HAPPINESS AT WORK - Should you care whether your employees are happy?
In today's busy and competitive business world, employee happiness is more important than ever. A happy and motivated workforce is crucial for a company's success, and it can have a direct impact on customer satisfaction, productivity, and overall performance. So, should businesses care about the happiness of their employees? The answer is a big yes!
A happy workforce is a productive one. Happy employees are more engaged, more likely to stay with their employer, and have lower absenteeism rates. This leads to better business performance, lower staff turnover, and a more positive workplace culture. It’s proven that when employees are happy, they help build a positive and strong brand reputation. And, let's be honest, who wouldn't want a happy and motivated workforce?
But how do you make your employees happy? Well, it starts with a comprehensive wellbeing strategy that addresses physical, mental, emotional, and financial wellbeing. This can include flexible working arrangements, mental health support, and professional development opportunities. It’s critical that the structure and style of leadership is conducive to creating a happy place to work, where employees feel valued and safe. By creating a supportive and positive work environment, you show your employees that you value and support them, which will boost their happiness and satisfaction.
Another key factor in employee happiness is work-life balance. With the growing importance of balancing work and personal life, offering flexible working arrangements like remote and hybrid working and flexible hours can have a big impact. By giving your employees the ability to balance their work and personal life, you reduce stress, increase job satisfaction, and improve overall wellbeing.
When employees are less stressed and feeling satisfied in their workplace this will ripple into their personal life. The stress of work, which 53% of women recently surveyed said is higher than it was a year ago (1), plays a huge role in how you cope with life outside of work.
Investing in employee growth and development is another way to boost happiness. Offer relevant and accessible training and development programmes, and give your employees clear career progression paths. By investing in your employees, you help them feel fulfilled and motivated, and that leads to a happy and satisfied workforce.
It's also important to address any factors that might be causing unhappiness in the workplace. This could be a lack of resources, poor management, failing processes, or inadequate support. By addressing these issues, you create a supportive and positive work environment, and your employees will feel valued and motivated.
I believe that caring about employee happiness is crucial for any business. A happy and motivated workforce leads to a better workplace culture, increased productivity, and improved overall business performance. Start with a comprehensive wellbeing strategy, work-life balance, and employee growth and development, and don't forget to address any issues that might be causing unhappiness. Investing in your employees' happiness and success will result in thriving business, and protect you from one where you’re constantly looking to plug the holes.
Sources:
(1) Deloitte
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