The importance of happiness in the workplace

An organisation is only as good as the people who work for it. Businesses need to improve employee satisfaction to ensure continued success.

This is especially important now that staff retention, productivity and engagement are among the most pressing concerns in modern business. Below are five ways that your company could foster better employee satisfaction.

1). Work flexibility

Giving employees sufficient control, autonomy and responsibility over their own time – both inside and outside of the office – is critical.

Offers your employees flexible work schedules. Furthermore, give them the option of telecommuting based on an employee’s needs.

This is a critical first step in managing employee turnover and retention. With a better work-life balance becoming increasingly more important than salary – and with 78 percent of employees favouring flexible working – this is a must.

At the start of 2022, I highlighted the importance of valuing employees’ work/life balance as one of the year’s most important things to consider. It seems I was right in my prediction.

2). Reward and compensation

You must show your employees that you appreciate and recognise their efforts and accomplishments.

Businesses should implemented recognition processes. This could be an ‘Employee of the Week/Month/Year’, for example. Shout about this good work on your company’s intranet, meetings, announcements and newsletters.

Other compensations, such as vouchers, an extra day off, ad hoc gifts, or simply using the best parking spot for the month, should also be considered to improve employee satisfaction.

3). Effective communication

Employees who believe they have been kept in the dark about workplace changes are displeased.

It can have severe effects. 80 percent of employees say ineffective workplace communication causes anxiety.

As a result, employee disengagement is increasing, as is the harmful game of “Chinese whispers.” In order to aid employee turnover and retention, you must be transparent when informing employees.

Use internal communication tools or platforms such as intranet software, newsletters, company emails, manager cascade meetings, and others to keep employees informed.

In today’s world, businesses must adopt an open-door policy to invite feedback and questions.

They must foster a collaborative culture in which employees feel heard and their opinions respected.

4). Better training and development

Employees must be encouraged to aim higher and advance in their careers.

To improve employee satisfaction, you need to invest in them through methods such as training, mentoring, upskilling, or coaching.

Employers benefit from happier workers and the additional skills and expertise they can bring to the table.

5). Harbour a better sociable culture

Happiness in the workplace comes from good interaction and communication.

Businesses should consider the working environment and whether co-workers can communicate and share ideas to attract future employees.

Organised social activities outside of work hours are beneficial.

Organisations that encourage celebrations of birthdays or attend events together exhibit greater workplace engagement and satisfaction, attracting future employees.

6). A focus on diversity and inclusion

Now, businesses that do not value diversity and inclusion cannot allow current staff to achieve their full potential.

Companies that foster diversity and inclusion are 70 percent more likely to capture new markets.

Meanwhile, diverse teams are 87 percent better at making decisions.

Today’s employees like workplaces that value and practice inclusion and diversity, and those that anticipate employees’ needs.

They want to achieve their full potential in organisations that accommodate them. Therefore, engage them and offer them equal career opportunities.

Also, today’s employees want to work for companies that value diversity and inclusion in their workplace cultures.

They want a business that understands that sharing ideas and best practices fosters creativity, innovation and improved performance.

Improve employee satisfaction with free business support

Concerned about happiness in the workplace? Worried that you may be missing out on hiring top talent? Maybe it’s time you had a sit down with an expert to go through a few important things.

BCU Advantage’s business analysis tool can help you identify new opportunities. You’ll gain a personalised business analysis report, as well as one to one business growth consultancy.

All the while, you will be guided by business experts who will point you in the direction of funding, further support, and event and workshop opportunities.