Workers would find it hard to excel if they thought their performance would not help ensure long-term employment.

Consider the case of American auto workers. If they make 17 air bags an hour, why should they raise output or maintain current levels if they think their firm won't sell as many cars as it used to?

If research firms conducted a productivity survey in Bangkok today, they would probably find the average productivity of workers had fallen. That should not be surprising if one considers the circumstances. The general environment at the moment is not exactly conducive to boosting output.

With so many rallies organised at several places around the capital, it is tough to get workers to do more.

Facing such a difficult situation, office staff based in the inner city need to juggle their schedules to avoid the awful traffic congestion that comes with those staged rallies.

Staffers must commute to work in the morning and take care to complete their duties in time to leave before the protest groups arrive at places that would block their way home. They don't want to be stuck in the office when ensuing traffic snarls caused by mobs halt traffic flow to 10pm, or even later.

In times like these, it is hard to expect workers to function properly and achieve high standards.

Recently, productivity became a challenge for staffers at the three commercial buildings in the Nation Multimedia Group compound.

To be sure, when the rallies became fashionable, some workers started to leave the office early to participate. Little did they suspect they, too, would find themselves on the receiving end when protesters descended on their workplace.

Last Thursday, supervisor called some workers saying they did not have to come in, because a large crowd had gathered in front of their offices. The mob erected tents on the road, blocking traffic.

Those who did come in were so worried, they couldn't function normally, what with hundreds - thousands by some estimates - of protesters surrounding the compound. The siege also cut off supplies, and some staff feared they might have to go hungry if the rally continued beyond nightfall.

Mercifully, the mob left, and all was quiet for a few days. But yesterday, a new threat of protests emerged, and workers feared for their safety once again. Indeed, it will come as no surprise if the country's overall productivity level falls as a result of these upheavals.

achara_d@nationgroup.com