How To Make Your Workers Happy In 11 Steps
Your employees are the most important asset your organisation has. So it’s extremely important to listen to them, understand their needs, and keep them healthy, fresh and as stress-free as possible. In our fast-paced working world, it’s more important than ever to invest in your people.
People who are healthy and motivated are happier, more productive and bring tangible benefits to your organisation. So looking after your employees’ well-being not only makes you a considerate employer that people will want to work for, but an astute business person as well.
Here are 11 things you can do to help nurture happy and healthy employees:
#1 Use laughter to fight stress and tension
Promote laughter as a natural cure for stress. Set the example by smiling whenever you can. Consider holding laughter workshops, where people gather primarily for the purpose of laughing. Even though these may sound silly, they are to have positive effects on participants.
#2 Spend time outside with your colleagues
Spending time outside with colleagues gives everyone some exercise, promotes an active workplace culture and, at the same time, creates an opportunity for connection and deepening relationships between all staff.
#3 Bring chefs to the office to promote healthy eating
Cooking in the office is hugely popular and lots of fun! Invite people to come and learn to cook delicious, easy to prepare, healthy dishes. You can provide a healthy cooking course for staff or interested parties pool their resources.
#4 Hobby clubs to connect like-minded people
Bring together people who share a common interest or hobby. As they spend time together at work engaged in an activity they enjoy, they relax and have fun, strengthening relationships and improving staff cohesion.
#5 Personal growth training courses
Encourage your employees to work on their personal growth by offering free courses on personal development and growth. We have a huge network of facilitators who provide a wide range of personal development and growth workshops. Choose the one that suits you and your organisation’s culture best.
#6 Use lunchtime breaks to get some exercise
Take your team out for a brisk walk during lunch; it doesn’t have to be far or for too long. Fresh air helps us to relax and clears the mind. Everyone will feel more refreshed to take on the rest of the day’s work. You can make a pledge to walk every lunch time, or a certain number of days per week.
#7 Ride a bike to work
Cycling is an amazing way boost to your physical fitness as well as being eco-friendly. Encourage employees who live within a reasonable distance to ride to work. You could also offer incentives for those who choose to cycle to work, such as trade-ins or offers for buying new bikes.
#8 Drink water…then drink some more
Drinking a lot of water every day is vital to maintaining good health. However, even with the best of intentions, it’s often easier said than done! Post eye-catching reminders by the water cooler or set yourself reminders on your phone or in your calendar to remind you of the importance of staying hydrated.
#9 Improve workplace hygiene by improving bathroom hygiene
Did you know that workplace hygiene levels greatly depend on your bathroom facilities? Weekly, fortnightly or monthly cleaning services are a great investment, and you can easily maintain high standards of hygiene by:
- Regular daily cleaning
- Keeping soap and hand sanitiser dispensers full
- Regularly cleaning uniforms
- Putting up reminders around the office to keep clean at all times
#10 Ensure good air quality in the office
The air quality of your office is extremely important to the overall health of the people working in it. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) leads to headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating and eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation.
#11 Stand up!
Interrupt longer sitting sessions by standing up and stretching. Consider installing standing desks around the office for staff to use.
Implementing even a few of these steps will make a big difference to employee wellbeing and productivity levels.
