Last Updated on February 23, 2024
If you run a business, making employees happy is one thing that you will not regret. Staff wellbeing can help to increase productivity in the workplace, and it can also encourage staff retention, which means not only will you keep the top talent, but you also avoid having to waste time and energy on trying to find new recruits.
You can help maintain happiness amongst employees by creating an inspiring atmosphere that will make staff want to remain at your business. We take a look at some of the most impactful ways in which you can do this at your firm.
Flexible working
If employees have the opportunity to change their working environment from time to time – for example, working at home. This empowers the staff member to work at their own pace and schedule, whilst reducing their commuting times which should give them more energy and capacity for work.
Employee schedule management is hard if flexible working is allowed. But it is particularly helpful to those workers with small children, health conditions or long commutes – and staff can accommodate this by offering a laptop and VPN system so they can work remotely.
Good office environment
Having an open office can be good to promote creativity and reduce overcrowding. Having mini break-out areas and bean bag chairs where staff can sit and work freely can provide good breathing space and help the employee produce their best work.
There are also studies to say that temperature, lighting and even having a clean office can help work productivity.
Allowing pets in the office
Having pets in the workplace is a known effective way of helping to motivate staff whilst also giving them a boost. They help to promote a calmer and less stressful atmosphere too – and encourage staff members to exercise by taking the pooch on a walk every day.
However, looking after the pet such as feeding and walking should not deflect from fulfilling their work tasks and having a Rota in place or responsibilities in case the dog needs to go to the vet can be important.
Host events
If you are looking for ways to inspire the workforce, another great way to achieve this is to host innovative events at the firm. Perhaps it could be team building, having a speaker come in for the day, or provide networking opportunities – whatever it may be, if done well it could help motivate your staff members considerably.
Free lunches, massage therapists (like from the film The Intern with Robert De Niro) or Friday drinks are small things that can go a long way.
Providing rewards
Another excellent way in which you can help to inspire your employees and increase engagement is through implementing a reward system. One startup that is championing this is London-based yulife.
Companies sign up for life insurance for their staff and then employees are encouraged to participate in daily health activities through the yulife app. Members can earn yucoin through the daily physical exercise they do, as well as engaging in activities to help boost mental health such as through mindfulness. By accumulating yucoin, members can then spend these to earn rewards and vouchers from the likes of Amazon, Avios, and M&S.
Look at doing ‘stay interviews’
Making sure that your employees feel understood and listened to is an important way in which you can help to ultimately inspire your workforce, as well as reinforce trust.
A great way of doing this is by implementing ‘stay interviews’ at your firm. During this time, it is an opportunity for you to ask what keeps them at your firm and if there was anything they would like to see changed.
Generally speaking, the changes most staff members want to see is usually achievable and not expensive such as more flexible working or responsibility.