Surveys tell us that happy employees are 12% more productive than unhappy employees, happy salespeople produce 37% greater in sales than those who are unhappy, and employees who feel happy in the workplace take 10 times fewer sick days than those who are unhappy. Additionally, 67% of employees say their jobs are important to their overall happiness.
While debate roils around whether happier employees are more engaged in their work, there is no debate around the concept that keeping employees happy and engaged in their job will increase employee retention. So, if you could do something to encourage more employee productivity, have employees take fewer sick days, and keep experienced employees working at your company longer – would you do it? We think you would.
Five Ways to Get and Keep Happy Employees
It is important to provide a workplace that is challenging, productive, and generally happy. This is both a job that you, as an employer, must undertake and your hiring department should consider. Here are ten ways you and your HR managers can work to both hire happy and engaged employees – and then keep them that way.
1. Hire people that are qualified for their jobs.
This may seem like an obvious way to get productive – and thereby happy – people into your company, but it’s one that is commonly misdefined. A “qualified person” can mean many things to HR. It could be that your company has an entry-level position open – so the idea of a “qualified person” may be any individual who can show up on time.
Instead of encouraging HR or your hiring staff to only look at the duties that need to be covered, have them consider what else would qualify a person to work at your company. It may be that you’d like your newest employees to be outgoing and have goals for their future careers. Or it could be that you’re looking for someone with excellent time management skills.
Breaking down job qualifications can help your HR department hire the right people for an overall cohesive team.
2. Offer job training.
Employee training pays off in spades. Statistics show that employees who are properly trained, provided with the right equipment, and who know they can count on competent colleagues are about 80% happier at work than those who have to flounder around at the office. Additionally, trained employees are more likely to be engaged in their job – doing high-quality work with efficiency.
All of this is to say: supporting on-the-job training or even paying for employees to go to special classes or conventions can provide you with an excellent return on investment.
3. Foster a collaborative and productive work environment.
An office is more than just a disparate bunch of specialists collected in one room. Your business is a group of specially trained people who are willing and able to work together toward one goal. With this in mind, it should be simple for your business to come together as a team and build a great company.
4. Find out what each employee enjoys doing most or is most passionate about doing in your company – and help them achieve that position or goal.
Let’s face it, not everyone has the opportunity to work in the field or job in which they are passionate. When you ask many people who they ended up on their career trajectory, many will say that they found out they were good at the job they were assigned or that it seemed like the most sensible way to make money.
These are both fine reasons to be working in a specific job. However, they won’t get employees fired up about their place within your business. To do that, you need to find out what gets your employees excited and see if they can add in those passion projects or work toward achieving that position within your company.
For example, if you have a salesperson with a passion for writing copy, see how you can harness this excitement. That salesperson may be able to write the best follow-up emails, ever. He or she may even be able to write such excellent copy that it seems natural to transition the salesperson to the marketing department. Not only would that likely make your employee happier, but your company benefits from getting a devoted copywriter from the transition.
5. Take time out to talk to and get to know your employees.
It can be really hard to find time to have a sit down with every employee. Fortunately, you as the business owner don’t have to. Instead, make sure your team leads and executives spend time each week talking to their employees. The personal touch can help employees feel heard and understand.
Additionally, instead of making checking in with employees a “to do,” your company executives can use our ten methods for praising employees effectively to actively encourage employees throughout the weeks and months.
The above are very simple and effective solutions for creating a happier, more productive workplace. Here at the Business Success Consulting Group, we provide many solutions for busy executives to create a better, more productive work environment. Not only have we written extensively on this subject, we provide executive coaching and HR consulting to help businesses create the best and most productive work environment possible for their employees.
If you are looking to create a happy and productive work environment, contact us today to schedule a free analysis. Send an email to info@bizsuccesscg.com requesting one now.
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