Keep Employees Happy
The saying “A happy employee is a productive employee” has proven to be true time after time. If you look at the most successful companies out there, you will find they have ways to keep their employees happy. You may think raising salaries or giving bonuses is the only way to make your employees happy, but that isn’t necessarily true. Sure employees would love to make more money, but if employees are appreciated and feel valued for the work they do; they will be happy. There are several things that you can do to show appreciation if you are on a budget. Here are a few suggestions that are sure to put a smile on your employees’ faces!
Flexible Hours – Organizations vary; at some places it may be much easier to allow flexible scheduling than others. Simply making an effort to give employees some flexibility within their schedules will have a positive result. Maybe it’s coming in a little early one day and leaving early another day or vice-versa. Maybe you let your employees leave early on Friday when they have completed or done well on a project.
Casual Fridays or Other Themes – Once again, organizations vary and dress codes can be very different from one company to the next; some are strict and business formal and some are business casual. Allowing employees certain days where they can dress down will be much appreciated. Not many employees enjoy wearing a tie or heels to work every day. If you want to have a little more fun with it, and your organization is open to it, you can have themed days. Maybe it’s during football season or baseball season, why not encourage employees to wear a shirt of their favorite team.
Competition – If you want to see real productivity come up with a great competition and a great reward to go with it. Employees enjoy a little friendly competition. Have team competitions, this way employees can learn to work together and build camaraderie. Competitions can be held inside the office, such as a sales competition, or outside the office, such as a fitness competition.
Nice Office Supplies – This may sound a little silly, but many employees have complained over the years about a lack and quality of office supplies. It’s necessary for employees to have proper supplies to accomplish their job. Having post-its, pens, paper clips, paper, staplers, etc. readily available will keep employees smiling.
Parties – Everybody loves to party! Set time aside to celebrate employee birthdays, rewarding employees for a job well done, holiday parties etc. Employees will be happy to work for a boss or company the sets time aside to celebrate, relax and be social. There is nothing wrong with a little fun at work.
Food – There is one thing all employees love and that is delicious food. Treating your office or department to bagels in the morning or pizza at lunch every once in awhile is a great way to keep employees happy.
Brighten up the office – There is nothing more depressing then a dark office and white walls. Make sure your office is well lit either with windows or lighting. Add color to the walls with paintings, or put down bright carpets. You don’t have to do a full-scale remodeling, but investing in some artwork and color for your office can have a real positive effect on employees.
Have an open door – Be open to employee suggestions. Employees have many opinions and they want to be heard. The simplest way to make employees happy is by listening to their suggestions. Employees want to feel like part of the team and sharing ideas is one way of doing that. Employees feel valued when a boss takes the time to listen to their suggestions.
It is important for a company to make sure their employees are happy. A happy employee works harder, is more social, and will overall be better for your business than an unhappy employee. Giving out promotions may be a quick easy fix, but in the long run employees are happier when they work in a positive environment and are appreciated.
Category: Employee/Business Relationship
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