Keeping Staff Happy in the Modern Working World

It’s no secret that the modern working world is tough. With ever-changing technology and a competitive job market, it can be hard to keep your staff happy. However, with the right approach, it is possible…and here are some ideas.
Show Appreciation
If recent years have taught us anything, it’s that modern workers don’t necessarily follow the money. Instead, they’re looking for a job that offers appreciation and respect. If you want to keep your staff happy, show them some appreciation. Something as simple as a thank-you card or an e-mail can go a long way.
Wherever possible, you could also show your appreciation in the form of perks like flexible hours, additional vacation days, or company-wide events.
Encourage Positivity
It’s no secret that negativity breeds more negativity. If you want to keep your staff happy, it’s important to encourage a positive work environment. One way to do this is by setting up regular team-building activities. These don’t have to be anything fancy; something as simple as a group lunch or an after-work drink can help build camaraderie and positivity.
Another way to encourage a positive work environment is to be positive yourself. As the saying goes, “If the leader isn’t happy, nobody’s happy.” If you want your staff to enjoy coming to work, you need to set an example. Smile, be friendly and upbeat, and try to make work enjoyable. Of course, this isn’t always possible – but it’s important to at least try.
Make Them Comfortable
Showing appreciation and encouraging positivity will go a long way, but we’re talking physically here. Nobody wants to work in an uncomfortable environment, so do what you can to make sure your office or workspace is a comfortable place to be. For example, if you can control the temperature, make sure it’s not too hot or too cold.
Elsewhere, if your employees are sitting at desks all day, make sure their chairs are comfortable and that they have enough space to move around. With an Eames chair and comfortable desk, you’ll put smiles on faces (and they’ll take less time off work!). Wherever possible, try to let them work outside or in other areas where they won’t feel so claustrophobic. If we’ve learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that people work well from home, and when they’re allowed to control their own schedules.
Give Them Opportunities to Grow
Over the years, one of the biggest reasons for employees leaving companies is a lack of growth opportunities. If someone feels like they’re stuck in a dead-end job, it’s only natural that they’ll start to look for a way out.
The best way to combat this is to give your employees opportunities to grow within the company. This could be in the form of training, mentorship programs, or simply offering them more responsibility. By doing this, you’re not only keeping your staff happy, but you’re also ensuring that your company has a pipeline of talent ready to step up when needed.
Support Local Causes
Remember, employees are people too. They have families, friends, and interests outside of work. So, why not show them that you care about the things that they care about? If possible, support local causes that your employees are passionate about. This could be anything from volunteering at a local food bank to sponsoring a charity event. By doing this, you’re showing your employees that you care about more than just their work – you care about their community and lives. Suddenly, they will feel proud to work for the company.