Member Article

Ideas to make staff happier

When your staff are happy, your workplace will be more productive, and productivity is great for any business. There are a number of simple, and often cheap, ideas that can increase morale and general happiness amongst employees, as we will explore below.

Introduce Plants

A staggering 36% of office workers in the UK do not see any natural light. Whilst it may be difficult to bring natural light to internal or underground offices, you can make your workplace feel more natural with plants. There is a wide selection of pot plants available that require minimal light and maintenance.

Not only will plants reduce the sterile feel of many workplaces, but they will also provide fresh oxygen. Plants do not have to be large to have a positive effect on your worker’s morale, and can be very affordable to purchase.

Provide an Outdoor Space

An outdoor area can make a big difference to your workplace. Employees will enjoy escaping the work environment and relaxing for a few minutes in an outdoor area. Install some block paving, a small garden and provide a few benches and you will have a tranquil area where your employees can enjoy.

If your staff work on laptops, they will be able to take their work with them and enjoy the summer sunshine. Fresh air and a relaxing environment is sure to make your staff happier and healthier.

Encourage Regular Breaks

A break does not have to be more than a few minutes long, but can have a large impact on an employee’s happiness. Getting away from the desk and filling up the water bottle or just having a quick stroll can help prevent boredom, and will certainly increase productivity.

As well as improving happiness, you may also reduce injury. Repetitive strain injury is one of the most common workplace associated injuries. When employees have a quick break from their activities, they are reducing the strain on their body’s, which helps prevent RSI.

Do Not Give Employees Homework

Whilst there have been a considerable number of positives that have come from the introduction of the smart phone, one of the main downsides is that staff are more connected to their work, even after work hours and on weekends. This is time that employees should have to enjoy with friends and family, rather than replying to emails or checking in on a meeting.

Whilst it may seem good for productivity, staff should detach from their work to ensure they remain happy and driven. This can be difficult to manage, but putting work phones away during out-of-office hours should be encouraged.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Sampson .