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Happy employees are productive employees. If this is true, then why do so few companies focus on making their employees happy? If you want to be a part of a successful company, then happiness needs to be at the forefront of everything.
Here are some specific things that make employees happy (and how you can leverage them to your advantage).
1. Flexible Work Scheduling
While you may assume that higher pay and better titles are the keys to making employees happy, the reality is that the average employee simply wants a better work-life balance. One simple way you can help them achieve this is through flexible work scheduling. Here are a few tips:
- For shift workers, communicate schedules well in advance so that employees know when they’re working. Ideally, this should be done at the beginning of the month.
- For salaried employees, a flex schedule works well. Under this setup, employees are allowed to set their hours (so long as they get the allotted per-day and per-week numbers in).
- Give employees the ability to work from home one day per week. This provides employees with a nice break from the day-to-day grind.
These are just a few ideas. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you’re considering work-life balance when creating schedules.
2. Clear Expectations
One of the most frustrating things for employees is that they don’t always know what they’re supposed to be doing. As a result, they end up feeling useless, underprepared, or anxious. Setting clear expectations for each employee and role is paramount to job satisfaction and happiness.
3. Recognition and Affirmation
If you want employees to be happy, and therefore productive, they need to know that their work matters. You can do this by showing them that their work is appreciated.
There are plenty of ways to recognize and affirm employees, but Kelsey Libert, VP of marketing for Fractl, believes in giving little impromptu surprises. “My favorite forms of appreciation include unexpected treats like group lunches or a shortened workday,” she says. “I also like activities that add value for both the individual and the company, including team-building challenges and fully paid continuing-education courses.”
4. Casual Work Environments
Sometimes making employees happy is as simple as establishing a workplace environment where people feel comfortable. Instead of requiring people to wear business suits and maintain immaculate workspaces that resemble a sterile medical environment, loosen up and let them wear casual clothing and decorate their offices according to their preferences.
5. Fewer Meetings
Do people like meetings? Is there anyone in your organization who feels a rush of adrenaline and excitement when they see an hour-long staff meeting pop up on their daily agenda? The answer is no. Meetings are boring and, much of the time, useless.
The good news is that since meetings tend to be pointless, you can nix most of them. This lets employees spend more time getting things done and less time listening to others jabber about things that don’t relate to them. When you do decide to hold meetings, make them actionable.
6. Access to the Right Tools
Employees want to do their jobs well. While clear communication and expectations are a starting point, giving them the right tools is also important. Regularly communicate with your employees to ensure they have everything they need.
Are Your Employees Happy?
Happy employees are productive employees, and your company is the one that benefits the most from their productivity. Thus, if you want productivity out of your workforce, focus more on delighting them and less on establishing pointless rules and regulations. You won’t be disappointed with the results.
