Anatomy Of A Happy Office

Money isn’t everything, but a happy workplace might be—especially for your professional life. When your employees are content at their jobs, it can make a huge difference in workplace culture and productivity. Here’s a look at ways you can make your office a happier place. [1]

Give them time.

• 28% of working adults say they don’t have enough time in the day to accomplish what they need to do. [2]

• Don’t take away hours in their day. [3]
  • Make sure the office is orderly and efficient.
  • Cut down on meeting times.
    • Have meetings standing up or before lunch to move them along.

 Let them use social media moderately.

• A 2009 study shows that when employees visit sites for personal interest, there was a 9% increase in productivity. [4]
  • While this topic is still being debated, it may be worth a try.
    • Additional research shows 10-minute Facebook breaks might mean employees who are: [5]
      • Healthier
      • Happier
      • More Productive

Communicate constantly.

• 33% of workers are worried their pay will be cut. [6]
• 30% are worried their hours will be cut.
• 30% are worried about getting laid off.
• To mitigate fear and concern, over-communicate with employees. [7]
  • Tell them about the company’s:
    • Current position.
    • Its vision.
    • How it plans to advance.

Allow them to listen to music.

• In a recent survey by UK licensing organizations, 77% of businesses said music at work: [8]
  • Improved the atmosphere.
  • Increased employee morale.

Appreciate your employees.

• In a 2011 survey, 69% of employees said they’d work harder if they were better appreciated/recognized. [9]
• If you don’t have the money for big financial rewards, show appreciation in simple ways: [10]
  • Have games in the breakroom.
  • Provide food for the office.
  • Thank specific employees after a job well done.
  • Write handwritten notes of thanks after big projects. [11]

Don’t let rain ruin workers’ moods.

• 12% of workers are angrier or sadder on days that are gloomy. [12]
• Help combat negative feelings when it’s raining with fun, indoor activities.
  • Play a television show in the breakroom.
  • Order-in lunch for your employees.
  • Plan indoor team-building activities.

Conclusion

There are many ways to help your employees feel valued, informed, and content at work. Making sure there’s a positive atmosphere will aid in improving morale and productivity.

Sources:

[1] http://blog.metrofax.com/improve-employee-satisfaction/
[2] http://www.gallup.com/poll/148583/Working-Adults-Strapped-Time.aspx
[3] http://www.inc.com/guides/201105/7-ways-to-improve-employee-satisfaction.html
[4] http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/shocking_news_scientists_say_workplace_social_netw.php
[5] http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-04-16/news/31347913_1_facebook-group-employee-behavior-happiness
[6] http://www.gallup.com/poll/149261/Worries-Job-Cutbacks-Return-Record-Highs.aspx
[7] http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/20/happy-employees-work-leadership-managing-careers.html
[8] http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-06-29/music-boosts-workplace-productivity-licensers-claim
[9] http://www.globoforce.com/mood-tracker-september-2011/WorkforceMoodTracker_September2011_ONLINE.pdf
[10] http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505143_162-40245037/5-low-cost-ways-to-make-employees-happy/
[11] http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/sbc/2012/01/31/how-to-show-employee-appreciation-without-spending-money/
[12] http://www.careerbuilder.com/share/aboutus/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=pr359&sd=3%2F28%2F2007&ed=12%2F31%2F2007