23rd-27th September 2024
It is no secret that the average person spends a significant portion of their life at work. However, not everyone finds their work environment uplifting or rewarding. International Week of Happiness at Work reveals that 27% of employees experience one or more bad days at work each week, underscoring a vital area of concern for both employees and employers alike. Addressing this issue is not just about improving individual days but fostering a consistently positive workplace that enhances productivity, creativity, and overall job satisfaction.
We dedicate a substantial portion of our lives to work, which inevitably shapes our overall well-being. Recognising the importance of happiness in the workplace can truly transform our daily experience. That’s why Happy Office and Woohoo Unlimited have teamed up for the 7th annual Week of Work Happiness initiative – a time to spotlight this crucial theme across organisations both here and abroad. By doing so, they aim to foster a growing movement towards enhancing work happiness for everyone, benefiting both companies and their employees.
Here are several strategies to increase happiness at work long term:
1. Foster Open Communication
A transparent communication channel between management and staff helps in building trust and reducing uncertainties and stress. Encouraging open dialogues about workload, expectations, and personal development can help employees feel valued and understood.
2. Recognise and Reward Efforts
Regular recognition of employees’ hard work can significantly boost morale. This doesn’t always mean grand gestures; even small acknowledgements like thanking someone for their contribution during meetings or writing a personalised note can make a big difference. Take a look at our Employee Reward solutions to find out how we can help you to implement a successful reward and recognition platform, which has been proven to increase employee motivation and engagement by up to 81%.
3. Create a Supportive Team Environment
Team-building activities that are not just fun but also meaningful can greatly enhance camaraderie among colleagues. Whether it’s volunteer work or problem-solving exercises, such activities can break the monotony of daily routines and give employees a sense of belonging and a shared purpose.
4. Ensure Work-Life Balance
Overworking can lead to burnout, which is detrimental to both the employee’s wellbeing and their productivity. Encouraging staff to take full advantage of their leave entitlements, promoting flexible working hours, and respecting out-of-work hours can help in maintaining a healthier work-life balance.
5. Invest in Employee Development
Providing opportunities for professional growth not only helps in keeping the workforce updated with the latest trends but also shows employees that they are valued assets to the company. This could be in the form of workshops, courses, or access to conferences.
6. Optimise the Physical Workspace
The physical environment where people work can significantly impact their mood and productivity. Ensuring that the workspace is well-lit, ventilated, and ergonomically friendly can help in reducing physical strain and enhancing comfort.
7. Encourage Physical Health
Incorporating physical wellness into the workplace can range from providing gym memberships to organising walk-and-talk meetings. Physical health is closely linked to mental health, and a healthy employee is generally a happier employee.
8. Cultivate Mindfulness and Stress Management
Introducing mindfulness sessions or stress management workshops can equip employees with tools to manage their stress levels effectively. This not only helps in improving their current mood but also teaches them techniques to maintain their wellbeing in the long term.
Conclusion
Increasing workplace happiness is not solely the responsibility of the employer or the HR department; it is a collaborative effort that requires engagement from every level of the organisation. By implementing these strategies, companies can create environments where employees feel motivated, valued, and happy. This ultimately leads to not only enhanced wellbeing but also sustained productivity and success for the business. Each step taken towards improving workplace happiness is a step towards building a thriving corporate culture that can stand the tests of an ever-evolving business landscape.
You can sign the manifesto here, and by doing so, you make the commitment for happiness at work to be the norm, not the exception! You can even find tips and tricks to engage employees throughout the #InternationalWeekofHappinessatWork
Here at Active, we’re experts in delivering strategic employee rewards programs that work for you. We have over 30 years experience in the industry, helping to deliver happiness to thousands of employees across the UK and beyond. Discover how we can help transform your workplace by speaking to one of our friendly team today.
