Improving happiness in the workplace can be beneficial for both employees and employers alike.
According to a recent YouGov poll, just 17% of UK workers love their job, with more than 50% of workers saying that they are unhappy at work.
Here are our top tips for improving happiness in the workplace:
1. Listen to your employees: Encourage employee feedback, follow up with two way dialogue and implement changes that can have a positive impact whenever appropriate.
2. Promote work-life balance: Encourage employees to take their lunch break away from their desk, leave on time, use their annual leave, and take advantage of flexible working options.
3. Put in place a recognition and reward scheme – from simple app or email kudos, to post it notes, employee of the month or treats and rewards; it’s important to acknowledge success and hard work.
4. Provide development opportunities to stretch and grow your team. It adds skills, keeps staff engaged and can lead to career enhancement.
5. Consider a health benefits package. Providing cash back health plans or access to GP advice can ease employees’ worries and pockets.
6. Use a buddy system to improve workplace support and friendships. Positives relationships with colleagues can lead to improved attendance and job satisfaction.
7. Increase social spaces. Whether it’s a water cooler, a coffee machine, fruit bowl or a lunch and learn session, provide opportunities and places for employees to get together.
8. Build a hive mind approach. Employees that are supported and have a sounding board and collaborators are more likely to enjoy their work environment.
9. Look at initiatives that can increase endorphins and dopamine in the workplace. Whether it’s a meditation app, a discount at a local gym, listening to music at work, providing healthy eating advice or a bench in the sun, anything that increases the feel good parts of the brain can improve our work environment.
10. Smile. Say hello. Positivity breeds positivity. Engage with your co-workers in the corridors, in meetings and in the carpark. Smiling boosts your mood by releasing cortisol and endorphins.
These are just some of the ways you can improve happiness in the workplace.
Remember that everyone is different, so it’s important to find what works best for you.
Check out our other blogs in the series:
If you would like support with initiatives to improve company culture or wellbeing, get in touch via clientservices@robinsongracehr.com or ring us on 01793 311937.
The content of our blogs is intended for general information and not to replace legal or other professional advice.