Developing and Maintaining Employee Happiness

A study in 2015 at the University of Warwick found happiness made people around 12% more productive, whilst unhappier workers were 10 percent less productive.  The researchers concluded that “positive emotions appear to invigorate human beings, while negative emotions have the opposite effect”.

Energised and happy employees are productive and focused on their work, and are more creative. Happiness in the workplace reduces stress and absenteeism, as the workplace is where employees enjoy coming and want to be there. Employees are more alert and creative when they have more positive emotions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increasing happiness in the office:

Improve the office atmosphere: The physical layout and ergonomic design of an office are important to increasing productivity and collaboration.  Adding some plants or greenery or exposure to nature in general, boost both well-being and effectiveness among employees.

Flexible working: To balance the rising demands of both work and personal time, small businesses need to allow employees to work flexible hours and remotely. These flexible working arrangements need to be supported by technology and processes that enable people to be productive and effective wherever they are. Mobile technology allows employees to work anywhere even when they are not in the office. This is another way of showing respect and building trust, both high-value contributors to employee happiness and boosting productivity.

Creating the right environment:  To create the right office environment for your business culture requires the design of a mix of working environments, including open plan areas, breakout spaces, and quiet zones, recognising that each employee performs different activities and need a suite of work settings to complete their work tasks. By giving employees a freedom of choice about how, when and where they work, enables them to work more productively and collaboratively.

Developing your employee’s happiness will result in the improvement of overall effectiveness in the working environment, boosting collaboration and productivity.