Areas of caution
Getting employees multi-skilled involves lots of risks and challenges associated with it.
* Managers and business should be careful of the fact that a multitasker should have a clear measurable goal or finish line. The absence of unclear objectives/goals will lead to a state, when the possibility of the employee being not able to achieve the tasks would surely increase.
* It is important to retain the core competency of the employee while he is being trained for the additional skill, which might lead to adverse impact like loss of interest and demotivation.
To be multi-skilled, an employee needs to be trained in functions/possess skills that are different from his own core skill. Training and practice can significantly improve the ability to multitask.
Multitasking at the workplace can only lead to greater stress. Getting involved and managing too many things at one time is less successful than doing one thing at a time. Multitasking takes more time and this causes stress and impacts productivity.
* Forced multi-skilling by companies might lead to the employee losing interest in job and finally walking out.
This apart, employees’ work-life balance may be negatively impacted due to time constraints.