Revealed: how can employee happiness benefit your business?
In the last week of September 2023, organisations around the world will mark International Week of Happiness at Work. The annual campaign encourages everyone to put happiness at the top of the agenda and ensure that work is a great place to be for everyone.
Given how much time you and your employees spend at work, taking a week to focus on making the workplace a happier and more inspiring place to be makes sense. On a personal level, this can lower stress, boost creativity, and even make you healthier. Subsequently, your business can benefit from a more productive and loyal workforce.
Read on to learn more about why the International Week of Happiness at Work is so important, and discover four practical ways to boost happiness in your creative business.
Employee happiness has a direct impact on creativity and productivity
According to the results of a study by the University of Warwick, employee happiness can directly affect the productivity of your workforce.
They discovered that employees who felt happier were 12% more productive. One of the authors of the study, Dr Sgroi, explained, “The driving force seems to be that happier workers use the time they have more effectively, increasing the pace at which they can work without sacrificing quality.”
Happy employees are also more likely to be able to engage with innovative and creative ideas – an absolute must for businesses in the creative sector.
Additionally, engaged and upbeat employees are more likely to remain loyal to the company. This can reduce staff turnover and be an asset when it comes to recruitment.
4 practical ways to help your employees to be happier at work
If you’d like to boost your employees’ happiness and reap the benefits for both individuals and the whole business, here are some practical ways you can get started.
1. Encourage positive feedback and gratitude
Everyone likes to feel seen and appreciated. Encouraging employees to submit positive feedback about their colleagues can be a small change that makes a big difference to someone’s day.
An easy way to do this is to lead by example. Use meetings or company-wide messages to mention how someone has gone above and beyond to help another person or support the business.
You could even start an “employee of the month” initiative for colleagues to submit their comments as to why an individual deserves recognition. Sharing these lovely comments is an easy way to put a smile on someone’s face.
2. Arrange inclusive social events
The Mayo Clinic reports that socialising on a regular basis improves feelings of happiness and wellbeing as well as reducing the risk of loneliness, mental health disorders, and physical illness. So, hosting regular events where your employees can have a relaxed conversation could be a big help in boosting employee happiness.
These don’t need to be formal occasions. Perhaps you could create a lunch club for employees who’d like to go out to eat together once a week. Quizzes, bake-offs, and board games are other ways to create a fun environment for socialising after work.
3. Discuss opportunities for progression
For many people, feeling that they are doing meaningful work and progressing in their career is an important part of being happy and fulfilled. So, speaking to your employees about the steps they can take towards fulfilling their ambitions can make a big difference.
Regular meetings to review progress and set new targets could empower your employees and help them to feel more satisfied in the work they are doing.
4. Ask your team for their opinions on how you could improve your business
Giving your employees the opportunity to voice their opinions is a great way to help them to feel valued and listened to. It also enables you to make positive changes in the business that reflect the values and priorities of those who work there.
There are lots of different ways to ask your employees about their opinion. You could use:
- Focus groups to consult on a specific issue
- Regular employee surveys that keep answers anonymous
- Employee representatives who can pass on feedback from a wider group.
It’s important to collect feedback like this from your employees regularly, and to provide updates about the changes you’ve made to address any concerns or ideas that are raised. This will help your staff to know that they are valued and that their voice matters.
Get in touch
A happy workplace is an important thing to protect. If you run a creative business and want to be sure it’s protected from the unique risks you face, please get in touch.
We can help you to find the right insurance for your needs so that you can focus on the parts of your job that bring you the most joy.
Email creative@eggarforrester.com or use our contact form to request a callback from our team.
