process greatly influence the realization of abilities. Well, and, of course, only those employees who are satisfied with their social status can show good results.
The main problems of labor intensity
High labor intensity of workers is the goal of many enterprise managers. Nevertheless, there are some problems and specific features that are characteristic of all industries:
- Labor intensity should be attributed to the economic category, since it is determined by the amount of labor spent for a certain unit of time.
- Intensity can also be attributed to the physiological category, because labor involves the release of thermal energy, which occurs in the process of physical, mental or emotional activity.
- A close relationship of the above categories is noted, which greatly complicates the accounting and regulation of this issue.
Labor intensity is a rather complex indicator, which refers to several categories at once.
Labor intensity groups
Labor intensity is defined as labor costs over a certain period of time. Evaluation and regulation of this indicator largely depends on the category of work performed. In this regard, the following groups of labor intensity are distinguished:
- Employees engaged in labor activities that do not require any physical effort (or they are not significant). We are talking about mental work, as well as work associated with serious nervous and emotional stress. Presumably, this work is sedentary.
- Easy physical labor that does not require serious effort and tension or is mechanized. This may be the work of medical workers, people employed in some sectors of light industry, the service sector and others.
- Work, which, despite full or partial automation, requires significant physical stress. These are people working on industrial machines, shop workers in catering services, agricultural workers and so on.
- Work of medium or increased severity is the work of miners, metallurgists, drivers of bulky transport, and so on.
It is worth noting that the labor intensity of workers of different groups and categories cannot be compared without the use of appropriate equalizing coefficients, given the different nature and nature of the indicators.
Classification of labor intensity
Labor intensity can be classified in accordance with the following features.
- According to the subject:
- individual (for each employee individually);
- cumulative (estimated throughout the staff list);
- total employee (average);
- an employee of a national economy or service sector.
- According to the object:
- labor intensity of workers during preparatory work;
- during the main production process;
- the intensity of labor of workers employed in the final stages of production.
- In accordance with the nature:
- normative intensity established at the legislative level;
- optimal, calculated taking into account the characteristics of production and physiological characteristics of a person;
- planned, laid down in relevant documents for a future period;
- actual labor intensity;
- socially necessary, which provides an optimal level of production.
- According to the time factor:
- in a minute;
- in an hour;
- per day;
- during the week;
- per month;
- per year.
- According to the production level:
- in an individual workplace;
- at the work site;
- at the workshop level;
- in general for the enterprise;
- within a specific industry;
- general indicator of the national economy.
findings
Labor intensity is a category that demonstrates the use of labor in a specific unit of time. This is not only about the physical aspect, but also about mental or moral stress. The normal value of the indicator is characterized by the full use of all human resources with the optimal organization of the work process. At the same time, damage to the physical or emotional health of employees is unacceptable.
Concerns about the increase in labor intensity will certainly lead to an increase in productivity, because each individual employee or their group as a result gives out more products for a specific period of time. Nevertheless, these concepts are not identical. Increasing productivity implies the introduction of advanced technologies that minimize human participation in the production process. Due to this, cost is reduced and profit is increased. The main difference between these concepts is that in the first case, unlike the second, the employer is obliged to increase wages.
At the legislative level, such practice as surcharge for labor intensity is provided. To establish its size, as well as the payment procedure, a special certification commission is created, which determines the list of posts and professions subject to bonus payments. The size of the supplement may reach half the size of the average monthly wage.
In accordance with the specifics of the work performed, different types of intensity are distinguished. First of all, they single out workers who are exclusively engaged in mental work, which does not involve tension or is accompanied by insignificant physical exertion. The following is about light physical labor, as well as partially automated processes. Hard physical work is characterized by the highest intensity.
The labor intensity of workers should be constantly assessed both by the managers of the enterprise and by the inspection bodies. This is necessary in order to comply with the rights of workers, as well as adhere to standards. So, the coefficient of intensity, pace, employment, gravity and other indicators are calculated.
A decrease in labor intensity can be caused by a number of reasons. This can be both unsatisfactory working conditions and insufficient material incentives. In any case, this leads to a decrease or freezing of production volumes (or even a refusal of employees to fulfill their obligations). Thus, the employer is interested in encouraging workers to increase the rate of labor intensity by various methods.
