A happy employee is 12% more productive. But, according the data from the London School of Business and Finance (LSBF) the British workplace is not a happy one. 47% of workers expressed a desire to change their jobs, and one in five were hoping to do so within the coming year.
For young people, the problem is even more apparent. 66% of 18-34 year olds are after a new job, but the fear of losing a stable income is preventing the move.
So, how can British workplaces become more positive and encourage happiness? Whether you’re an employee or an employer, read on for ways to improve your workplace.
Social nights
Open-plan offices bring to mind new tech companies and modern approaches, but there’s a good reason they are favoured. A communication culture helps aid the spirit of cooperation in the workplace, which leads to an increase of happiness (which then leads to more productivity.) Harvard researchers Phil Stone and Tal Ben-Shahar found that students who had social support at school and at home were happier and better at dealing with stress. Carrying this kind of support into the workplace sets strong foundations for an increase in overall happiness.
Give the staff morale a boost with team meetings, staff nights out, and office sweepstakes. As a manager, you should be budgeting for this type of activity, as you’ll be repaid in increased productivity. As an employee, do anything you can to get involved. Even if your workplace doesn’t provide much for your team, you can set up your own internal sweepstakes or fantasy sport leagues to help boost happiness and keep things on track.
Consider training courses
Employers should be open to employees requesting additional training, assuming that it will benefit the workplace. The worst they can say is no, but most should be receptive to the idea. Not only can it lead to you picking up new skills and feeling more valuable, it is also beneficial for the business. According to a 2011 report by Andries De Grip and Jan Sauermann, training led to a 9% increase in staff productivity.
For example, you can encourage team development from a training course, from a provider such as Impact International, and with it, see productivity and staff satisfaction rise. Not only will your staff be happier, your retention rate will rise.
Communication
No one wants to struggle and stress away on their own. Whether you’re an employee or a manager, regularly consulting one another in the workplace is a great way to keep projects moving and avoids any kind of anxiety about unclear instructions. Creating an atmosphere of friendly cooperation is conducive to a good working relationship.
When the staff are happy, the whole company benefits. Make happiness your priority and your working environment will improve.