A business that doesn’t care about the welfare of its employees is doomed to fail. There’s a reason why large brands go above and beyond regarding compensation and benefits, workplace culture, and work-life balance. If they can’t retain their top talent, then the company suffers. One thing is clear: if you want your business to grow, you need to keep your employees happy.
After all, any person would feel more motivated to do better at their job if their health insurance covered surgical treatment for glaucoma. Unfortunately, not all businesses can afford to extend generous benefits packages to their employees. That said, the lack of resources shouldn’t hinder you from improving workplace culture.
Even small actions can have a big impact on your business. If you want to make your employees feel more motivated and happy, you need to start with their work. Here are a few changes you can make to improve workplace morale.
1. You are what you breathe
A healthier workplace makes for healthier employees. And a healthy employee is more productive. If the workplace’s air quality is poor, it could affect business productivity and even your employees’ well-being. Architects have reported that poor design can contribute to workplace illnesses. For instance, a shoddy ventilation system prevents proper airflow, leading to increased humidity and mold growth.
The easiest way to improve workplace air quality is to clean and upgrade the ventilation system. You may also want to invest in air purifiers to remove dust, pollen, and other particulates from the air. On a good day, you may even want to open the windows to let light and fresh air into the office.
2. Utilize natural light
Office spaces can be easily improved by improving access to natural light. According to health experts, exposure to natural light can help fix a broken sleep schedule, increase vitamin D levels, and prevent feelings of loneliness or sadness. I’m not saying you need to turn off all office lights, but you stand to benefit from opening the windows once in a while.
If that doesn’t convince you, maybe the savings you get from lower power consumption might get you to reconsider. You can minimize power consumption during the day by taking advantage of the natural light from the windows. If possible, only use artificial lighting for enclosed areas.
3. Foster a culture of creativity
Creativity isn’t just for the arts. Even so-called serious businesses can benefit from a boost of creative wisdom. Employees who can express their creativity are more likely to think of out-of-the-box solutions to common problems. The best way to do that is to foster a culture of creativity within the workplace. For instance, you can create a dedicated room for brainstorming solutions.
4. Consider everyone’s needs
Ensuring a healthy workplace is a balancing act. You need to take into account the personalities of all your employees. If you let one type dominate the other, it could lead to dissatisfaction and lower productivity. For instance, noise tends to pick up during periods of elevated activity. But you can’t assume that everyone can thrive in chaos. Some employees require a quiet environment to accomplish their tasks.
To keep everyone happy, you may want to assign quiet workspaces for employees who prefer to work in silence. Some offices even have soundproof rooms to temporarily house teams that need silence and focus.
5. Ensure open communication
The foundation of a happy and productive workplace is open communication. If employees can’t express their opinions, there’s a chance you won’t get the feedback you need. Nobody wants to work in an environment where you have to tiptoe around certain people. You want every employee to feel like they’re a part of the team, and the best way to do that is to ensure that they can voice what they think or feel without fear of reprisal.
For instance, even a small gesture such as leaving office doors open can help foster free communication. Your employees will feel lighter around you if they can see you working. The goal is to remove any obstacles between management and rank-and-file employees that prevent honest feedback.
The bottom line
These five strategies will help you improve workplace morale and keep your employees happy. The key to business growth is to invest in your employees. Their success is your success, and their happiness is your happiness.
