A happy office is a productive office and all business owners and supervisors are always looking at ways to create a happy environment in their workplace. Employees these days want more than just a communal coffee pot or an employee of the month plaque and to hire and retain the best talent, every business owner should look at ways to motivate their staff and keep them happy. We spend huge amounts of our lives at work and so we want to work in an environment where we are happy to get up each day and go into the office. Knowing what will make your employees happy can be difficult with so many different personality types in every team.
To help out all the business owners who are looking to create a happy working environment, here are 6 easy ways to improve the mood in the workplace.
Have Regular Team Building Activities
Regular team building activities are a great way for your employees to let their hair down and build closer personal and working relationships with other employees and your company itself. The great thing about team building activities is that there are so many different things which you can do. Some companies have a monthly night out for dinner or drinks while others go even further and take their whole workforce away for a weekend of paintballing or hiking. You want to make your office a place where your employees are excited to come each morning and the best way to do this is if they get along well with all their colleagues. Start small with office birthday parties or a monthly dinner paid for by the business and your employees will all become good friends and appreciate your efforts.
Create a Pleasant Atmosphere in the Office
Once everyone is friends, it is important that you provide them with a workspace that is pleasant for them to come to. Make sure that you have good A/C or heating so that your employees are not too hot or cold. The office environment experts at this website explain that some workplaces can be musty or have bad odors and so it may be worth installing a commercial air freshener in your office if it has this problem. There is nothing worse than the smell of mold or sweat on a hot summer’s day in the office, so make sure that you create a pleasant working environment for your team.
Provide some Essential Amenities
In order for your employees to be happy and feel valued you should provide them with some essential amenities which are expected these days. Everyone loves a coffee to get through a busy morning at work so provide your team with a high-tech coffee machine so that they get their latte and cappuccino for free without having to shell out their own money on the way to work. In addition, provide a refrigerator so that staff can bring snacks and lunch to work as well as a microwave to heat them up. Make sure that your employees’ computers and other tech are up to scratch so that they are able to do their jobs well and they will be very thankful for it.
Provide Comfortable Office Furniture
Sitting at a computer all day can play havoc with your back and over the course of working life can lead to serious problems. These days, there are huge ranges of ergonomic office furniture which will provide your employees with a comfortable desk and chair so that they can avoid carpal tunnel and neck and back strains. The best office furniture is adjustable so that your employees can set their chairs and desks to the optimum height to work in total comfort.
Have Clear Rules and Regulations
It is vital that every office has clear rules and regulations so that employees understand exactly what is expected of them and also what will not be tolerated. These do not need to be strict or presented in a threatening way, but they should be clear and easily understandable. Everything from training your staff about sexual harassment in the workplace to rules about cleaning coffee cups should be laid out. This will ensure that everyone feels safe at work and respects the office and their colleagues.
Fostering a great atmosphere in the office will not only keep your employees happy, but it will also improve their performance at work. Modern employees expect certain amenities and standards from their employers and you can actually provide these without spending too much money or time. Speak to your employees about their needs and set out clear rules and regulations with regard to workplace behavior and etiquette. Follow this guide and you will have a happy and productive workplace.
Photo credits: Pixabay