In a leadership position, it’s your responsibility to listen to what your team needs for a healthy workplace environment. Employees are, after all, the heart of the company and the best ambassadors for your brand. Taking care of the office environment will not only improve the overall mood at work, but will increase employee loyalty, work productivity, and team relationships.
Globofoce conducted a study with 23, 000 employees of various industries in 45 different countries for their Employee Experience Index. The study uncovered 5 core facets employees deemed essential for fostering a positive work environment.
1. Belonging
Employees want to connect with the people, organisation, and the team they work with. Having cultural fit is a huge aspect of feeling that sense of belonging.
2. Purpose
People want to know that the work that they do matters.
3. Achievement
Recognition of hard work provides validation that the work they do is appreciated.
4. Happiness
The desire to be in the working environment because it’s a positive space contributes to employee job satisfaction.
5. Vigour
Moods and attitudes are contagious. The presence of enthusiasm and excitement at work fosters the best environment for productivity.
What are some changes you can implement today in the workplace to foster a healthier work environment for your team? Our list may seem like little things, but trust us–they all add up to big changes. You’ll find these points come down to active listening, opening lines of communication, and nipping out negative attitudes at the bud.
Communicate your expectations and keep it consistent
Set clear and reasonable expectations to clear up any of the guesswork. It’s helpful for everyone to know what’s expected of their work and provide consistency on how performance will be evaluated.
Provide feedback
Regular feedback ties into setting clear expectations for your team. Feedback is crucial for growth and improvement. Make sure you’re having conversations in a positive tone, and offer that support for improvement if need be.
Recognise a job well done
Appreciation for a job well done is always welcome. In the Globeforce study, only 24% of employees felt satisfied with the level of recognition they receive at work. We can improve on this statistic in the workplace by giving credit where it’s due, rewarding incentives or simply taking out a team member for lunch.
Offer challenges and development opportunities
The work days can feel long and mundane for everyone when the office feels like an assembly line: pushing work in and out without a challenge. Create some excitement that stimulates professional growth. Find ways to develop your employee’s skills by assigning jobs unique to each team member’s abilities and career aspirations.
On the job training, reimbursements for classes and continued education, networking events, and mentorship programs are a few ways to expose employees to new development opportunities. Investments in your employees are an investment in the growth of your company.
Give your employees autonomy
I’m sure many of us can relate to having bosses who have micromanaged our work. Micromanagement is up there on the list of management faux pas because it often leads to resentment and negativity. Give your employees space to make their own choices on the projects you’ve assigned them.
When people are in control of the work they do, they tend to care more about the outcome and are proud of the results that follow in its success. Handing over the wheel demonstrates the trust in your employees’ skills and judgement, and it’s an excellent way to show them that you appreciate their initiative and work ethic.
Provide work-life balance with flexibility
The 9-5 business model is overrated. Employees today are looking for that work-life balance, and it’s up to every individual to define and negotiate that balance with their employers. For the most part, people want to work flexible hours to ease the conflict of between work and family life. Consider finding ways to accommodate employees’ obligations to best suit work productivity.