5 SIMPLE TIPS TO MAKE YOUR EMPLOYEES HAPPIER

No matter what industry you’re in, these 5 simple tips can create a happier environment for your employees.

Creating happy employees isn’t just a “feel good” management style, it’s actually an important strategy to improve your bottom-line. Consider this: companies with happy employees outperform their competition by 20 percent, and happy salespeople close 37 percent more deals. This correlates happiness to the success of a company.

Unfortunately, many companies don’t know where to start when it comes to making their workers feel good, and since every company is different, the starting point is subject to change.

But here’s the good news: there are a number of common themes that are sure to create a more pleasant environment for your workers, no matter what industry you’re in. Here are a few to consider.

1. Provide Recognition

Employees like to be recognized—so much, in fact, that the lack of recognition was cited as the number one reason people quit their jobs in a recent survey by Harris Interactive. Too often, companies forget to positively reinforce the behavior they favor. While a paycheck may be the reason an employee took a job initially, recognition is what keeps them wanting to come back and striving to do their best. 

Conveying value to your employees can come in many forms. For example, it may be as simple as explaining how their role fits into the overall mission of your company upon onboarding a new hire. Or, it may be that you decide to give a personal compliment on a job well done. Whatever the case, valued employees are more likely to feel happier in their roles. This happens by giving recognition where it’s due on a regular basis.

2. Reward Loyalty

Happy employees are your company’s biggest advocates, particularly when they’ve been with your company for a while or selected yours over many others. These types of employees are able to contribute toward a work culture built upon positivity and company loyalty, which are important components when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent. 

While it may be easy to look externally for qualified individuals who possess skills desired for a new opening, it may be more beneficial to your company to look internally first. Your employees will feel happier and more secure believing that they can have a future at your company.

3. Give Employees Work They Feel Passionate About

You know how the old saying goes: “choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” For most of us, the “job we love” would not include filling out spreadsheet after spreadsheet, yet studies find that tedious, manual tasks like this make up the bulk of a typical employee’s day. 

According to a study by Automation Anywhere, a company known for their robotic process automation technology, 88 percent of employees would be happier if repetitive digital office tasks were eliminated from their schedules. Figuring out what types of tasks can be automated, and then redistributing this work accordingly, gives employees time back in their day to do what they’re most passionate about, and ultimately what they’re happiest doing.

4. Host Fun Events

What better way to end a week of hard work than in a celebratory fashion? While co-workers might be individuals you count on to get things done, they’re also people who like to have fun and blow off steam. Having your employees acknowledge each other as such can help build comradery: a crucial characteristic of a team that works hard for each other (and consequently, your company). 

This doesn’t mean you should center your office culture around drinking outings or condoning misbehavior. Rather, it should highlight the importance of what it means to see colleagues as people and to provide opportunities for those relationships to grow.

5. Prioritize Wellness

No one can be a happy employee if they’re not happy at home. Workers are often burdened with stress, anxiety, and poor lifestyle habits that, if not taken care of, can have a negative impact on their mental well-being and performance at work. This is one of the reasons that more companies are looking to employee wellness programs to better the lives of the individuals that make up their organizations. Some examples of what a wellness program might include are educational seminars, company-sponsored exercise programs or gym memberships, healthy food options at work, and more. 

When it comes to providing wellness programs, the numbers are in your favor. One study found that 46 percent of employees at companies offering seven or eight program categories strongly agreed that they are proud to be a part of their company, compared with only 14 percent of employees whose employer offered no programs. In addition to possessing more knowledge about healthy lifestyles and eating habits, employees are more likely to engage with others partaking in the same wellness program, increasing their sense of community and happiness at work.

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Written by:

Ashley Davis

Associate Editor at Kisi