Being a manager is a very challenging job. From maintaining and demanding high performance and output to finding ways to keep employees happy and reduce turnover rates, you are required to balance between the impossible. Workplace productivity is surely among the top priorities for any business or organization; however, organizational productivity comes from employee productivity, and unhappy employees are not productive. Any successful organization knows that employee stability and happiness are key concerns. This is why we are here to tell you 6 solid ways that can help you keep your employees happy and stable.
Suitable Workplace
The environment of the workplace is closely tied to the performance of the employees. It is scientifically proven that the space, layout, lighting, and design of the workplace can all impact productivity, mood, and happiness. Employees will flourish only when their environment allows them to. This is why the initial stages of success start right from the ideal work environment. A few of the best ways to ensure that your employees remain motivated and productive is by maximizing access to natural light, reducing artificial lights, including green plants in the office, and making sure that there is enough access to fresh air. You should also make sure that you have features such as both individual and collaborative desks available so that the office suits the work styles of various employees. Providing proper and sufficient equipment is also a must. Make sure that you have a supply room that contains everything that they may need, as well as a breakout room or kitchen that offers various nutritive food and drinks.
Transparency Is the Best PolicyÂ
Even if you don’t have specific values that you go by, your workplace will eventually develop its own culture. This is why it’s better to take charge of the thoughts and feelings associated with the workplace instead of accidentally fostering a negative culture. A conductive and content employee ideally feels productive and relaxed, rather than anxious and stressed when coming to work. One way to ensure that this is how your employees feel about work is by making sure that your expectations are transparent. Make sure that everyone is always up to date regarding deadlines, plans, goals, milestones, projects, meetings, and events. This will make them feel engaged and included. Knowing exactly what they should be doing will also make them feel less stressed.
Practical Benefits
Any manager knows that providing their employees with benefits is a must. However, not many actually communicate with their employees before providing them with benefits. You can conduct research by sending out surveys, using focus groups, as well as other data-gathering methods to help you find out what packages are the most important for your employees. Conducting a company-wide employee demographics search is also a must. This will help you determine which benefits are the most needed. For instance, if you have many married employees, then providing childcare benefits would be a great idea.
Contrastingly, if the majority of your employees are in their early 20s, you can offer them gym and wellness programs discounts or memberships. You can also provide them with benefits that are related to your industry; for example, if you own a beauty company, then it would make sense to provide your employees with free beauty products or bundles. The specialists at Manulife group benefits suggest that you should also provide them with adequate healthcare and insurance plans. Exploring your employees’ demographics and preferences will help you find out about the things that matter to them the most.
Room For Growth
If your employees don’t feel like they are learning new things or gaining new experiences, they will eventually get bored. Excellent employees search for workplaces in which they can grow their skills and foster their abilities. This is why you should always make your employees feel like they have enough room to struggle, improve, access support, and take risks. The best way to retain your employees and help them improve is by holding training and team-building activities often. You should always keep them up-to-date on the latest databases or technologies in your industry. You should also always let them know that they have a chance to rank up; if they can’t foresee a promotion somewhere down the line, then they will likely seek another job.
Be AppreciativeÂ
Everyone wants to feel like they matter and that they have something to bring to the table. No one likes it when their efforts go unnoticed. This is why you should always celebrate even the smallest milestones or let your employees know that you notice the effort that they put in. Appreciating your employees will make them feel like their efforts don’t go to waste. It will also promote an overall positive work environment, allowing them to feel content and satisfied with their jobs. Recognition and appreciation are among the best motivators; if your employees feel neglected, they will not feel encouraged to maintain or improve the quality of the work nor the output.
Treat Them Like Adults
Many managers tend to make employees feel like their abilities are not up to par. Whether they believe that this is a way to encourage them to push forward or it’s just the feeling that they give off, it can leave employees very frustrated. Constantly watching over your employees and correcting them can make it seem like you don’t have faith in them. This is one of the biggest mistakes that you can make as a manager. Your company hired this employee because they believe that they are proficient enough, so sit back and let them take the reigns.
Happy and stable employees make amazing workers. When your employees are truly content, they will become ultimately dedicated to their workplace and will genuinely want to perform their best. This is why you should show them appreciation, give them the chance to grow, and offer them practical benefits. Maintaining the happiness of your employees is not just rewarding for them, but it’s also crucial to ensure the success of the business.