Maintaining a comfortable level of positivity in the office is crucial to the success of the business as a whole. Happy employees work harder, are more creative, and are better team players.
When employers treat their employees with respect and empathy, there is typically less absenteeism, burnout, and excess stress. Employees are more able to focus on doing the best job possible when the social aspects of the office are in order. Check out a few helpful hints towards maintaining a happy and productive office.
Encourage a healthy work/life balance
The best way for an organization to encourage a healthy work/life balance is to provide ways for employees to invest in themselves. Many businesses have built in quiet spaces around the office that are designated resting areas for employees to reset their minds.
Sometimes the stress of business gets a bit overwhelming, and an area to decompress is necessary. Above all, employers should always remember that they are working with people, and make handle situations in the office with soft hands.
Recognize individual employee accomplishments
Employees respond positively when their employers take the time to pause and recognize their individual accomplishments and contributions to the success of the business. People need to feel like their hard work is being seen.
Positive reinforcement builds a healthy, competitive attitude in the office. It may seem like a bunch of mumbo jumbo, but people are always people. Showing compassion and gratitude will always make a person feel happier about life.
Strive for a company wide transparency
Happy employees result when they feel like they have something invested in the success of the company. Make them feel like they are partners, and employees are much more likely to perform at a higher level.
Communication is also a very valuable attribute of a positive employer-employee relationship. When employees understand what is going on in other departments, and they have the chance to contribute their own input, a heightened sense of unity within the company develops.
Enable flexible work times
Employees enjoy the ability to work their schedule around their life. It has been observed that office happiness is increased, and burnout is minimized, when employees are granted the opportunity to work a more flexible schedule.
When people are better able to handle the important situations in their personal lives, their professional lives tend to blossom.
Encourage self expression in the office
Allow employees to express their individuality in the office. Dress down on Fridays. Let them decorate their workspace with pictures of family or their favorite sports team. Not only will it add color to the office, self expression will make employees feel more content in their surroundings.