Your business will be more successful if your employees are happy. Employees who are happy in their jobs are likely to be more creative, imaginative, devoted and have better chances of producing results than those who are dissatisfied with their employer. They are also more inclined to stay for the long haul.
Whether your employees turn up at the same workplace every day or work from several different places, there are some proven ways to optimize employee productivity while keeping them upbeat and creative at work. Here is what HR can do to create a workplace that is loved by all.
There is No Magic Wand for Creating a Happy and Productive Workplace
Many publications recommend strategies to make employees more productive while overlooking the fact that speeding up the process can be harmful to the worker’s health, both psychologically and physically.
In his book Late Capitalism and the Ends of Sleep, Jonathan Crary says that we are always given more work to perform in less time. As we try to balance all of these responsibilities, it's easy to slip into the trap of being continually overworked, burned out, and downright displeased.
The reality is that optimizing your work environment is a simple undertaking that will result in your employees being more productive and happier in the long run.
The work environment encompasses not just the physical surroundings of an employee but also the individuals around them and their work atmosphere. The vague term "atmosphere" can be extremely subjective, but I define it as the tone or vibe you experience at work. The capacity of an individual to focus and be efficient, joyful, and productive is determined by how comfortable they are in this setting.
How to Foster a Great Workplace Environment
On the one hand, your staff agrees to put their skills and expertise to work to help the company achieve its goals and grow. Companies, on the other hand, agree to pay employees for their service.
However, there is a lot more to it. Preparing your team up for success boils down to how you help them emotionally, intellectually, and physically. And it is not as difficult as it may appear—even the smallest actions can help create a great work atmosphere and make employees feel like a valuable part of the organization. The following are some ways HR can foster a great workplace environment and create a workplace everyone loves.
1. Organize Designed Open Communication (DOC) Events
Organizing team-building activities where employees can interact, have fun and solve issues together goes a long way toward cultivating happiness and contentment. In fact, most employees will tell you that team-building activities are important, motivate them to stay in their jobs, and even stimulate innovation.
2. Prioritize Employee Onboarding and Training
Ineffective onboarding was cited as a primary factor for 17 percent of new workers quitting within the first three months, according to a BambooHR survey.
At the very least, the first two weeks of an employee at work should be meticulously planned. If possible, schedule time for various onboarding events to help employees get past the difficult introduction phase.
Additionally, employees should also be enlightened on codes of conduct and workplace safety to allow them to better understand how the company operates as a whole.
3. Make It a Habit to Recognize and Praise Employees
Were you aware that feeling undervalued at work is the leading cause of job turnover in the United States? It was first on the list! Low pay, fewer vacation days, and insufficient flexibility for life outside of work all came after.
Managers and leaders must keep a fact like that in mind at all times. Your employees will be engaged and willing to participate in company-wide efforts if you consistently praise and recognize them. Therefore, having an organizational culture where employee praise and recognition are a given is critical.
Ask team members how they want to be recognized for a job well done. Send a brief email or call a team meeting to collect feedback on how they want to be acknowledged or praised whenever credit needs to be given. It may be a simple “You nailed it!” shout-out during a meeting for some. For others, it could be a face-to-face positive feedback session. Just know what your employees want and give it.
Final Word
The organizational culture you want to develop, the physical environment you want to establish and the relationships you want to build all play a role in creating high-performing teams.
You cannot merely put your finest employees to work if you want to keep them; you have to provide them with something that is hard to come by: a rewarding workplace and job satisfaction. This is hard work but can be achieved by fostering a positive work environment using the suggestions provided above.
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