Article 2 - Threading Time: How Time Management Reduces Stress in Apparel Work Culture
Introduction
Time may be measured in minutes, but in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry, it often feels like it’s measured in stitches. Whether it’s a sewing line chasing hourly targets or an HR executive juggling absenteeism reports, the pressure to do more in less time can create serious stress.
This blog explores how time management, as a personal management skill, can ease pressure in the fast-moving apparel sector using theory, local examples, and HRM strategies.
The Time-Stress Link in Apparel Industry
When time isn’t well-managed:
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Operators fall behind on targets → leading to verbal pressure.
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Executives miss planning deadlines → causing errors and audit failures.
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Overtime becomes the norm → resulting in burnout.
According to Covey (2004), poor time management is one of the biggest productivity killers, while good time use builds personal control and reduces stress.
Real Scenario: A Planning Executive’s Challenge
In a factory in Kandy, a planning executive shared:
"I get urgent order changes daily, but I also have monthly planning duties. Without prioritizing, I feel lost.”
After adopting time blocking (scheduling high focus hours in the morning and admin tasks in the evening), her stress reduced, and error rates improved.
This reflects the Eisenhower Matrix time-management principle:
👉 "What is urgent is not always important."
Figure 1:
Personal Management Techniques That Work
| Technique | Application in Apparel |
|---|---|
| Eisenhower Matrix | Helps prioritize urgent vs. important tasks in merchandising and planning roles |
| Time-Blocking | Used by executives to allocate uninterrupted work time |
| Pomodoro Technique | Adopted by some pattern makers for focus during detail-intensive work |
| SMART Goals | Used by team leaders to break production goals into manageable targets |
Factory Floor Application: Operator Level
For sewing machine operators, time management might seem irrelevant; but it’s not.
Workers who:
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Organize tools and threads beforehand
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Follow a rhythm to reduce unnecessary motion
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Take brief standing breaks to refresh
can maintain consistent output without burning out. This is an example of lean self-discipline (Johnson et al., 2014), where personal planning boosts resilience.
Sri Lankan Example: Brandix Smart Planning App
Brandix, a leading Sri Lankan apparel group, introduced a digital planning app for supervisors and line leaders. It provides:
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Daily target dashboards
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Real-time variance alerts
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Break-time optimization
Supervisors reported a 15–20% reduction in daily stress, and absenteeism improved in key departments.
This proves how personal time discipline supported by systems can transform workplace wellbeing (Hayes, 2022).
Academic Perspective
| Theory/Model | Application |
|---|---|
| Covey (2004) – Time management matrix | Helps individuals focus on high-impact work |
| Bloisi et al. (2007) – Personal management | Time discipline is part of personal skill development |
| Hayes (2022) – Change management | System support enhances personal practices |
| Johnson et al. (2014) – Lean self-regulation | Operator-level time awareness improves performance & morale |
Conclusion
In the fast-moving world of Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, time isn’t just money it’s mental health. By adopting time management habits, from the sewing line to the boardroom, employees can reclaim control, reduce burnout, and boost productivity. This shift isn’t only personal it’s transformational.
The next blog post will explore how positive communication and emotional intelligence can create stress-resilient workplaces in the apparel industry.
References (Harvard Style)
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Bloisi, W., Cook, C. and Hunsaker, P. (2007) Management and Organisational Behaviour. London: McGraw-Hill.
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Covey, S. R. (2004) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. London: Simon & Schuster.
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Hayes, J. (2022) The Theory and Practice of Change Management. 6th edn. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
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Johnson, G., Scholes, K. and Whittington, R. (2014) Exploring Strategy: Text and Cases. 10th edn. Harlow: Pearson Education.
I truly value the way you emphasize that managing time effectively can help to ease mental pressure. The practical implementation of these strategies by companies could result in a lot less burnout among employees and a general increase in employee wellbeing.
ReplyDeleteHello Navod, Thank you. I'm really glad the focus on time management and mental pressure resonated with you. You're absolutely right when organizations support these strategies at all levels, it can lead to noticeable improvements in both performance and well-being. Practical solutions really do make a difference, and it’s encouraging to know this message came through clearly.
DeleteIt is a very relatable and well-written article that puts a much-needed emphasis on time management as a vital and very frequently under discussed stress-reducing mechanism in the apparel industry. I like this relationship to practice you have made especially in connection to articulate your theoretical master though such models as Covey or Eisenhower Matrix to real local situations such as the experience of this planning executive or the smart app by Brandix. These narratives ensure the content is agreeable and implementable. The executive and operator level time strategies are both given a lot of focus, demonstrating that time management is not only a desk activity, but that it can incrementally improve well being throughout the production floor. A great and commonsense read.
ReplyDeleteHello Sajitha, Thank you.I’m really glad the article’s practical blend of theory and real world application resonated with you. Your point about time management not being just a “desk activity” is so important it truly applies at every level, from planning desks to production lines. I aimed to show that small, consistent practices can create real impact, and it’s encouraging to hear that came through clearly. Your feedback is deeply appreciated
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DeleteThank you for this insightful article. The integration of time management theories with real-world examples from Sri Lanka’s apparel sector made it both informative and relevant. I was particularly interested in the Brandix Smart Planning App — a great example of system-supported time discipline. I’m curious, in your research or observations, have you seen any resistance from floor-level staff when introducing these time management practices? If so, how has it been addressed?
ReplyDeleteThank you Mayantha, I’m glad you found the article informative and appreciated the local context like the Brandix example. That’s a great question ; yes, in some cases, there is initial resistance from floor-level staff, especially when new time based systems are introduced without sufficient training or explanation. However, this can be overcome through participatory change processes, where workers are included in the implementation phase. As Hayes (2022) notes, change is more sustainable when employees feel ownership and understand the benefits. Involving line leaders as ambassadors has also been a key success factor in easing the transition.
DeleteThis blog gives a clear and easy-to-understand look at how good time management lowers stress for everyone in Sri Lanka's clothing industry, from workers to executives. The message is both believable and useful because it uses real-life examples, practical tools like the Eisenhower Matrix and Pomodoro, and links to well-known theories. I really like how you point out that personal discipline and digital tools can work together to make real changes. I'm excited to read the next post about communication and emotional intelligence. It seems like the perfect follow-up to help the health of the workforce even more.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your encouraging words. I’m really happy that the practical tools and real life examples resonated with you. Your point about the synergy between personal discipline and digital tools is spot on when both are aligned, real transformation becomes possible, especially in high-pressure environments like apparel. I’m also excited to explore communication and emotional intelligence next ; they’re essential elements in creating a truly supportive and stress-resilient workplace.
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