As a businessperson, you'll likely want to know how to keep your employees happy to reduce employee turnover. When a business is not paying enough attention to employee happiness, workers will quit and switch positions quickly, leading to a loss in time and money for employers that have to recover these losses. Practical measures to improve employee happiness represent a valiant effort to combat this effect of inaction.
This article will explore what employee happiness means, why it is important to a successful workplace, and some pertinent examples of how to improve employee happiness.
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What Employee Happiness Means
First off, it will be important to examine what truly makes an employee happy and what makes them stay in their position. Typically, this refers to how pleased any given employee is with their position. Let’s acknowledge that an employee’s priority tends to be money when they are looking for a job. While their pay and financial compensation is important to their satisfaction with their job, it is not everything or the ultimate solution to employee unhappiness. Many employees do want stability, and that is a great perk to offer them, of course. A sense of security while being employed with you is just one factor that can lead to someone being happy. You can learn how to increase employee engagement, but more must be offered for this feeling to last.
To have a tangible impact on employee happiness, you’ll want to determine how the employee views their job holistically. Are they consistently motivated to work with your organization? Maybe they are even excited to wake up in the morning to come to the office. That is what makes all the difference that an increase in pay or a promotion cannot fix. Get down to the core of your business and how it runs to really see how employee happiness can be improved.
Some brief examples of other aspects of employment that could lead to happiness include benefits, support for family members, career advancement opportunities, feedback, flexibility, and being in line with the company’s values. Too many employees feel like they are just one part of an assembly line or that they are just a number to their workplace to be exploited.
Your workplace should not be a restrictive environment that only stifles the potential of its employees. When employees see an effort being made to appeal to their needs, they will recognize the positives of working in your company and be happier as a result. Implementing a combination of the top job satisfaction factors in your organization and being aware of your employees’ biggest concerns could greatly increase the level of happiness with your organization. If employees are offered opportunities for growth and could picture a future working with you, that’s usually a good sign of their happiness.
The job market is constantly changing and is not the same as it was twenty or even ten years ago. It is the role of the company to adapt to whatever the employees need to maximize their happiness.
Why Employee Happiness Is Important
Employee happiness is crucial to the success and flourishing of any business endeavor. In theory, every business owner knows this, but what matters is the level of effort that the employer puts into making their employees happy. There are many instances of employers that slip in this area, leading to employee dissatisfaction, among other consequences. In the United States, about 45% of all employees are satisfied with their jobs, and only about 20% are passionate about their position.
Disregarding employee happiness and not putting it at one of the highest spots on your priority list could mean that you are beginning your business journey on the wrong foot. When your workers are not happy, what does that say about your workplace environment? Does this message contradict what your company’s intention is? What does all of this mean for the future of your company? These are questions to consider when evaluating the benefits of employee happiness in your organization.
Increased Employee Retention
One of the most important aspects of employee happiness is employee retention. Focusing on the happiness of your employees is one of the most dependable methods of how to retain your best employees. Employees who are happy are less likely to leave their position. If their needs are met, there is little reason for them to risk it all for another organization that does not provide the same level of services. Making sure your workplace is attractive in comparison to others will ensure your top employees remain with you. It is important to remember that yes, the job market is competitive for employees looking for work, but it is just as competitive for employers hiring the right talent. Do not take your employees for granted. That will only push good, perfectly serviceable employees out the door.
Less turnover is the primary goal when it comes to employee happiness. From a financial standpoint, having a revolving door of employees only means more time and money wasted for their training and onboarding. With devoted employees, the company’s overall revenue is spared the extra expense. While turnover is natural and happens in every workplace, there is an institutional failure somewhere when there are constant layoffs or quits. It also deteriorates morale when stable employees regularly witness other co-workers leaving and are then introduced to new workers coming in to replace them. This could be rather jarring for existing employees, who will question their position with you and possibly hand in their resignation pre-emptively.
Your goal as an employer is to create a better work environment, which will create less burnout and stress for everyone involved. Keep in mind that there are always measures to be taken to reduce employee turnover and raise happiness in your workplace. Having a focus on employee happiness is broad and can take many forms, but with the implementation of innovative employee retention strategies, you will keep your best employees satisfied.
Increased Productivity
If working conditions result in greater employee happiness, your business will be more productive as a whole. If employees are motivated, their work will be more impassioned and efficient. Effective employee motivation strategies are key to raising employee happiness in your institution. There will be a greater chance of success and achievement when employees feel like their employer is rooting for them and gives them the freedom to work in the ways they work best. When learning how to increase employee productivity, think about how your company’s infrastructure is organized and whether it is built to motivate employees to do their best. Make sure to have clear, defined roles. Everyone knows who to report to and when. Allow for flexibility as much as possible. Not everyone will be productive on the same exact days, places, and times, so people working when they want could increase their happiness.
Employees with more years under their belt are already knowledgeable about your company’s expectations. Your trained and experienced employees will be more likely to be productive in your business due to the time they have spent learning your operating procedures. This harkens back to employee retention because if no one stays long enough to hone that expertise, there is less productivity overall. There will also be employees dealing with adjusting to a new position or making mistakes, leading to less productivity. These instances are completely normal and both just part of the hiring process, but they should be minimized and not be repeated several times due to always having a new hire. Through employee happiness, the business will proceed as seamlessly as possible, and workers will be more productive, potential customers will be satisfied, and your purpose as an organization will be fulfilled.
How to Keep Your Employees Happy
Employee happiness is essential for retaining employees and increasing their productivity in the workplace, but it may be difficult to figure out where to start with practical measures to keep employees happy, since there are multiple options to choose from. Here are a few standout ways to keep a smile on the faces of your workers:
1. Employer Partnerships
Having an employer partnership with a consulting company such as BeMo Academic Consulting can provide high-quality support to your employees and their families by extension. In addition to various educational services, BeMo can help with career consulting, resume building, and job interview preparation. Employees and their family members/children will have access to online meetings with coaches seven days a week to help them with their respective academic or professional aspirations.
Through BeMo, employees benefit by having access to career advancement and professional development opportunities that lead to a world of possibilities. These non-traditional employee benefits improve attraction, retention, and remove unnecessary time spent on recruitment, helping employers focus on what matters most. With the benefit program, both employers and employees save money while navigating the complex admissions process of higher education for themselves and their families. It is a small investment that could go a long way for an organization looking to boost employee happiness.
2. Feedback Systems
Constant communication with employees is crucial to raising their happiness in the workplace. Receiving employee feedback through surveys or forms can pinpoint specific improvement areas and enable you to get started on addressing those issues as soon as they arise. Collect suggestions from employees and put yourself in their shoes when thinking about the roadblocks they may encounter at work. Knowing what your employees think about all aspects of your business can lead to resolving their particular needs and improving their happiness as a result.
Feedback is a two-way street and goes the other direction as well. Employees, especially those new to a role, like reassurance and receiving feedback from their superiors about how they are doing. Positive comments could lead to happier employees and better results, and noting where they have room to improve can indicate where they should focus their attention as they settle into your company.
Having a strong feedback system in your company is one the best business growth and development ideas. Feedback is a constant indicator of whether or not your employees are happy working for you.
3. Reward Systems
Jobs well done should be rewarded to encourage a positive work environment in your organization. The best employee reward systems will attract applicants and retain the top talent you hire. Rewards provide an incentive for employees to perform better and put out quality work. It is a small way to give back to your workers for the effort they put in every day. Rewards will break up the repetitive cycle that full-time workers often feel when they have been with the same company for a while. They keep the workplace fresh and new while providing the opportunity for healthy competition.
Rewards could be performance-based for a specific event or contest or simply meant to highlight a stellar employee. Rewards can vary from a moment of praise or recognition to company merchandise. They could also be much bigger in scale or have monetary value, such as gift cards, a raise, promotion, or a paid weekend vacation. Perks or unique employee benefits, such as additional perks, benefits, professional development, and education opportunities, could also act as rewards. All these options are great rewards that could lead to an increase in employee happiness and enjoyment of their time working with you.
4. Support Systems
It may sound obvious but caring about your employees will go a long way in terms of increasing their happiness. In larger companies, employees could feel like a drop in the bucket, so it is important to keep their best interests at heart.
Once again, there are a few ways to support employees in this way through creative employee benefits. Mentorships or shadowing between staff could be helpful for someone wanting to learn and bounce ideas off another worker they can relate to. Health and dental benefits cover some necessary expenses and show your interest in making sure your employees can access basic health needs. In tandem with health and dental benefits, offering the choice to access mental health counselling if necessary is a really beneficial service that may not be as apparent to employers. Depending on the field, certain positions could be very stressful and may be difficult for employees to process on their own. Giving employees the opportunity to seek help, should they need it, will increase their motivation and potential happiness with their position.
5. Value Systems
Make your business stand out from others by reaching beyond your office walls. Rethink your company’s values and outlook on how you want to run your organization. Your company culture should run through every aspect of your business to remain consistent. Think about the ideal employee and what qualities you want them to have, some of which will be non-negotiable, while others will be more malleable. If they do not immediately demonstrate coachability, allow them the chance to learn to become better contributors to their position by having higher-ups in your organization model essential qualities.
Remember to be a team of people inching toward a common goal and push forth this philosophy. When employees feel like they are part of a larger mission with real-world implications, they are more likely to stay dedicated to achieving these targets. Benefits, rewards, and perks should also be in line with these values. For instance, a company in the travel industry could offer deals on flights or decrease travel expenses for their workers. Not doing so may appear hypocritical to current and future employees. Having set values as a company and sticking to them shows reliability and will lead to happier employees as a result.
Conclusion
There is no all-inclusive solution to increasing employee happiness. Most of the time, it will be the concurrent implementation of several measures all working together to ensure the satisfaction of employees. Part of your role as an employer is to know your employees, their demographics, and what they need to make working with you as fulfilling as possible.
There can be negative consequences when employee happiness is not a main priority. Employees help run a business efficiently, and there is a problem somewhere if a large number of workers are not satisfied with their employment or are leaving. When your organization is putting employees first, it may not be evident immediately, but in time you will be a competitive employer that keeps its best employees and runs smoothly.
FAQs
1. What does employee happiness mean?
Employee happiness refers to the level of satisfaction or pleasure that an employee feels in their job. If an employee is happy, they are more likely to be productive and motivated to produce the best output. When employees are unhappy, they are more likely to resign from their roles or be less productive.
2. Why is employee happiness important for employers?
Better performance comes when employees are happy in their roles. To create a workplace that is successful, employee happiness should be at least a concern for employers. Happy employees will be more loyal, leading to better retention rates, which saves the company time and money. They will become team players who will think not only of your company’s best interests, but of their fellow employees as well. Morale will be higher with a team of satisfied employees, leading to a more positive workplace overall.
3. How do I find out whether employees are happy in my company?
Providing an opportunity for employees to deliver honest feedback on every aspect of your business will clearly outline their potential issues with your process. Newer employees may fear being honest because they want to make a good first impression, so being as transparent as possible will encourage them to confide in you.
It may also be obvious through an employee’s behavior that they are not happy. If they are only doing the bare minimum or seem to not be as engaged in the work as they used to be, they may also be unhappy with the current state of your company.
4. Are higher raises and salaries the best way to make employees happy?
They are one really effective way because employees are searching for stability and security, but money is not everything when it comes to employee happiness in the workplace. If nothing else changes or no other concerns are addressed, money will not be a bandage for the problem. Increasing the number of perks, benefits, and services may make more of a difference in the long run for your business.
5. If my employees seem happy, do I need to pay much attention to implementing new measures?
Your company may not need immediate action, but employee happiness should always be part of the conversation. Just because employees seem happy now does not mean that circumstances won’t change. Ensuring employee happiness is a never-ending process that needs constant updating and addressing. There is also always room for improvement, and if you give your employees the floor to voice their concerns, they will likely provide some good suggestions.
6. What practical measures do I start with to make my employees happier?
It depends on your industry or the needs of your employees, but it is always beneficial to think about how your employees could benefit from working with you. Having some training and development activities for employees to offer may be an incentive for them to become more skilled and confident in the work they put out. Rewards, benefits, and additional perks for being a loyal employee will also keep your staff happy.
7. How will companies such as BeMo Academic Consulting help with employee happiness?
A consulting service such as BeMo could help both your business and your employees. Offering a professional development opportunity with BeMo will increase applications from top-quality applicants and help retain employees.
Employees will save time and money on consulting services, as they are being offered through their workplace. They can advance their careers or pursue further education while connecting with trained experts. Family members and children could also benefit from academic or professional consulting to help with their aspirations, making this one of the best family-friendly employee benefits. For example, if a family member wants medical school application help, BeMo will provide unlimited private virtual coaching for them to achieve their goal, simply by being associated with you.
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