Personal Productivity
8 Factors That Determine Workplace Happiness and Productivity
AUTHOR: Megan Jones
Most employers seem to think that money is the most important factor in job satisfaction. After all, people work to earn a living and a competitive salary does seem like a reasonable exchange for their services. However, there’s more to work than just money. There are different factors that play into workplace happiness and productivity.
As an employer, it is your responsibility to provide a healthy and enjoyable working environment that can stimulate your employees’ mental and physical senses. In this article, we are going to talk about what these factors are. Hence, let’s start with the most important.
1. A Healthy Workplace Environment
Employees spend a third of their day (and for a lot of us, a third of our lives) working inside an office. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to provide a safe and healthy environment to work in. Here are the different points that you should consider in order to improve your office:
● The Community. Let’s start from the outside in. Thus, the first thing that you can do in order to create a healthier and safer work environment is to contribute towards the general safety of your community. Seek opportunities to improve street lighting in your area. Or at the very least, schedule safer work hours. Avoid night shifts in offices situated in high-risk areas.
● The Culture. Let’s move inwards a bit and talk about your company culture. The best thing about this factor is that you have a lot of control over it compared to the first one. Create a friendly and safe environment that doesn’t tolerate violence, harassment, sabotage, and deception. You can start by hiring the right people and establishing a reliable background check before opening your doors to someone.
Competition is good. It boosts productivity and motivation. However, draw the line on how cutthroat it can be in order to discourage people from resorting to unnecessary means just to gain recognition.
Recognition is a huge element to this as well. Company culture is a big topic, so we obviously can’t cover everything about in this article, but we will try to expand it a little bit further later on, so just keep on reading.
● Employee Health. Finally, since we’re already speaking about health, it’s actually the most important factor that we want to discuss. There are different elements that go into ensuring good employee health.
Beyond just providing health benefits, you must also make sure that your workspace is always clean and disinfected from germs that might be lurking in places. And most of all, don’t forget to consider your establishment’s indoor air quality as well. It’s an invisible culprit that can easily be overlooked, but it plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy environment for your employees to work in.
2. Team Building Activities
Working for a company with a job that you’re passionate about is one thing, but sharing that experience with others that you love working with…that’s priceless. It will take a lot of hard work in order to take your company to reach that state, true, but it’s not impossible. Here are a few ideas:
- Have a recreational room. Don’t just install a couch, a TV, and a gaming console with a few games. Make an effort to make this common room a place where your employees will sincerely enjoy hanging out.
- Get them outside. We recommend organizing outdoor camping activities as well. It’s also a good way to get them out of their comfort zone, learn more about their colleagues, and even stimulate their inspiration and creativity.
- Invest in corporate events. Take special milestones and events as opportunities to give back to the people who have worked hard to make them happen. Rent a fancy venue. Invest in good food and drinks. Don’t hold back on decor. Sky dancers, spotlights, and other dramatic party decors will allow your employees to loosen up and remind them that this is for their enjoyment. It’s not just about work anymore. It’s about having a good time.
3. A Good Work-Life Balance
And you know what makes this more than just having a good time? If you use these team building activities to get to know your own employees as actual people, and even make them your friends.
Involve the family of your employees into your plans. Know that crucial business decisions don’t just affect your company’s growth but it will also touch the lives of your employees’ families. For instance, giving them a competitive salary and employee benefits, combined with enough leaves (both sick and vacation ones) will give them resources to spend not just on work but on other things that they value the most as well, like their family, friends, and personal passions, leading them to attain a better balance between their work and professional lives.
4. Workplace Flexibility
Time is one such resource that your employees will greatly appreciate. We know that running a company requires tough deadlines and tight schedules, but don’t forget to offer some flexibility as well. In fact, this might just be the factor that will give you that boost of productivity and inspiration that your company really needs.
Trust is also a big underlying factor here. Do you trust the talents that you have hired? If you do, then giving them more flexible work options such as work-from-home arrangements and customizable schedules won’t be such a big deal since you trust them enough that they will continue their stellar performance without superiors hounding behind their backs.
5. Appreciation
We have mentioned recognition as a crucial element in workplace happiness and productivity. After all, people love when they are appreciated and recognized for their efforts. On the flip side, control criticism as well. Remember, what you want to do is to provide constructive feedback in order for them to improve their performance.
6. Growth Potential
And once you do provide them that constructive feedback and those actionable goals that they can do to further improve, make sure that they also have some ample room to grow. Pave an actual career path for them. Otherwise, you’re risking a fall on job satisfaction and higher turnover rates in the near future.
7. Autonomy
In relation to giving them some room to grow, provide them with room to breathe and develop on their own. Each person works at a different pace and we all have our unique talents and strengths. Hence, avoid being too controlling. Again, this will all boil down to how much trust you have on your people.
8. Transparency
Finally, it is important to understand that we are not suggesting you to coddle your employees. If they’re doing something wrong, let them know. Don’t leave them in the dark.
At the same time, provide them with the tools and information that they need. We’re not saying that you should divulge sensitive company information to everyone, but if there is one crucial piece of knowledge that is related to the project that they are currently working on then give it to them. This will reflect on how much you trust your employees as well.
In the end, we only really have one tip that can drastically help you navigate through being a business owner that provides workplace happiness and productivity. Just treat your employees how you want to be treated. With this kind of mindset, we’re confident that your employees are lucky to have you as their boss and that your company will grow with the help of people who believe in you and your vision. Good luck!
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