Here’s a mind-blowing fact: The happier your employees, the more successful your company.
Sounds too good to be true?
Research from iOpener Institute and Wall Street Journal revealed that employees who are happy in their work are 36% more motivated and achieve 31% more of their goals compared to their unhappy counterparts. Moreover, they are found to be 33% more helpful to their colleagues as well.
Happiness at work encourages employees to be more dedicated, innovative, and creative than their unhappy counterparts. Several workplace reports show how happiness directly correlates to your organization’s bottom line.
So, how to make employees happy? Here at Loop, we want to help you create the happiest workplace possible so that you and your team can thrive.
We’ve laid out great ways to increase employee happiness and productivity so employees feel like they can walk in and out of work with a smile.
How To Make Employees Happy?
Here are some actionable ideas on how to make employees happy and productive at the workplace.
1. Invest in employees’ future
Would you be happy in a job that you know you couldn’t move up in? The answer is probably not.
It’s hard to maintain employee productivity and employee morale when there’s no little to no scope for growth. What makes employees happy and keep going is the next great raise or promotion. The lack of feeling like they can’t go to the next step or improve, makes them try harder with each passing day.
To boost employee happiness, it’s crucial to ensure employees have room to take risks, struggle, get support, improve, and grow. It’s important to give your workforce clear direction on how they can grow in the company. It’s one of the best ways to show an increase in employee happiness, which results in an increase of productivity.
This includes offering opportunities to increase their skills, like giving them projects that will stretch their experiences, sending them to a conference, or providing books, online courses, and a high-quality podcasts they can listen to while working.
2. Prioritizing physical and mental health
An employee is happy and productive when they’re at full health, whether it’s emotionally, mentally or physically.
There was a study which exhibited that satisfaction in life, which includes work and health satisfaction, has a reciprocal connection, meaning that one cannot exist without the other.
It's all too common to see organizations that foster a work environment or culture of workaholism, leading to overwhelming stress, burnout, and a decline in employee health. But what if I told you that there's a better way to increase employee happiness?
Instead of glorifying those who never seem to leave the office, celebrate those who can get the job done within a reasonable workday. It's time to put an end to the workaholic mindset and start valuing a healthy work-life balance.
3. Celebrate successes
Using success to boost employee happiness may seem trivial, but over 95% employees who receive positive feedback and recognition regularly report higher levels of satisfaction and happiness.
Celebrating employee success, both individuals and teams, is what makes employees happy at work.
Don’t wait until annual performance reviews to judge the potential of your employees. The long wait makes them impatient and results in lower productivity.
Set aside frequent opportunities to celebrate big wins across the organization or within teams. Keep some time in meetings for employees to share their own or other’s accomplishments. Even simple gestures like giving some a high-five, sending out a quick email or a handwritten thank you note, are excellent ideas to make employees happy.
4. Listen to employee concerns
So, how to make employees happy at work? It’s simple - just listen.
Your employees may have valid concerns about workplace culture, but they could be keeping quiet out of fear of retaliation. As a leader, it's up to you to create a work environment where open communication is welcome and encouraged.
By letting your team know that you're not out to punish them for sharing their thoughts, you can help them feel more at ease about voicing their concerns. After all, a positive workplace culture starts with honest and open dialogue.
It’s important to have constant one-on-ones or conversations where you give your team member the opportunity to be honest in a confidential setting. Showing you can listen will help employees voice their opinion, throw light on any issues as well as well work on improving it. All of which leads to happy employees who are more productive.
5. Promote a social atmosphere
Imagine a workplace where colleagues are not just co-workers, but friends. They enjoy each other's company, share laughs over lunch, and celebrate each other's successes. Sounds pretty great, doesn't it?
Well, it turns out that promoting a social workplace like this can have a big impact on employee happiness. When people feel connected to their colleagues, they're more likely to look forward to coming to work each day. They feel supported and valued, and that can do wonders for their overall job satisfaction.
Think team building activities like happy hours, team lunches, or volunteer events, opportunities for employees to collaborate on projects or work on cross-functional teams, or spaces in the office where people can gather and socialize, like a break room or game area.
By implementing some of these strategies, you can help create a more social workplace and foster a happier, more engaged team.
6. Give benefits that matter
As a business owner, you should know that what makes employees happy with their job is benefits.
Offering better benefits is a powerful way to show employees that their employer values them and is invested in their wellbeing. For example, health insurance plans can provide a sense of security and peace of mind. Wellness programs, flexible schedules, and paid time off can help employees balance their work and personal lives more effectively.
When employees feel that their employer is invested in their happiness and wellbeing, they're more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and less likely to seek employment elsewhere, reducing employee turnover. This, in turn, can help companies attract and retain top talent, which is essential for sustained growth and success.
Better benefits can also help create a positive company culture that fosters a sense of community and support among employees. When companies offer great benefits, they send a message that they care about their employees and are committed to creating a workplace where people feel valued and appreciated.
7. Don’t micromanage
It's important to understand that while your input is valuable, there's a fine line between being helpful and being a micromanager. When you don't leave any room for your employees to exercise their own creativity and problem-solving skills, you risk turning every task into a tedious chore.
Instead, try to inspire your staff to approach their work with a fresh perspective, even when it comes to the most mundane tasks.
And here's a pro-tip: if you notice that one of your employees is particularly passionate about a certain project or task, let them pursue it, even if it's just for a few hours each week. By giving them the freedom to pursue their interests, you'll notice a marked improvement in their overall performance and job satisfaction.
Remember, as a manager or leader, your job is to facilitate success, not to micromanage every little detail. By fostering an environment that encourages creativity, autonomy, and passion, you'll create a team of happy, engaged employees who are motivated to do their best work.
8. Make employees part of the big picture
Creating a workplace where employees feel like they're part of something bigger is key to unlocking the secret to employee happiness. When employees feel like they're part of a bigger mission or purpose, they're more likely to take pride in their work and be more engaged and motivated.
As a leader, you have a unique perspective on what's going on within the company and where things are headed. But if you're not sharing that knowledge with your employees, you're missing out on a huge opportunity to build trust, strengthen relationships, and create a sense of purpose and belonging.
So, what can you do? Start by sharing the intel! Take the time to communicate with your team about what's going on in the company, what challenges lie ahead, and what new products or initiatives are in the pipeline.
Doing so gives them a better understanding of the company's vision and goals, and help them feel more connected to the organization as a whole.
This also helps create a company culture of transparency and accountability. When employees feel like they're part of the decision-making process, they're more likely to take ownership of their work and be more engaged and motivated to help the company succeed.
9. Trust employees to leave their comfort zone
The truth is, most employees don't want to spend their entire career doing the same task day in and day out until they retire or die. They want to learn new skills, take on new challenges, and grow both personally and professionally.
As a manager, it's important to recognize this and to grant your employees new responsibilities that allow them to develop their skills and become more confident in their abilities. Not only will this make them feel more valuable to the organization, but it will also help to prevent burnout and boredom.
Now, you might be thinking that giving your employees new responsibilities presents a risk to productivity or places them outside of their established roles. But here's the thing: the bigger risk is having your employees get burned out or bored with their work.
When employees feel like they're stuck in a rut, they're more likely to disengage, become less productive, and ultimately leave the organization.
So, don't be afraid to take a chance on your employees and let them try new things. By doing so, you'll create a culture of growth and learning that fosters employee happiness and employee engagement.
And when your employees are happy and engaged, they're more likely to stay with the organization, work harder, and achieve greater success.
9. Give employees autonomy
Picture this: you start a new job, and you're excited to show off your skills and make a positive impact. But then, you quickly realize that your boss is constantly hovering over you, correcting your every move, and not trusting you to do your job.
How would that make you feel? Frustrated? Disrespected? This is the reality for many employees who work under helicopter bosses.
As a leader, it's important to have faith in your employees' abilities and to treat them like the capable adults they are. Instead of hovering and micromanaging, give them the freedom to take ownership of their work and trust that they will deliver. After all, you hired them for a reason.
Of course, it can be tough to let go and allow your employees to work independently. But by doing so, you're fostering a culture of trust and respect, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and employee happiness.
So, let go of the reins and show your employees that you believe in their abilities. You might just be surprised at the positive results that come from it.
10. Learn what happiness means to them
Creating a happy workplace isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. Each employee has unique needs and desires when it comes to workplace happiness. As a leader, it's essential to take the time to understand what makes your employees happy and how you can make their work experience more enjoyable.
One way to get to know your employees' happiness needs is by conducting surveys or focus groups. By gathering feedback from your staff, you can better understand their priorities and preferences. You can then work to implement changes that cater to their needs and wants.
In addition to surveys, regular check-ins with employees can also help you understand what makes them happy. By having open and honest conversations, you can identify ways to support and motivate them in their work.
Remember, happiness is personal, and what works for one employee may not work for another. By taking the time to learn about your staff's unique happiness needs, you can create a workplace that is more fulfilling and enjoyable for everyone.
Which Is The Most Significant Way To Make Employees Happy?
One of the top 5 things that make employees happy is employer offer healthcare.
It’s a significant benefit that can make employees happy for several reasons.
Firstly, it provides employees with peace of mind knowing that they have access to medical care when they need it. This can be especially important for employees who may have pre-existing medical conditions or for those with families who need medical attention.
It can also improve employee loyalty and retention. Employees are more likely to stay with a company that offers healthcare benefits thus boosting employee retention, as it provides them with a sense of security and stability.
This can also be a selling point when recruiting new employees, as it shows that the company cares about the well-being of its staff.
Furthermore, it can help reduce employee stress levels. Healthcare costs can be a significant burden for many individuals and families, and knowing that these costs are covered by their employer can help to alleviate some of this stress. This can lead to improved mental health and well-being for employees, which can improve productivity and job satisfaction.
Offering healthcare benefits can also improve the overall health of employees. Regular check-ups and preventative care can help to catch health issues early, leading to better treatment outcomes and lower healthcare costs over time.
This can also help to reduce absenteeism due to illness, as employees are more likely to seek treatment when they have access to healthcare benefits.
For these reasons, access to high-quality healthcare is one of the benefits that makes employees happy.
Creating A Happier Workplace Is The Key To Business Success
Investing in employee happiness and well-being is not only good for business, but it's also the right thing to do. Happy employees are more productive, engaged, and loyal to their employers.
A positive company culture that values transparency, communication, growth, opportunities, and benefits for workers can make a significant difference in the lives of employees and their families.
If you're looking to improve your company's employee benefits and wellness programs, consider contacting an experienced health benefits provider, like Loop.
We can help you design a comprehensive benefits package that meets the unique needs of your employees and promotes their overall health and happiness. Remember, a happy workforce is the foundation of a successful and thriving organization.
