6 Ways To Create A Happy Workforce

20 October 2014

A happy workforce is a productive one, as people who are happy at work are more creative, motivated, and achieving.

So it makes sense that business owners wishing for a successful business should strive to create a happy workforce. But how?

  1. Make your employees feel valued – A little bit of appreciation goes a long way towards motivating staff. Take the time to praise employees when they do a good job and they will feel more confident and motivated to do just as well, or better, in the future.
  2. Communicate – Regular communication about the business as a whole and where it’s going will mean employees feel that they play an important role in the business and that their work contributes towards the bigger picture. Employees also need to feel that their ideas are heard and valued, so encourage them to voice their opinions and think creatively. Involving your staff in your business will motivate them to work hard to help you achieve your goals, whilst giving them a greater job satisfaction.
  3. Create a friendly, relaxed working environment – It’s not just about the job, it’s about the people you work with and the environment you work in. Your employees spend more time at work than at home, so try to ensure that they can enjoy their work time. Encourage an environment in which it’s important that the job gets done, and gets done well, but in which staff can laugh and have fun at work. You could also organise social activities such as team building days and charity events, or provide impromptu rewards for good work like a team lunch.
  4. Encourage work/life balance – An employee who has time for friends, family and outside interests is more likely to remain loyal to you and be focused at work. Flexible working hours and offering time off in lieu when overtime is necessary are both possible solutions, as well as showing an interest in your employees’ lives outside of work – demonstrating that you value them not just as employees, but as individuals too.
  5. Help staff reach their full potential – Provide your staff with the resources, training and support they need to grow, develop new skills and update existing ones, which will benefit your business, as well as helping them to realise their ambitions.
  6. Lead by example – It really is as simple as that. Providing a top down approach will set the tone for the whole firm.

Implementing just a few of the above strategies could have a significant impact on the happiness and productivity of your business.

Please note: This article is a commentary on general principles and should not be interpreted as advice for your specific situation.

Image courtesy of chatchai_stocker at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Submit a Comment

Related articles

Follow our blog via email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.