52.3% of those living in America are not happy with their jobs. According to a recent report from The Conference Board, a large majority of U.S. based workers had various complaints about their office, workmates, and bosses. Since 1987, the non-profit organization had been running the same survey and found that job satisfaction had been continuously declining year after year.
While it’s natural for employees to dislike Mondays, developing contempt towards their jobs is anything but beneficial — both for their careers and for the company they’re working at. An unmotivated, unsatisfied, and generally unhappy employee can bring your whole team down. This can directly affect your business’ productivity and expedience.
As a leader, it is your responsibility to ensure that your business runs as smoothly as a well-oiled machine. Every employee plays their own vital roles in the organization. When your employees feel unhappy, what can you do about it? If your office gives off a vibe of dysphoria, then here are the top 5 Ways to Boost Office Happiness.
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Do not micromanage
If you, or any of the supervisors and team leaders like to nitpick on every single detail, then chances are you’re the one causing the problem. According to employees, having a boss who micromanages their tasks and points out even the smallest of flaws is one of the main reasons for the low morale and motivation in the workplace.
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Keep the temperature cool, but not cold
Thermal comfort is actually a major factor that can increase or decrease your team’s productivity. The ambient temperature inside an office should be comfortable enough for workers to keep working. A warm office can make workers feel tired while a cold office can make workers feel restless and sleepy.
The optimal office temperature should be around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 to 21 degrees celsius.
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Promote silliness
An quiet and uptight work environment may appear to promote productivity at first glance, but being too serious can only lower the mood. Some supervisors act like all-seeing dictators that’s ready to crack the whip at the sight of a single smile. Don’t be like that. By setting an example of being silly (when appropriate), you’re reducing the stress of your employees and they’re more likely to emulate the behavior.
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Give them space
Nobody likes working in a cramped office. Giving employees sufficient room to work can boost productivity and prevent them from feeling stressed. By setting up a good layout for your office, your workers will work more efficiently and they’d be a lot happier. Imagine sitting at a workstation for 8 to 9 hours a day while sharing the breathing space with a co-worker. Doesn’t seem very appealing? Because it’s not.
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Provide the right tools
In business, each employee should have the appropriate tools to expedite their workflow. Unfortunately, many SME’s do not have enough resources to be able to afford the latest equipment for their staff. To remedy this, some entrepreneurs decided to outsource some of their business functions to other companies that can provide their workers with all the tools necessary to do the job well.
Providing a positive workplace for your staff is vital if you want to ensure the future of your organization. Simply follow the tips above and you’ll soon develop a happy work culture that will directly boost productivity.